Steel Rose

Chapter 36

Ptolemus Pov

   The sun shines brightly down in my face as I open my eyes. I hear birds chirpping happily outside my window and for the first time the noise is soothing. I don't feel the need to close my eyes again, realizing this was the best sleep I've had in a long time.

   It doesn't take long for me to feel the heat of another body by my side. The soft skin, a faint smell of lavender and the tender purr of her sleep.

   I turn my head to the other side and I don't want to ever ever leave. I wish I could close my eyes again and lay here the rest of the day. I feel Isabelle's leg tangle with mine, her head resting on my shoulder a hand on my chest.

   I smile to myself stroking her golden strands. I stare at the ceiling my skin tingling with her presence my mind racing with thoughts that could make anyone blush. The feel of her body moving against mine. The fire of each kiss, the tease and tickle of her hands. I nearly shiver in delight.

   While I'm lost on my thoughts, I feel Belle groan from her sleep. She goes still for a moment before she shuffles her legs only to feel them trapped within mine. She stirs again before looking up at me, her eyes narrowed and dazed.

   "Morning," I mumble to her running my hand up her arm.

   She turns her head back around with a grumble. "Hi." She whispers back.

   I furrow my eyebrows, "You okay?"

   She sniffs and nods, looking back up at me. "Yea," she blinks slowly, shifting under the sheets. She pulls them against her.  "Just a little sore." she shrugs.

   I sit up so the covers fall in my lap a strike of pure fear clawing at my chest. "I hurt you?"

   "No!" She rushes sitting up too, one hand holding the sheets the other flipping back her hair exposing her delicate shoulder. "I've never-," she chuckles looking down a blush spreading over her face. Her pause is my answer. "No, I'm fine."

   "Oh," I relax against the headboard feeling relief wash over me.

   Belle smiles comfortably inching closer. "You worry too much Samos,"

    I reach out pulling her against me. She sighs kissing my cheek and my jaw.

   "I like worrying about you," I say and she only smiles and kisses the spot between my neck and shoulder. I groan, "Careful now,"

   She chuckles against my skin, "You have to be somewhere?"

   I shake my head as she kisses my neck, "Not at the moment."

   She pulls away her hair framing her face and the sun from the window casting a heavenly halo around her frame making her eyes sharp. "Then why do I need to be careful?"

   I chuckle and relish in her sudden confidence. I raise a hand cupping her face stroking her cheek with my thumb. Her eyes flutter and she leans into my palm before I pull her into a slow kiss.

   She accepts, wrapping her arms around my neck as our kiss deepens. The cover falls between us as I pull her into my lap her legs on either side of me. I feel her fingers glide through my hair steadily, my heartbeat so strong I'm certain she can feel it in her chest.

   I keep her to me until I burn with the need for air. Even then I'm slow to push her back slightly, both of us gasping. I gaze at her face, warmth spilling across my body. We smile at each other our foreheads touching. She closes her eyes and hums in content.

   I smile softly at her as the warmth only seems to grow. I inhale, not able to get Isabelle close enough. And a need to keep her this close passes over me that I don't want to fade. I hold her tighter.