Whatever It Takes

Vanilla

I was slow to wake, trying to get a bearing of my surroundings. It felt early – I glanced at my clock, raising my eyebrows when I noticed it was six in the morning. I blinked my eyes hard and stretched my arms out. I took in a sharp breath when I felt my back press into someone. Eddie took in a deep breath and slipped his hand around my waist. My heart fluttered in my chest when he pulled me close to him and he buried his face in the back of my neck.

"Morning," he rasped. He kissed my shoulder gently, making my stomach flip.

I didn't know what to do. This was a confusing new territory for me – I definitely didn't hate Eddie anymore. I liked him, and I couldn't believe that he returned my feelings. My brain was at war with my racing heart in an effort to protect me, pitting my old grudges against my new romantic feelings for him. He moved to set his chin on my shoulder and kissed my cheek.

"Are you awake?" he asked quietly. His voice was sweet and nervous, like he was worried I was ignoring him.

I rolled over to him, setting my arm around the back of his neck. He was beaming at me, his smile goofy and excited. He reached out and tucked a curl behind my ear. I finally smiled back at him, and he leaned in to kiss my forehead. I closed my eyes, enjoying his touch. He pulled back and started scratching my back softly.

"You're not very chatty in the morning," he commented. My mouth twitched into a bigger smile – he wasn't wrong. Instead of answering, I pulled him to my lips and kissed him.

God, Eddie was a fantastic kisser. He was really a fantastic everything – I was shocked by how much I had enjoyed last night. He was gentle and light with how he touched me, telling how much he liked me or how beautiful he thought I was. We pulled back from each other – Eddie looked like he had won the lottery with how big his smile was.

"What did you mean last night?" I asked abruptly. He furrowed his brows.

"What part of last night?" he questioned back. I pursed my lips.

"You kept telling me how long you have wanted this. That you've wanted it for forever," I explained. He turned bright red and started stammering. I smiled and pulled him in for another kiss. "Take a breath."

"Um, I may...I may have liked you...for a while," he stammered. I stayed quiet, wanting him to explain further. He turned an even darker shade of red, if that was even possible, and buried his face in my neck. "I've liked you for a long time."

"Since when?" I pushed. He sighed heavily and rolled over, staring up at the ceiling. I set my hand on his chest, and he smiled in spite of his embarrassment. He finally looked at me.

"Since you interrupted Hellfire," he answered. I furrowed my brows and shook my head.

"Wait, since the first time we met?" I asked, confounded by his confession. He smiled nervously.

"Yeah...you made an impression," he admitted. I shook my head.

"Why were you such a horrific asshole? For years?" I exclaimed. He shrugged.

"I just matched your energy! I've tried to win you over for forever," he insisted. "Why do you think I try to crash every single Henderson event when you're in town? I don't go to nearly as many Sunday night dinners since you moved to Texas."

I smiled at him. Things made a little more sense now. His insistence on always joining my family for things. How he always managed to sit by me at family dinners. I pressed my lips to his, and he pulled me tight. He pulled back and smiled at me.

"How long have you liked me?" he asked. I smirked.

"Who says I like you?" I quipped.

He rolled his eyes and kissed me hard. I felt myself melt into him and I laced my fingers in his hair. He pulled back and laid on his side, smiling at me. My chest tightened at how he was looking at me. I nuzzled into his chest, closing my eyes and snaking my arms around his back.