Whatever It Takes

Desperate

I smiled at Dovey as she looked up at me, her curls splayed across her pillow. Her cheeks were flushed, rosy and sweet as she watched me. She wrapped her arms around my neck, brushing my hair softly. I kissed her deeply, still unbelieving that I was in her bed. I dropped to my side, grinning at her like a madman.

"Come over here," I ordered, pulling Dovey onto my chest. She giggled and settled onto me, nuzzling her head under my chin. I kissed her forehead and held her tight to me, thinking back to our night, and unable to stop smiling. "I don't want to go to sleep."

"I don't either," Dovey sighed. I smiled – as much as she might say that, I could tell she was getting tired. I rubbed her back and smiled wider when she hummed happily.

"You can sleep, Bird," I said quietly. She whined.

"But I want to stay up with you," she pouted. I looked down at her and noticed that her eyes weren't even open. I kissed her softly.

"Rest up, sweetheart – we've got a big day tomorrow," I insisted. She smiled, entangling her legs with mine.

"We've got to dance tomorrow," she replied sleepily.

I felt my heart pick up – she remembered! I held her close, stroking her hair and kissing her forehead until she fell asleep in my arms. I stared up at the ceiling as she snored, practically vibrating with joy. I looped one of her nightgown straps around my fingers, playing with it as I watched her sleep.

I could not believe that my stupid, half-baked plan had worked. I kissed her forehead again. I guess it wasn't really my plan, it was Nancy telling me to not be a total freak around Dovey.

And it worked.

She finally was able to see through my stupid bravado and dumb jokes, and she liked me. I finally got the version of Dovey that everyone else did – the kind, funny one who smiled so big it made my chest ache. My heart picked up when she nuzzled further into me. I was careful to stay as still as possible, not wanting to wake her up. I soon drifted off, surrounded by her vanilla scent, and warm with her in my arms.

I shot my eyes open when I felt Dovey shift onto me, flushing when I felt her kissing my chest.

"Good morning," she whispered, smiling as she got to my face. I grinned back at her, setting my hands on her hips as she straddled me.

"Morning, sweetheart," I rasped. She blushed and leaned close to my face, kissing me sweetly.

"I like that nickname," she said quietly. I felt my chest tighten with affection.

"Yeah?" I croaked. She nodded. I slid my hands up her body, pulling her close to me. "Well, sweetheart, I'll start using it more."

She smiled brightly, and I kissed her hard. I held her close, draping her over me. She giggled as I brushed her hair out of her face, and I couldn't stop grinning at her.

"I like waking up to this," I flirted. She smiled wider and kissed me sweetly.

"I can't believe I like waking up to you," she replied quietly, tracing my tattoos on my chest. I was convinced she could feel my racing heart.

She shifted on me, and the pain from falling out of the window came rushing back. I sucked in a quick breath of air, and Dovey looked at me, concerned.

"What happened?" she asked, her voice hitching. I screwed my eyes shut and shook my head trying to play it off.

"I'm f-fine," I lied, my voice a squeak. She shifted off me, and even though I was in pain, I immediately wanted her back on me.