Can't you feel my heart beating? (Gabenath)

Chapter 6

Gabriel wants to leave this room before she wakes.

He thinks he won't be able to stay here for much longer. His heart beats loudly and disturbingly inside his ears, and the blood rushes through his chest. He looks at her sleeping face, not being able to imagine how he'll ever speak to her again.

Last night was pure bliss for him, however now, he isn't too sure he made the right choice by following his instincts. Even if her body so close to his makes the bottom of his heart sprinkle with a light sensation of tenderness for her.

He slowly begins to sit up, trying to be as careful as possible in order to leave this room without altering her. Unfortunately, his attempt to run away seems to take her out of her sleeping state, so he quickly begins to reposition himself on the bed and closes his eyes.

He would rather pretend to be asleep than to have to interact with her when they're both so obviously undressed.

———

With his eyes still closed, Gabriel feels Nathalie's cool hand run gently across his bare chest. His heart almost skips a beat, and can't help but shiver at the sensation.
He thinks she must've noticed because she quickly moves her hand away from him, and begins to move from the bed.

He listens to the shuffling of fabric and lacing, and he realizes that he's got no other choice than to get up and face her.

Gabriel begins to stretch his arms out, pretending to leave his dozing state, and suddenly yawns very loudly. He rubs his eyes for a while, and when they finally find focus he finds Nathalie standing at the foot of the bed with a white robe on and staring straight at him.

"Are you going with me to Paul's house?" He suddenly asks her.

"Do you want me to go?" She says, trying to give him her most relaxed glare.

Gabriel feels stupid talking to her about something so random, but this all his mind could think of as he attempts to make the situation less awkward.

"If you'd like to come, I'll be leaving in an hour."
He sounds calm, but the truth is he is trembling on the inside.

"Okay, I'll get ready." And Gabriel watches as she walks into the bathroom, shutting the door behind her.

He lets his tense body fall back onto the bed as he gathers the sufficient amount of courage to act as normal as possible throughout the day. Because even if last night's events were something the both wanted, he can't deny the perfervid feeling of awkwardness that has taken over him since the moment he opened his eyes.

———

The water sweeps under her feet and down the drain. It's hot, maybe a little too hot. But her emotions are so strong that it makes it hard to be able to concentrate on anything else. She watches the steam travel from above the shower stall fogging up the mirrors and walls in an instant. The sweet scented bubbling foam covers her entire body from head to toe, as she carefully steps under the overly warm raindrops.

Her eyes are tightly closed as she washes the soap away, and sudden images of last night flash into her mind. Nathalie opens her eyes in fear, trying so hard to block yesterday's events. But even with her eyes open, she can still see him ... she can almost feel him.

The way he kissed her so passionately, and the way she responded to him just as fervently. She never imagined that under that stern personality of his lived such a passionate man, the thought of it makes her heart explode all over again.

He was so kind with her, and also so shy which made him even more adorable.

He was simply perfect.

However, now that the blissful moments are over, Nathalie isn't too sure she made the right decision. After all, this arrangement won't last forever. She'll eventually have to leave his home, and then she'll be obligated to bury her feelings deep down inside her heart.