Before You Leave Me Today (a One Direction love story)

37. Kiss Me

Chapter 37:

My heart stops as the words escape his lips. Of course, I want to share my country with the girl I love. I look up at him after he speaks, my eyes widened with surprise.

  “Delilah Grace Morgan,” he says. “I love you,” he says those three words so quietly I almost didn’t hear them. His warm breath tickles my cheek as he whispers to me.

Since I told Perrie, El, and Dani that I loved Niall, I realized how true it actually is. I wasn’t quite sure when I told them, but I sure am now. Snuggled up next to him, I couldn’t imagine myself with anyone else on this Earth. Nothing else could be more perfect than this. I’ve known this boy personally for about 5 months, and I am already in love with him. We aren’t even in a relationship!

Every little thing he does makes my heart race. How he laughs so loudly at absolutely nothing. The way that little dimple appears when he’s really smiling on his left cheek. How his blue eyes sparkle when he laughs. How he is so proud of his country, and never ceases to let everyone know of his Irishess. The way he can act like a complete fool and still be goddamn sexy. The fact that I hear Niall Horan before I see him. How modest he is about himself and his appearance when he is the sexiest, most talented man I have ever met. How he can sit down and eat an entire meal, fit for seven people, without gaining an ounce of fat on his body. I can’t even describe all of his perfections.

As I think more and more about Niall, the more I fall in love with him. My body flutters with excitement. He looks down at me anxiously as I lose myself in thought. “I love you, too.” I say quietly. I can’t believe I said those words. I feel so nervous as my breathing speeds. He pulls me in and kisses the top of my head after I speak.

  “I can’t tell you how glad I am to hear that,” he says with a sigh of relief. “These last few weeks, Del, have been maddening.”

  “I know.”

  “I realized I loved you, and I didn’t know what to do,” he gushes. He lets out a sigh and starts to sing. “Like all those days and weeks and months I tried to steal a kiss, and all those sleepless nights and daydreams where I’d picture this. I’m just the underdog who finally got the girl, and I am not ashamed to tell it to the world.” His perfect voice fills my ears as he sings the lines of my favourite song straight to me, and only me.

  “Do you really mean that?” I ask. I could have never imagined a boy feeling that way about me. I’m just me. There’s nothing special, nothing lovely. I can’t believe the words I’m hearing.

  “Of course, Del.” He ends the conversation there as he pulls me against his shoulder once more. He hums the tune of Kiss Me, and starts to sing softly. “Settle down with me. Cover me up, cuddle me in. Lie down with me, and hold me, in your arms. And your heart’s against my chest, your lips pressed to my neck. I’ve fallen for your eyes, but they don’t know me yet.” His soft, perfect voice fills my ears and I shut my eyes. I could fall asleep like this every night. “Another feelin’ I won’t forget, I’m in love now. So kiss me, like you wanna be loved. You wanna be love, you wanna be loved. This feels like falling in love, falling in love, falling in love.”

Settle down with me, and I’ll be your safety, you’ll be my lady. I was made to keep your body warm, and I’m cold as, the wind blows, so hold me in your arms. I know, my heart’s against your chest, your lips pressed to my neck. I’ve fallen for your eyes, but they don’t know me yet. And with this feeling I won’t forget, I’m in love now.”

I close my eyes and listen to his perfect voice. I remember lying in my own bed, a thousand miles away from this boy, listening to his voice as I fell asleep. Did I ever find myself lying here beside him? Not in a million years.

Expect the unexpected, I think. I run my fingers over the smooth skin where my tattoo is. My motto inked into my skin will help me to never forget these moments.

  “Kiss me,” Niall whispers when he finishes singing. I open my eyes as he leans into me, pressing his lips against mine. His lips are so warm and soft that I almost shiver. His hand rests on the small of my back, bringing me closer to him, even though I’m practically as close as I can get to him. I can taste his lips, the sweetness lingering as we continue to kiss. He parts his lips and I can feel his tongue slide into my mouth. I’ve never kissed anyone like this, and I’ve never felt anything quite like this before. As I lie beside him, his arms holding me tight, my whole body is warm. My stomach flutters with butterflies and my heart pounds. A grin forms on my lips, and my cheeks fill with heat.

I can't imagine myself anywhere else than lying next to Niall. Everything else is irrelevant when I’m with him, and I can’t picture it any other way. I shut my eyes and let out a breath of air. “I love you, Niall.”

  “I love you more, Delilah.”

  “More than Nandos?”

  “More than food,” he says without hesitation.

  “Damn,” I say with a laugh. “You must love me a lot.”

  “I really do.” I can’t help but think how suddenly this all happened. I feel like just yesterday Harry spilled my Starbucks all over me, but it’s been almost half a year. I have become amazing friends with the 5 boys, but I never realized I’d fall in love with them. In the back of my mind I loved them with all of my heart, but I didn’t think I’d actually be in love with Niall. I especially didn’t think he’d love me back, not like this. I couldn’t ask for more right now.

I close my eyes again and snuggle into his shoulder, and fall asleep inhaling his scent.

   “Del.”

   “Del.”

  “Del.” Someone shakes my shoulder back and forth as I lay on the soft bed. Morning light brightens Niall’s room, and I can see his beautiful blue eyes looking down on me. His whole face illuminates in a wide smile when I open my eyes.

  “Hi, Ni,” I say returning his smile. My head still rests against his chest.

  “Will you make me breakfast?” he says with a pout.

  “Sure, Niall,” I say. I peel back the covers and swing my legs over the side of the tall bed. Niall grabs my wrist and pulls me back against his chest.

  “I guess it can wait,” he says with a slight blush.

We lay there for another hour or so, just snuggled up against each other. We talk a little, but mostly Niall just holds me. It feels so amazing to be here in his arms.

Niall carries me into the kitchen bridal style and sets me down in front of the fridge. Louis and Harry sit on the couch in the living room, but Zayn and Liam must be asleep with their girlfriends still.

  “Where’s El?” I ask Lou as I start to pull ingredients from the fridge.

  “She went on a Starbucks run,” Louis says.

  “STARBUCKS!” Niall yells.

  “Oh, does Nando’s have a little competition?” Harry says cheekily.

Niall’s jaw drops as he glares at Harry. “Don’t even say that, Harold.”

Louis laughs loudly and Niall joins in. I whip up a stack of waffles for Niall and I and set the huge platter down in the center of the table. Niall runs over and takes a seat beside me. I pour us both some orange juice.

Niall shovels in bites of waffle with barely any time to breathe in between. He sighs loudly and mutters, “Marry me.”

I look at him. “What?”

  “You make a damn good waffle.”

  “I make a damn good everything…”

  “That’s what—“Harry starts.

  “SHE SAID!” Louis finishes.

Niall blushes bright red so he shovels in more food. He takes a giant gulp of his juice, and before I know it, his plate is clean. I could cook for this boy for my whole life, I think with a smile.

  “Go get dressed, Del, we’re going on a date,” Niall says. He pulls me from my seat and throws me over his shoulder. When we reach my bedroom door he kisses my forehead and makes his way to his own room.