Conbellia

Chapter 11

I'm sitting on my bed, on Jeremiah's legs, propped up against a bunch of pillows. Jere gently moves his fingers through my hair.
"You were amazing tonight" he whispers softly. I rest my head on his shoulder.
The moonlight falls through the windows of the room and makes everything shine in a beautiful silvery light. 
Just a few weeks ago I wouldn't have been able to imagine that I'd ever get to meet Jeremiah Damer. Today I can't imagine this evening without him. He's now a part of my life. I still miss my family but at the same time I feel like they're not a major part of this anymore. This - my life. I focus on the night sky I can see through the window.
"What is it?" the concern in Jeremiah's voice almost makes me laugh out loud. Instead I just turn around with a smile.
"I'm just thinking..."
"Thinking what?"
"How much my life changed within the last weeks. I mean, like, I was just a single girl, the daughter of office-workers. Now I'm this. I'm not saying I don't miss it at all. It's just that this is so... different."
He wraps his strong arms around me with so much care it's almost impossible to believe that with these same ones he knocks people unconscious in an arena once or twice a year.
His lips trace my neck softly. I have never been that close to a guy before but that gesture sends a small chill down my spine. It's the beautiful kind, the kind you want to last forever.
"Jane, I know you used to prefer being alone at school. I... I really don't want to push anything, to push you... but I just wanted to tell you: I like you."
I turn my head to him. Our faces are now centimeters apart.
"Jere, I... I..." I blush and look down. I have no idea about this. What is love? What does it feel like? All of a sudden he leans forward and closes the little distance between us. His lips touch mine. It's just a faint whisper of a kiss but it's more than enough to answer all my questions. The warmth shooting through my body and the goose bumps, both at the same time, make me feel like nothing I'd ever felt before. He moves back a tiny little bit, surprised by his action himself. He hasn't ever touched a girl before. Everybody at school knew not to even bother with trying. I hadn't day dreamed about this moment all my life but even if I could change this moment now, I wouldn't do it with a single thing.
I reach up and bury my hands into his hair, pulling myself closer, kissing him. I see the relief in his eyes. Relief that he made the right choice. And he probably did... The second kiss isn't a  careful one anymore. He pushes me into himself, kissing me, demanding more. I pull myself in closer, trying to let him know that I'm his, that I feel what he does.
At the same time I can't help wondering about how long this will last. What if I get a different rank? As if he read my thoughts he says:
"We'll be together Jane, no matter what, they won't separate us with ranks. I will fight for you with my life. I swear."
He takes my hand during his little speech and squeezes it.
I squeeze back.
"I won't fail Jere. I'll do my best. Promise." His lips meet mine in the dark as a small sign to seal our little secret.