Where I Belong

Part 24

"Leave it." Lindsey said, putting his arms around Stevie from behind, his chin resting on her shoulder.

"I'd rather do it now." Stevie disagreed, focusing on rinsing dishes before putting them in the dishwasher. 

"Come on, leave it." Lindsey repeated and reached to turn the water off. "I'll help, tomorrow." He added, lifting his head up slightly, he leaned in to press light kisses from her shoulder up to her neck.

"I'm afraid that if you help me, it's gonna end up a bigger mess." In spite of saying that, Stevie let him turn her around in his embrace, she lay her hands on his shoulder, smiling up at him. "What's gotten into you?"

Lindsey gently grasped her chin with his fingers and planted a kiss on her lips. "Your heart wants me, huh?"

"Oh..." Stevie lowered her eyes. "You heard that." 

"Mhm." Lindsey nodded, now holding her face in his hands, he kissed her again. "My heart wants you, too."

Stevie looked up at him, wrapping her arms around his middle. "What a coincidence." Another peck on the lips.

"And I love you, too." Lindsey continued. "I can't imagine living without you either." He echoed her words and captured her lips for a lingering kiss. 

"Mmm..." Stevie broke them apart, pushing him away just a little. "Maybe not here." She said, cupping his cheek. "We've been getting caught a lot lately."

Lindsey turned his head slightly and kissed her palm, wrapping his fingers around her wrist, he lowered their hands and laced his fingers through hers. "Am I staying the night then?"

"I don't know." Stevie shrugged. "If you prefer a cold, empty house..." She trailed off, teasing him.

"If it were up to me, I'd never go back." Lindsey courageously said and waited for her response. However, when the silence lasted a little too long, he spoke up again. "I didn't mean anything by that. I'm not-"

"Then don't." Stevie cut in. 

"Huh?" Lindsey was unable to hide the surprise on his face. "Wh-what do you mean?"

"That's exactly what I mean." Stevie shrugged, she lay her hands on his chest and they slowly slid up higher to his neck, she pulled him in closer. "I hate it when you have to leave." She cocked her head more to the left and reached up to kiss him. "It feels too much like an affair." She whispered as if afraid that someone would overhear them talking.

Lindsey took a small step closer, not an inch separating them now. "This is not an affair." He shook his head. "You hear me?" He pressed his finger against her chin and tilted her head up, eyes locked. "We're not a secret."

A smile spread on her lips, hearing him say that, she nodded. "We're not a secret." He moved in for a kiss, but she stopped him. "Though, until your divorce is finalized-"

"I know." Lindsey said. 

"I don't want people to think that I'm-"

"I know." He repeated, wishing for that day to come as soon as possible. He had to ask. "Were you being serious?"

"When?" Stevie seemed slightly confused.

"Just a moment ago." Lindsey clarified, at least he thought he did. He sighed, feeling stupid for bringing it up. "Were you seriously asking me to... to move in?"

Stevie chuckled lightly, lifting her arms up, she locked them around his neck. "Yes. You know me, I would never joke about something like that."

"Yeah, that's why I asked." Relieved, Lindsey smiled. "So, does this mean we're official now?"

"Oh, I don't know." Stevie replied, shaking her head. "Maybe we're moving too fast, I don't like labels."

"Stevie..." Lindsey whined, about to pull back, but she held onto him tighter.

"I think, we are." She said and started laughing, when he grabbed her hand and almost ran out of the kitchen, towards the stairs, as soon as those words passed her lips...