UNFAMOUS [BOOK ONE] (A Wattpad 'Featured Story')

CH 14 | Stiletto Nails

I don't know how long I've been awake; it's probably been a few hours because when my eyes first opened the windows didn't have this glorious glow of daylight framing the edges of the cherry wood shutters. Strangely, it feels as if time hasn't progressed from the moment I realised where I was and who I was with –Nathaniel; my beautiful Nathaniel. Time seems frozen because nothing else registers to me but him.

We have shifted positions from earlier on, and he is now sleeping peacefully on his back with one arm wrapped around me, cuddling me into his perfect chest, my head resting on his pecs and one of my legs draped across his hips.  Images of last night replay over and over in my head and I'm fighting not to wake him from his slumber to re-enact them, deciding that I should appreciate the memory and savour this simple moment tangled in the sheets with him until I'm clear about what is going on between us. As amazing as last night was, where did it leave us? Are we together or is that a work in progress? I mean, he had said that he loved me, and I him, but here and now, what does that count for?

I never imagined that we would ever end up back here, but here we are and for the first time in a long time -I am happy. I am also scared. To be here with Nathaniel is like standing on top of the highest peak of Mount Everest, beyond the clouds where nothing but heaven can touch us, but it feels inevitable that eventually I won't step carefully enough and I'll slip off the edge, or he'll push me, then watch apologetically as my fragile body tumbles downwards, hitting every ledge as I fall, till I smash into the ground, shattering all over again. This kind of happiness is hazardous because recovery is not always guaranteed, but because it is so precious, we reason that just to be this happy, even if only for a few fleeting moments, it is worth the fall.

I kiss the smooth skin on his chest softly and smile as he shifts slightly; he is awake. As hopelessly pathetic as it sounds, I can't wait for him to open his eyes so that I can be dazzled by his loveliness again, but also so that I can see if he still has the same all-consuming love struck look for me.

I kiss a little higher up this time, my lips landing lightly on the curve of his throat, and he shifts again.

"Good morning," I whisper hoarsely from disuse (and overuse) of my vocal chords.

Nathaniel smiles with his eyes still shut, "I'm not awake yet." His morning voice is even more endearing than mine.

I smiled harder against his skin, "Yes you are, you plank!"

"Nuh uh! Sleeping Beauty can't wake up without true loves kiss," he chuckles.

I shove him playfully and roll off his body so that I am lying on my back with my arms crossed over my chest in an 'x'.

"Kiss me then."

I lay as still as a statue, trying to pull off being trapped in a deep enchanted slumber awaiting the moment when my Prince Charming comes to my rescue and breaks the spell with true loves kiss. I'll admit that this is so corny, but it's one of the perks of being with Nathaniel; we do silly romantic things like this and it's okay because it's us. When we're not fighting, this is who we are. This is part of the reason why I missed him so much.

The mattress moves as Nate sits up and I try my best to suppress my smile when I feel his face floating inches from mine; so close and yet so far. I wait patiently even though I'm tempted to take a small peek to see his now animated face. My heart flutters in my chest when his fingertips trace the outline of my trembling lips delicately as if he's afraid I will shatter if he's not careful enough with me. He presses his lips to mine and I am positive that he can hear the dramatic change of pace as my heart races from the feel of his faultless lips kissing me tenderly. I reach up and lace my arms around his neck to deepen it, relishing the way that once again, nothing else matters at this moment but the two of us.