A Sokeefe Engagement

Chapter 6 - Keefe

We arrived at the Shores of Solace moments later. "Daddy-o is off on assignment this week." I explained. "We have the swing and the house all to ourselves."

She smiled and I felt her relief and comfort wash over me. As a couple, we had spent hours on the nearby porch swing. It offered the best view of the ocean and had been the setting for many a past conversation and make out session.

"So...where were we?" I gave her my most dazzling smile. "As I recall, you were holding onto my arms and swooning." A little frown appeared between her eyebrows; she was so easy to tease.

But any annoyance on her face was quickly replaced with a perfectly arched eyebrow and a sugary smile. "Actually, I think I was in the middle of making you weak in the knees." she corrected.

"Hey!" I gasped with feigned outrage . "No reading minds without permission, Foster."

She grinned, "I don't need to read minds when I've got my boyfriend pushing me against a tree so he doesn't fall over."

I started to object, but realized it was a losing battle. "Fine." I admitted. "I was definitely more interested in kissing you than I was in fighting gravity."

She wrapped her arms around my neck, "That's a perfectly acceptable excuse."

I didn't have a smart response, so I kissed her instead. It was a convenient option to have at those moments.

I could tell she was more relaxed this time around. No thoughts of work, or being discovered in a passionate embrace in a dark garden. This time it was just us and the ocean. I remembered the ring in my cape and thought about timing. Was this the moment I'd been waiting for?

But before I could formulate a plan, Sophie shivered, and I could tell it wasn't because of anything I'd done. Letting go, I asked her, "Are you cold?" I rubbed her arms trying to generate some warmth.

She grimaced. "I know you really like this dress, Keefe. But it's much colder here, and I'm freezing."

I felt horrible for not realizing sooner. Didn't she know I'd much rather she be warm and comfortable than shivering in a ball gown? But I just grabbed her hand and hurried her to my room. "I should have something warm you can change into."

I dug around in my closet until I found an old pair of pajamas that were too small for me. She giggled at the pattern. Aww, it's Krakie!"

I gently shoved her into the bathroom. "If you roll the pant legs up a couple of times, those should work."

She was back in my room a minute later, a sheepish look on her face. "Keefe? I need some help." She turned and pointed to the back of her dress. "I think the zipper's stuck."

My mouth went dry and I walked over, trying not to feel too excited to have an excuse to unzip her gorgeous gown and reveal more of her gorgeous self. I forced my hands to be steady as I grasped at the small metal tag that had snagged on some of the clingy fabric. A couple of wiggles and tug and it came free.

"Would you like me to unzip you while I'm at it?" I tried to say it nonchalantly, but I was really, really hoping she'd say yes.

Sophie nodded, and I slowly pulled the zipper down until it reached her lower back. It took all of my concentration to keep my fingers from following its path. To refrain from kissing the thin scar I knew was just under her right shoulder blade. To slide the zipper a little bit lower until I could see the gentle sway of her back as it rounded to the cutest -

"Keefe?" My runaway imagination was interrupted by her soft voice. "Are you done?"

I swallowed and stepped back. "Yep. You're good to go!"

"Thank you." she whispered, and then she was back in the bathroom, leaving me alone in my room with my racing thoughts.

I groaned and smacked myself in the head. Here I was, trying to create the perfect scene for a proposal, and my stupid hormones were getting in the way. I needed to focus. I needed to sit. I needed something to do with my hands. I searched my room until my eyes settled on Mrs Stinkbottom. I grabbed the so-ugly-it's-cute gulon, and squeezed her, closing my eyes and doing my best to clear my head.

I'd finally gotten my emotions back under control when Sophie stepped out of the bathroom, and any sense of composure I'd recovered deserted me again. I don't know why exactly, but whenever Sophie wears something of mine, she looks incredibly, effortlessly sexy. Doesn't even matter that my clothes are always ridiculously oversized on her. She smiled at the sight of Mrs Stinkbottom, but was clearly clueless about the effect she was having on me. I sat there, dumbfounded as she pulled the pins out of her hair. It seemed like she was moving in slow motion as she bent over to shake it out before flipping right side up again, letting the riot of soft waves bounce against her shoulders.

"Much better." She grinned at me. "Should we go back outside?"