Whatever It Takes

Alone Together

I watched Dovey as she slept, convinced that if I fell asleep, I would actually wake up and this would all be a dream. She had dozed off in my arms, and I had been so excited about it, I was practically vibrating.

I was in bed with Dovey Henderson. I had gotten farther with Dovey Henderson than I had ever dreamt of in my absolute wildest fantasies, and I don't think she hated it. I think she might have even liked it. I think she might even like me!

She rolled over, facing me, and buried her face in the crook of my neck. My heart almost stopped when she slipped her arms around me, squeezing me close to her. I pressed my lips to her forehead, scratching her back softly.

"You're comfortable," she mumbled, setting the side of her face against my chest.

I felt my face flush, and I kissed the top of her head quickly. She looked up at me, her eyes sleepy and half-lidded like they were last night, and I felt my heart pick up. She smiled at me, and her eyes were mirthful as she watched me.

"I can feel your heart pounding, Munson," she teased, making my heart pound harder. She crawled up in the bed, wrapping her arms around my neck and ghosting my lips. Her voice was low and soft as she spoke. "Do I make you nervous?"

"Like a cat in room full of rocking chairs, Bird," I admitted, sighing my words out. Her mouth twisted into a smile.

"God damn it, I can't believe I think that's cute," she said before kissing me hard. I was relieved she found my strangeness endearing at this point. I gripped onto her thigh, holding her close to me as I kissed her back. She pulled back, pressing her forehead to mine.

"I wish we didn't have to do anything but this today," I whispered before kissing her softly. She reached up and tucked a curl behind my ear, smiling at me as she watched me.

"Well, good news – we can do this all day," she joked. I felt my chest tighten with pride – she did like me!

"Do we have to move anytime soon?" I asked quietly. She smiled and shook her head, pulling me close to her.

"Not unless we want to – Dustin might send a search party out for you, though," she teased before kissing me. I kissed her back harder, holding her tight. I ran my hand along her side, remembering the forget-me-not tattoo on her ribs. I pulled back and kissed her nose.

"Let him – I'll never be found here. It's the perfect hiding spot," I flirted. She giggled and kissed me sweetly. I watched her, and my mouth twisted. Her eyes widened.

"What's wrong?"

"I'm just wondering what could have happened if I hadn't been an asshole that day at Hellfire," I admitted. She shrugged.

"Should of, would of, could of – this has been almost a decade in the making," she replied, so cool and nonchalant. She traced my features with her finger. "If we had done anything back then, it would have fizzled out and we would have been awkward, and it wouldn't have worked."

I smiled at her, assured by her confidence. I kissed her, grinning wider when she melted into me. I pulled back and stroked her hair.

"And...and now?" I nervously asked. She smiled, nuzzling closer to me.

"And now...and now we are grown-ups, and we get to have a lot more fun together," she replied. She looked up at me, smiling knowingly. "A lot more fun."

I smiled at her flirting and laced my fingers in her hair, stroking it gently. She shivered and shimmied further into my hold. She kissed my chest and moved up my neck, making my face hot. I felt dizzy as she got to my ear, her breath hot and voice low.