Since I Saw Him Last: A Gary Barlow Fanfic

Chapter Thirty Three

I opened my eyes to find Gary's arm draped around me. This was the first time I'd woken with Gary still attached to me. I knew that sleeping on his front was his favourite sleeping position but it seemed as though his subconscious was telling him to remain physically connected to me. I couldn't believe how much our relationship had excelled since we met at the album signing. For a moment, I thought he was going to propose to me when he handed me the Tiffany gift box last night. In all honesty, I wouldn't have said yes if he asked. Our relationship was already feeling like a romantic whirlwind, I was enjoying the ride but I wasn't insane. I knew that time had to be put into developing a long lasting relationship. I hadn't even been seen at a public event with Gary so how would the world react if they suddenly found out I was engaged to him when they didn't even know I existed before that. I was so glad that Gary's feelings had caught up with mine. I could have told him I loved him right from the start, at the signing, at SKY, at the charity event... but what good would that have done? Gary would've placed me in the crazy groupie category and called for security. I had played my cards right and bagged the man of my dreams.

Gary started to stir, I could hear him groan behind me. "Morning baby." I said. I was aware that this was the first time I'd given him an endearing term. "Mmm." Gary sounded, "Morning beautiful," he croaked as he kissed the back of my head. I rolled my body over to face him. His eyes were still closed. I couldn't help but grin. I wanted to open the windows and shout, GARY IS MINE at the top of my lungs, but I had to tame the fangirl. After a few moments, Gary opened his eyes, his voice still croaky, "Stop staring." I started stroking his hair and kissed his forehead. Gary leant to the side to stretch his arms, he yawned as he did so. He ran his fingers through his hair. "Good sleep Gary?" Gary nodded, "Mmm." "You're not the best communicator in the mornings." "I've just woken up Natasha, what do you expect?" Ooh, grumpy Gary is back. I couldn't take him seriously. I wandered off to the bathroom, I'd had so much to drink last night and was desperate to relieve myself. I checked myself in the mirror before washing my hands. I sauntered back into the bedroom and lay down on the bed again. Gary sat up a little and edged closer to me. "I didn't mean to be like that," he pouted. I understood this was his way of apologising for being so short with me. I smiled back at him and cuddled up to him. "Mmm, this is good," I didn't reply. I was enjoying his strong arms being wound around me. I leant up and kissed him on the cheek. He rested his head on top of mine. "Should we order breakfast or go downstairs to have it?" I shrugged, "It's up to you Gary." "I don't think I can be arsed to go downstairs. We'll have breakfast in bed. I'll go have a pee and then I'll call room service. What you want?" "I'll have whatever you're having." I replied. Gary kissed my forehead and lifted himself up from the bed. After he used the bathroom, he walked into the lounge area and called for room service. He walked back into the bedroom and I marvelled at his naked body. He was a fine specimen. I fancied Gary back in the old Take That days, I fancied him too when he was a little chunkier during the Take That comeback but now, his body was outstanding. Gary caught me staring again, "Why do you always look at me funny? There's nothing to undress you know!" He teased. "What's the point of being with someone if you can't appreciate them Gary?" He smiled sweetly as he lay back down on the bed. "How was last night for you?" he smouldered at me. I edged closer to him, "It was the best night I've had with you so far. Why, was it not good for you?" I asked. He gently slapped me on my hip. "Sssh, you. It was intense. I just have no way to describe how last night was for me. I've never experienced anything like that before." "How do you mean?" "That connection, I've never felt that with anyone. I didn't mean to get carried away but I just couldn't help myself." "How is that getting carried away when I feel the same way too? The whole night was perfect, you were perfect. I want to see more of this sweet, giving and loving Gary. It would be a comfort from suffering with grumpy Gary!" "Oh, you're so bad Natasha. Always getting a dig in." He laughed, grabbed me and started giving me sloppy kisses. I laughed back, "Aah, Gary stop! You do know I have tickling powers. I'll start on you if you're not careful." I reached out to jab him, "Okay, okay. I'll stop." He said in between chuckles. There was a knock at the door, our breakfast has arrived. I'd never seen Gary get up so quick, he wrapped himself in a navy dressing gown provided by the hotel and walked over to the door. I could hear Gary talking to a member of hotel staff, "Yeah, just place it over there." I heard a tray being set down on a table in the lounge area. "Our washing all dry cleaned! Ta." I could imagine Gary smiling back at them. He closed the door and walked in with the tray rattling. He placed it on a table in the bedroom. "Want a cuppa? I'll make you that first before I give you the plate." He poured tea from the teapot and added milk. "You don't take sugar do you?" I nodded, "I know you take one. You really need to cut that out. It's unnecessary calories." Gary shrugged and smiled at the same time. "There you are, a cup of tea for my lady." He set down the cup on the bedside table nearest to me and did the same with his cup on his side. He brought the tray over to the bed, sat down and handed me my plate. "I got you a poached egg, hope that's okay." "Of course it is." Gary looked over whilst he was devouring his poached egg, "I remember thinking when you first stayed at mine that you were my perfect match," he said between mouthfuls. "You made me poached eggs. I wondered what was going on, I thought 'this must be fate' but I soon realised you were hoodwinking me." "Hoodwinking you?" "I keep forgetting you're a fan of mine and that you know so many random facts about me." He laughed. I rolled my eyes at him, "Oh, there's a newspaper over there if you want to have a look." He nodded over at the table. I'd finished my breakfast, grabbed the newspaper and sat back down. Gary was checking the thousands and thousands of notifications he had on his phone. I flicked through the newspaper whilst sipping my tea. There wasn't anything of interest article wise, just the same old news stories. Although, when I arrived at the showbiz section, I couldn't believe what I saw. There was a small photo of Mark and Charlotte getting into the car on Thursday night. I looked over to the page on the right and saw a larger photo of Gary and I stepping outside on the same night. The article read: