"What Are You Waiting For?" || ORIGINAL STORY.

Chapter Thirty-Seven.

Tanya's POV.

I slowly opened my eyes, the morning light filtering through the curtains.

The events from the previous night came back to me in a rush, and I suddenly became hyper-aware of the body next to me.

I turned my head, my heart nearly stopping as I saw Darren lying there, asleep beside me, his chest rising and falling in a steady rhythm.

He looked so peaceful in sleep, his face relaxed and devoid of the usual tension that seemed to cling to him.

I couldn't help but stare at him for a moment, taking him in, my eyes tracing the strong lines of his jaw, the curve of his lips..

Goddamnit.. even asleep, the man was gorgeous.

I shifted slightly, propping myself up on one elbow so I could look at him a little better.

He stirred a little at the movement, his head turning in my direction, his eyes still closed.

He let out a soft noise, somewhere between a grunt and a sigh, and reached out with one hand, trying to pull me closer.

Despite myself, I let out a soft chuckle, scooting closer to him, until I could feel the heat of his body against mine once more.

He was so warm, his skin like a furnace against mine, and I couldn't help but sigh contentedly, snuggling closer to him.

He mumbled something incoherent, sleep making his voice raspy and deep, and instinctively, he tightened his grip on me, holding me impossibly close.

A part of me wanted to wake him up, to ask him what all of this meant, where we stood now after last night.

But the larger part of me just wanted to enjoy this, to savor the feeling of being wrapped up in his arms.

I laid there for a while, just listening to the sound of his breathing, feeling the rise and fall of his chest against my cheek.

It was.. strangely soothing, lying like this.

In the arms of the man I'd tried so hard to keep at a distance.

The man I'd tried, and failed, not to fall for.

Slowly, carefully, so as not to wake him, I shifted a little, my hand coming up to rest on his chest.

My fingers traced lazy patterns on his skin, idly tracing the contours of his muscles, feeling the heat and smoothness of his skin.

He stirred again, his arms pulling me even closer to him, his face tucking into my hair.

I could feel his breath on my neck, the tickle of his hair against my cheek, and it sent a shiver down my spine.

God, he felt.. so good.

So warm, so strong, so real.

I let myself forget about all the reasons we shouldn't be doing this, about the complications and the messy emotions, and I just let myself feel.

It was.. nice. 

Peaceful.

Eventually, though, reality intruded, and I knew I couldn't lie there forever. 

With reluctance, I pulled away, trying to extricate myself gently from his still-snuggling grip.

He muttered something indistinct, a noise of protest, and his arms tightened around me, trying to keep me in place.

I chuckled softly, gently patting his chest.

"Darren, come on.. let me up." I muttered, trying to sound stern.