Look for the Light (Joel Miller fanfic)

Bubble Baths and Sweet Affections

                                                                                   Joel's POV

It was now the following Tuesday. The day you were supposed to go out on patrol with Tommy. You were standing in the kitchen and downing the last few drops of the warm coffee from your white coffee mug. Aly was standing at the counter, finishing off her own cup.

"Are you meeting Maria this morning?" you asked Aly, sliding your cup on the counter as you went to stand beside her.

"Yeah, she's going to show me around and get me acquainted with all the animals. I think I'm mainly going to be working with the horses since I have more experience with them."

"So, you get to work with animals after all. It might not be marine mammals, but you like horses right? I think you'll feel right at home," you said as you grazed against her purple flannel, lifting it just the slightest so you could connect with the warmth of her skin.

She reached out and grabbed your other hand, placing hers on top of yours. "I think it'll be good. It'll at least give me a little piece of mind that I can pitch in around here. Do you know how long you'll be gone this morning?" she asked as she took her index finger and trailed it across the top of your hand, making it hard to concentrate when her soft skin was sending tingles all through your arm.

"Anywhere from maybe three to five hours. It just depends if we come across anything. Think Tommy said last week they cleared out a bunch of infected, so hopefully it'll be smooth sailing today."

"Be careful, please," she pleaded as her dark blue eyes bore into you.

You took your hand and ran it gently across her cheek, stepping closer to her. "Always." You leaned down and kissed her softly, lingering there for a few seconds as the taste of cherries hit your mouth.

When you pulled back she was smiling. She was content with your answer and especially with the kiss. "I need to head out. Did Ellie say where she was going?" you asked as you zipped your tan jacket up and grabbed the rifle, strapping it around your back.

"She said she was going to meet up with Dina and Jesse. She's going to join me at the stables with Maria, so she's probably trying to get some friend time in before."

"Alright. Well, I'll see you in a few hours. Have fun at the stables. Tell Maria I said hi." You started walking out the door, but then Aly's voice stopped you.

"Miss you," Aly said quietly. You're not sure if she wanted you to hear her or not, but you turned around anyways and looked back her direction.

"I haven't even left the house yet, baby," you laughed lightly as you smiled at her.

She moved a lock of brunette hair behind her ear and looked down at the wooden floor, slightly blushing as crimson filled her cheeks. "I know, but still," she said nervously.

She looked back up at you and smiled shyly. Damn, she was cute when she was like that. Her blushing cheeks and nervous smiles and the way she'd play with her hair as she either twisted it around her finger or pushed her locks behind her ear. This girl would continuously make you late for things.

You wanted to go back over to her and wrap her in your arms and kiss her until you couldn't anymore. You were fighting even making yourself walk out that front door. You were about to turn back towards the door and walk out, but you stopped. Oh, hell. You turned back around and walked up to her, grabbing her face and planting your lips against hers, pushing her up against the counter so she couldn't move.

You held the back of her neck and pulled her closer, breathing in the fumes of coffee and lilac. Your two favorite smells. You stayed like that for a couple of minutes before you had to let go. You needed to head out, but you'd rather stay in the warm kitchen with her. You knew what that would lead to though. You were fighting every sense in your body not to lift her up on the counter and taste every inch of her again, but you didn't have time.