Between The Lines

Chapter 131: Water Fight

Third Person (Lane's POV):

Lane lay awake, staring at the ceiling, his body still. His arm was wrapped around Rebecca, her small frame curled up against his chest, head resting over his heart. Her hair, wild and scattered, tickled his skin, but he didn't mind. Not at all. She looked so peaceful like this, lost in sleep, one hand fisted loosely in the sheets while the other rested on his chest, her fingers twitching as if searching for something to hold onto.

He smiled to himself, watching her breathe steadily. God, she looked adorable. Completely different from the girl he had to keep from pushing herself too hard during the day, with textbooks scattered all over the place, barely even looking up from her notes. She was always so determined, so focused. But now... now she was just Rebecca. The vulnerable side of her, the side only he got to see.

His mind drifted back to last night, the way she had stirred beside him, restless, and the soft, embarrassed look on her face when he caught her... needing him. His heart clenched at the memory. He knew she'd been nervous—nervous about being here, nervous about what she felt. But he had seen through it. The way she was restless in his arms, her body tense even when she didn't want it to be.

He didn't mind. She didn't need to be embarrassed, not with him. He had known for a while now how much she needed him. It wasn't just physical—it was deeper than that. She craved the comfort, the security he gave her, and he loved that about her. It wasn't just lust. There was something unspoken between them, something that made his heart pound whenever she looked at him like he was the only person in the world.

His gaze traveled down to her face again, taking in the little details: her slightly parted lips, the way her lashes fluttered against her cheeks in sleep. The soft curve of her body pressed up against him. He felt a wave of warmth and protectiveness wash over him. God, he loved her. More than he should, probably. More than he ever planned to.

He raised his hand, gently brushing a lock of hair away from her face, careful not to wake her. She stirred slightly, her hand tightening its grip on the fabric of his shirt before relaxing again. He chuckled softly under his breath. Even in her sleep, she wanted to be close.

As much as he enjoyed a quiet morning with her, the sight of her so relaxed and trusting in his arms, there was always that voice in the back of his mind. What happens next? What would happen when this secret relationship became too much? When their sneaking around wasn't enough?

But for now, he pushed that thought aside. For now, he was content with this moment. This warmth. This closeness.

He leaned down, pressing a soft kiss to the top of her head, breathing in the familiar scent of her hair. It was these little moments that reminded him why he was willing to risk everything for her.

"God, you're cute," he whispered, more to himself than to her, his fingers trailing lightly down her arm. She shifted slightly in her sleep, her hand sliding across his chest, clutching at his shirt again as though even in her dreams, she couldn't bear to be apart from him.

Lane's heart clenched, a mixture of love and desire washing over him. How did he get so lucky? How did he end up with someone so perfect, so completely made for him?

He smirked to himself, reflecting on how different things could have been. Last night, he had noticed how embarrassed she was, fumbling for words when she couldn't sleep, how her body had practically begged for his touch without her even realizing it. It had taken everything in him not to laugh when she tried to play it off like nothing.

She might've been shy about it, but he knew her well enough by now. She needed him in more ways than she even understood yet. And he'd be there for her, always. To hold her, to take care of her.