Get Ready For It - A Gary Barlow FF

Chapter 18

***Sophie's POV***

Being here just feels right. I feel complete being here. Right here, right now. In Gary's arms, as he tries his hardest to calm me down as I also try to calm myself down after spending the past 20 minutes crying in his ridiculously over-sized steam shower. I also feel safe for some reason. I mean, I've never felt in danger in any sense since I have met and known Gary, but being here, with him, in his arms, I feel secure and warm and at home. Content. That's it, I feel very content.

''How are you feeling now, sweetheart? Feeling a little better?'' I feel a warm breath of air hit against my still slightly damp cheek as Gary pulls me closer to his silk robe covered chest.

I shrug feebly against him as I pull myself closer into his frame. His toned chest provides more than adequate comfort as I regain my composure from my little 'moment' earlier.

''Yeah. I think so..'' I say quietly as my cheek finds a home against the collar of his robe.

The smell of raspberry body wash still lingers on his skin from the shower he took after basically rescuing me from my little breakdown. He has been nothing less than a pure gentleman this evening and even though this was the first time that he saw my body, he didn't take it as an opportunity as I was feeling a bit vulnerable, to initiate something between us. He has shown me already that he is a gentleman who respects me. He didn't try anything funny at all, he was there for me when I needed him as I will be there for him whenever he needs me.

That's what relationships are for, isn't it? I feel Gary's grip around my waist tighten slightly as he pulls me into lap as he adjusts himself into a more comfortable position against the headrest of his 4 poster bed.

''You OK?'' Gary whispers against my ear before planting a soft kiss against my temple.

I nod my head as best I can as I feel my eyes begin to tire and close gradually. The last thing I remember is Gary pulling closer against him before planting a kiss in my hair before the tiredness takes over me and I enter a world of darkness.

*****

The sound of birds singing sweetly in the trees outside my window is what wakes me up in the morning. I stir slightly in the soft and warm duvet.

'What time is it?' I think to myself as I stretch out my legs.

As I do so, my right leg makes sudden contact with something hard, muscular and very warm. What?! It's a leg! I turn around slowly under the duvet and as I do so, I realize that this is not my room. I'm lying in a humongous 4 poster bed, in a room that's not mine. Turning on to my side, my mouth drops open. I'm lying opposite Gary Barlow. What the fu-?

But then it clicks. It all clicks! I'm dating him. He's my boyfriend. I'm dating Gary Barlow. A silly smile appears on my face as I mentally slap myself for freaking out a little bit. The whole thing makes sense now as I remember last night. I got a little bit upset about Gary's reaction with Cara for some stupid reason. Why would I get upset over something so silly like that? I mean, Gary doesn't even know her and he has never seen her before in his life. So there is no need for me to get upset. I can't keep the smile off my face as I gaze over the pillow at his sleeping face. His mouth is open slightly as he breathes in deeply. He's just gorgeous and unbelievably cute!

About 20 minutes later, he begins to stir. His eyes flutter open and I'm met the most amazingly green, albeit slightly tired looking pair of eyes.

''Morning you..'' he says softly which hits me right there in the pit of my stomach.

He's so gorgeous. How did I manage to get him?! Smiling sleepily back at him, I happily sigh an internal sigh as I briefly close my eyes before opening them again.

''Hey, babe. Sleep well?'' I say back to him in a voice that is still thick with sleep even though I've been awake for about 10 minutes now.

His eyebrow flies into his copper brown hairline in reaction to me calling him babe. I don't think he's heard me call him that before. He must find it either amusing or cute. Either way, it suits him, and me.

''Yeah, I slept like a log. I woke up about an hour after you fell asleep against my chest and carefully put you in under the covers..'' he says as he snuggles his designer stubble-covered cheek against the soft feathered pillow in an attempt to get into a more cozy position.

''..and there was absolutely no waking you, Soph. You were out for the count'' he chuckles at me before winking at me cheekily.

My cheeks flush a deep shade of crimson almost instantly which Gary picks up on in equally quick a fashion.

''Eh up..'' he says, and the pure seriousness of his tone of voice eliminates the slight smile on my lips in a heartbeat.

''You're an angel when you sleep sweetheart and I can't tell you how happy it made me waking up and see you across from me in the same bed'' Now it's his turn to blush a little before immediately composing himself as he continues on.

''You make me happier than you will ever know, Sophie. I know that it may be a bit early to say that in our relationship and maybe it's a bit cheesy, but I don't care. I just need you to know how you make me feel. This is real and I just need for you to know that..'' I feel my heart swell to about twice it's normal size as I stare back across the king size 4 poster bed.

''Gary, I..I don't even know what to say...I...I..-''

''Then don't say anything at all, babe..'' he says as he pulls his body across the bed until I can feel his hot, sticky breath against my cheeks.

''Your eyes say enough'' and with that, his lips find mine in a kiss that truly, truly take my breath away.

Not a bad way to wake up, right?