VERTIGO

Chapter 9

Chapter 9

    She’s running towards him, so he turns around. Before his brain can even begin to comprehend, she’s met him in a fiery, passionate kiss that erases all thoughts from his mind, leaving only feelings and sensations turned on overdrive. He groans as the full weight of her body slams into him, sending him staggering a few steps backward. The taste of her on his lips while she runs her fingers through his hair, the sound of her breathing intertwined with her voice, past and present… God, this is too much.

    Slowly, she breaks away, breathless.

    “This is not the way things are supposed to go,” Chaslynn whispers.

    Landon grins and tucks a flyaway strand of hair behind her ear.

    “We’ve got to take it slow,” she insists.

    “But…” Landon prompts her with a wry smile.

    “But I think I’m in love with you,” Chaslynn finishes, and Landon laughs softly, pulling her close for another kiss.

…

    It’s about midnight, and Chaslynn can’t sleep. Landon slumbers peacefully beside her, arm wrapped around her waist, keeping her close. He’s afraid to let go. I’m afraid to stay. I don’t know if I can-

    Landon stiffens, tightening his grip around her. He mumbles something Chaslynn can’t understand, and she attempts to wiggle out of his choking embrace, but he only holds on tighter. It must be a nightmare.

    Gently, she shakes him, and Landon snaps up, releasing Chaslynn. She falls back, unprepared.

    “Chaslynn?”  he says, his broken whisper breaking her concerned silence.
   
    She sits up, putting a hand on his shoulder.

    “Were you having a nightmare?” she whispers back to him, and he shifts uncomfortably.

    “I… I don’t want to talk about it,” he says softly, and Chaslynn envelopes him in a hug, stroking his hair.

    “You don’t have to,” she murmurs, and Landon gently breaks away. Chaslynn searches his eyes for a moment, looking for an explanation, but he only smiles and puts a hand on her cheek, caressing it with his thumb.

    “I must be the luckiest man alive,” he laughs softly, and kisses her, sending jolts of nervous energy throughout her entire body.

    Chaslynn breaks away with a nervous laugh. “Only if you say so.”

    He grins mischievously, and pulls her back down with him on the bed, and is soon asleep again. How can he still fall asleep that easily?  Chaslynn ponders this question over and over again, until, at last, she falls into a restless sleep in his arms.