the fire between us

chapter 13

The morning light filters through the curtains, casting a soft glow over the room. I wake up slowly, nestled comfortably in Martinus's arms. His breathing is steady and calm, a gentle rhythm that soothes me even in my sleep. It feels like a small, serene haven amidst all the chaos of the past few days.

I stretch lightly, savoring the warmth and security of Martinus's embrace. Just as I'm about to turn to face him, a knock on the door startles us both. Nora's voice follows, cheerful and insistent.

"Guys, it's time to wake up!"

Martinus stirs beside me, his arms tightening momentarily around me before he starts to wake up. He blinks sleepily and looks at me with a soft smile. "Morning," he murmurs, his voice still heavy with sleep.

"Morning," I reply, my voice just as soft. I feel a warmth in my chest, a sense of peace that I haven't felt in a long time.

The door opens slightly, and Nora peeks in with a grin. "I see you two are enjoying your sleep-in. But seriously, it's time to get up. We've got a busy day ahead."

I feel a sudden rush of embarrassment as Nora's words register. The thought of waking up to find us still wrapped in each other's arms might be a bit awkward. Martinus and I both sit up, pulling away gently but with reluctance.

"Alright, alright," Martinus says, his voice more awake now. He stretches and yawns before glancing at me with a smile. "We'll be up in a minute."

The morning light filters gently through the curtains, creating a warm and peaceful ambiance in the room. I wake up slowly, nestled comfortably in Martinus's arms, his steady breathing a soothing backdrop to the tranquil morning.

As I stretch, savoring the warmth of his embrace, a knock on the door interrupts the moment. Nora's voice follows, bright and insistent.

"Guys, it's time to wake up!"

Martinus stirs, his arms tightening around me momentarily before he blinks awake. He looks at me with a soft, sleepy smile. "Morning," he murmurs, his voice still heavy with sleep.

"Morning," I reply softly, feeling a deep sense of comfort and contentment.

The door opens slightly, and Nora peeks in, her grin evident even in her tone. "I see you two are enjoying your sleep-in. But seriously, it's time to get up. We've got a busy day ahead."

I feel a flush of embarrassment at the realization of how we must look, still wrapped up together. Martinus and I slowly sit up, reluctantly pulling away but sharing a lingering, affectionate gaze.

"Alright, alright," Martinus says with a yawn. He stretches, then glances at me with a smile that makes my heart flutter. "We'll be up in a minute."

Nora nods and leaves us to our morning. I turn to Martinus, my curiosity piqued. "Are you ready for the soccer game today?"

"Definitely," he replies, his eyes bright with excitement. "But first—"

He pauses, leaving me hanging. "But first what?" I ask, a teasing note in my voice.

Martinus wraps his arm around me, pulling me back down onto the bed. I feel his warmth and closeness as he leans in, his lips inches from mine. "A kiss for good luck," he says, his voice a low, affectionate murmur.

My heart races with anticipation. I meet his gaze, the intensity of his eyes making my breath catch. As he moves closer, I can feel the heat between us building. His lips meet mine in a kiss that starts soft but quickly deepens. It's a kiss full of longing and passion, a melding of hearts that speaks of our closeness and the depth of our feelings.