Love and the Undead (gxg)

Chapter 13

"I have an idea."

Iris looks at me curiously, her red-rimmed eyes meeting mine once again, her eyebrows pulling towards the middle of her forehead almost as imperceptibly as the breeze that's caressing our skin.

"What's that?"

I smile and answer, "Follow me," before sliding forward out of the tree and landing with a thud on the soft, grassy ground.

I start walking towards the hammock, and then decide that that won't be very suitable with my plan. Instead I untie the tarp and lay it out flat on the ground. I turn around and look at Iris, trying to appear confident and relaxed- the opposite of how I feel.

"Okay, here's my idea: I know that you've not had any experience in this aspect, so I want to let you have that, without being forced into anything that you don't want to do. You're completely in control. I'm just gonna lay down, completely still, and let you take your time getting familiar with.. everything. If you want."

"Really?" She asks. "You'd make yourself so vulnerable... to me?"

"Of course." I say softly, meeting her eyes.

I watch her as I grab hold of the hem of my shirt and lift it over my head. I'm trying to do it in that sexy way where you just lift it off in one fluent motion, but I don't know how well it works out. My hands are shaking and my heart may literally fly out of my chest any minute. She keeps her eyes on mine, and I can see that she's nervous too but she also looks happy- and high as fuck still. I can't believe that I'm just standing in the open in only a sports bra and my low-riding jeans. I feel so exposed, but I know that I'm safe with Raine so I try to get past the anxiety. I can't show any signs of insecurity right now. I need to be strong for her. This is for her, not me- although I won't lie and say I'm not looking forward to her hands on my bare skin. If that's what happens. I slip my jeans off as well, and finally I break eye contact. I'm now in only a sports bra and underwear, I have goosebumps because of the breeze, and now I'm shaking because I know that she's watching me.

Moving down to the ground, I settle myself on the tarp. I lay flat on my back, crossing my arms loosely above my head. I take a deep, shaking breath and then close my eyes. I am completely surrendering myself to her. I'm not even sure if anything sexual will happen during this, but I am sure that I don't care either way. My goal is to help her be more comfortable with me and with herself. I want to help her rid herself of some of the anxiety and fear that I know is plaguing her, and reassure her in the fact that I am here to be nothing but good to her; I get the sense that she's never been able to fully trust in anyone, and I want to give her that.

I'm pulled out of my thoughts by the feeling of the tarp shifting under added weight. My every sense goes on overdrive; my hairs are practically standing on end in anticipation of a touch. It is killing me. I know that she's close, as I can sense her next to me and I can hear her quiet breathing, but I've still not opened my eyes. Quite frankly, I'm petrified. I don't want to meet her eyes, because I'm terrified of what I'll see there. Will it be disgust, or maybe dismay? What if she discovers that she doesn't even like girls? What if she discovers that she likes girls, but she doesn't like me? What if sh- my thoughts are cut short by a tentative touch on my collarbone. All I can feel is that touch, all I can experience is this moment. After not even a second I feel the slight pressure vanish, and then come back to my jaw. I swallow, feeling every one of my muscles pulled tight.

"Raine.. open your eyes." Comes the softly spoken demand.

I comply, slowly opening my eyes. What I see is Iris, leaning over me, her clear grey-blue eyes locked on mine. Her cheeks are flushed, her hand is shaking slightly against my jaw, and she is the most beautiful thing that I have ever been privileged enough to lay my eyes on. I give her a lopsided smile.

"Hey, you." I say quietly, damning my voice for breaking.

She gives me a grin and replies, "Hey."

We smile at each other stupidly for a moment and then she lowers her gaze to my mouth. Her thumb reaches across my face so settle on my bottom lip. My lips part unconsciously, and I watch her as she starts to lean in and then stop. She flicks her gaze to my eyes again as if asking for permission and I nod, eagerly awaiting this. She leans in slowly, so slowly, and plants the softest kiss I have ever experienced on my lips. She pulls away but only a few inches, her breath coming in shaky gasps. My mind is reeling. I don't think I ever truly understood what people meant about feeling butterflies in their stomach until this moment; I believe I may have a whole swarm of them in there, and I'm sure that they'll burst out of me any second. She kissed me! She kissed me. Holy sHIT. And her lips were so soft, and her eyes are so beautiful looking down at mine right now and all I want to do is kiss her again. I smile hugely at her.

"That was.." I trail off, not really having any words to describe what I'm feeling. I'm sure she understands what I'm trying to convey anyway.

"I know," she breathes.

I smile softly and just as I'm about to reach forward and touch her face, searching for another kiss, I remember who's in control of the situation and I take a deep breath. After much (okay, very little) consideration I decide that maybe just tilting my head back a bit, just showing her that my lips are right there for the taking, wouldn't be so bad. She grins at me, clearly catching on to my agenda. The rising sun sends streaks of light cascading through her short blonde hair. She leans in once more, so slowly, until her lips are hovering so close to mine that I can just barely feel them there. I keep perfectly still, but I do give her puppy dog eyes; she's clearly teasing me. She chuckles softly. Her breath is light on my lips. Finally, she closes the last sliver of space between us and let's our lips meet.

This is heaven, I'm sure of it. This kiss is longer, fuller, and more bold. Her lips are actually pressing against mine instead of just brushing them this time. The muscles in my arm strain against my brain, wanting to touch her, hold her, something, but I keep them at bay. This moment is perfect, and anything could ruin it. This is not the time to be possessive, but to be open. Suddenly all thoughts and concerns leave my mind as I feel her fingers slide down the side of my neck. The sensation is thrilling, and my pulse immediately jumps even higher. My neck has always been very sensitive. Soon, though maybe too soon, her hands leave my neck and I can breathe again. She now has her hand pressed flat, just over my heart. She kisses me again and suddenly I find myself underneath of her. Her weight is resting on my hips and she braces herself with the hand that's on my heart as she kisses me deeply. I didn't expect this to turn into a make-out session but I'm definitely not complaining. Its harder than ever to keep still now but I make it work, just reveling in the intimacy that we're sharing with each other. After an indeterminable amount of time, she sits up on my hips and looks down at me. The tension in the air is palpable. Iris bites her lip and takes her gaze from my arms, still crossed above my head, to my eyes. From there her eyes travel down to my lips, my neck, my chest. Once they get to where her hands were resting, they travel my body with her eyes. She runs the both of them down over my sports bra and then I feel them on the stomach. The muscles there tighten involuntarily as I suck a breath in. She slides her hands down to the waistband of my underwear and then back up. I feel my back arch slightly and apparently she does too because she smiles at me knowingly.

She bites her lip indecisively and says "I think..."

Okay you guys, I know this took like 20 years. I got grounded from my phone, etc., etc., but I have it back now :)

I need some feedback! What do you guys think, should they go all the way or wait for another time?

Much love,
Me  :)