Winning Skylinn

52

It was 9:47 when I got to the airport.

I hurried inside and rushed to where Denver would (hopefully) be waiting. I saw a few guys sitting in a cluster and went to see if he was one of them.

"Has anyone seen...?" My voice trailed off as I locked eyes with him. I'd know those green eyes anywhere. "Denver," I finished, barely breathing.

All the guys looked up at me in unison, then over at Denver. I think they were smirking, but I don't know. My eyes were locked on someone else.

Finally, he rose from his seat to greet me. I thought he would hug me, but he didn't. His fingers brushed against mine as he entwined our fingers. The touch was electric, sending shivers all throughout my body. He pulled me over to where the other guys couldn't see us.

I couldn't help but giggle. "What are we doing over here?"

His green eyes bore into mine as he said, "Making up for lost time." Then he came in close and gave me the most gentle whisper of a kiss.

I was about to kiss him back when he pulled away. "Just let me look at you," he breathed, and I blushed as he studied me like a fine work of art.

I covered my face with my hands. "Don't. I look terrible."

He took my hands and moved my fingers aside, then kissed my forehead. "I'd have to disagree."

"Oh really?"

"Well you weren't exactly in red carpet attire when we met," he said, making me laugh, "so this is the way I fell in love with you."

I felt my heart swell at his words, and I leaned in to kiss him, but he shook his head, not accepting. "Not done looking."

I rolled my eyes at him, and thought I saw his lips turn up in the faintest of smiles. With a flick of his wrist, he took the elastic out of my hair, making it fall in waves down my back. "You dyed your hair," he noted.

"Do you like it?"

"Doesn't really matter what I think, but yes. I like it." He smoothed out the kinks with one hand, his eyes never leaving mine.

I used this time to study him, really study him. His hair had grown back a little. Not a lot, but it wasn't as short as it was when he'd left. His jaw was lined with stubble, and I couldn't help but reach out to touch it. It was rough against my fingers, but I liked it. It made him look tough, like he'd already been in the army and not just boot camp. His shoulders looked muscular, and I could tell from the white T-shirt he wore that he'd been working out nonstop.

I moved my hand from his jaw to his hair, running my fingers through his messy cow licks. He'd probably slept through the plane ride.

"We're a hot mess," I said with a laugh, trying and failing to smooth out his hair.

He didn't answer.

"Denver?" His name rolled so easily off my tongue.

"I really missed you." I couldn't detect everything in his voice, but I could sense longing and need. He really had missed me; I could tell in the way he said it, like it was the last thing he'd ever say, like he needed me to know. But also like he was so tired, just physically drained from everything he'd been through in the past six months.

"Then come here," I said back.

And just like that, his lips were on mine. It was much better than the other one, more passionate than I think he'd ever kissed me. Like he couldn't get enough, like there would never be enough of me.

Finally, I had to pull away. I took a moment to catch my breath before looking up at his eyes. "I really missed you too."

"Then what took you so long? I thought you might never come."

Ah. So that was the hint of anger I'd sensed in his voice.

"I'm sorry. I didn't get any sleep last night, so when I got up to get ready, I just passed out on the couch. And then my mom woke me up at like 8:30 and I had to rush here, and I actually got a speeding ticket. So yeah."

"Wow. You've had a busy morning."

"Yeah," I said, sighing.

"Tell you what. Give me the keys to your car, and I'll drive you home. Then you can sleep, and I'll come by later and pick you up for dinner. How's that sound?"

"Perfect."

We grabbed his bags and headed outside to my car, where I slid into the passenger seat and kicked my feet up on the dash. Then I leaned the seat back and fell asleep. As much as I wanted to talk to Denver, I couldn't keep my eyes open.

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A/N: Mushy chapter, I know. But what did you expect? A hug and "let's go"? Besides, I like romance and cuteness, so deal with it! Haha anyways, hope you enjoyed the chapter!