Missed Connections

Chapter 63 - The Butterfly Effect

Over the next couple of days, Louis and I found a groove that was simultaneously exciting and comfortable.  The down time was perfect in allowing us to relax and talk about everything and nothing.  The sunshine filled hours were spent swimming, lazing on the raft (no cider this time), and trying our hand at various water sports.  Louis discovered an affinity for kayaking and I developed a new love for stand up paddle boarding, though neither of us felt brave enough to venture past the edge of the inlet in which the cottage resides. 

Our nights were filled with the many diversions offered by cottage life.  Sometimes we would enjoy barbecuing and sipping a drink or two on the deck.  If we were chased inside by mosquitoes, we would try out a few of the random board games.  Both of us have a serious competitive streak, as you can imagine, making it fun.  We also instituted a rule: if either of us was taking the rivalry too far, the other had the right to call out the "safety word" to keep things in check.  My word is "vagina", is  "penis" because we're classy like that. 

Tonight's offering is Settlers of Catan and I am trying to play along like a nice girl, ignoring the fact that I have a serious love-hate relationship with this game.  Don't get me wrong, the game is seriously fun when luck is on your side.  You can build the roads you need and trade like a fiend.  If luck isn't with you, you get seriously screwed.  Every time I play this game with more four people, I tend to be the boob that gets railroaded into a corner.  And it it for this reason that Louis and I have decided to somewhat even out the playing field by each having two settlers in play. 

"Ok.  I'm getting seriously annoyed and I'm totally out of wheat.  I vote will kill this game."

"Thank fuck," replies Louis, tossing his cards on the table.  "I was ready to fold ages ago!"

"Why didn't you say anything?" I ask, feeling relieved I wasn't alone in my frustration.

"I thought you were having fun"

"I thought you were."

"Nope," I reply with a giggle.  "Guess it's a hard pass on Settlers then," I say as I start cleaning up the game pieces.   "Want to play something else?"

"Nah, luv.  The thought of playing another game would do me head in."

"Lost your competitive streak?" I tease.

"Never!" Louis retorts with a smirk.  "I can always take on the best of them."

"Who is them?"

"Anyone who challenges me.  And right now that seems to be you!"

Louis circles around the table and grabs me from behind.  I squeal and nearly drop the newly organized Settlers box on the floor.   Gracefully, Louis tips it back on the table with his foot without letting go of my waist.

"Mad skills, yeah?" Lou pronounces as he hauls me backwards away from the table, making me laugh.  He jostles me slightly and places me in a fireman's hold over his shoulder and marches me over to the living room.

"I'm impressed," I stammer between giggles.

"You should be, I'm brilliant." 

"And oh so very humble!"

"Indubitably!" Louis says with a silly voice.

"Oh shit!" I say, with a mocking tone.  "Now you're bringing out the big words!  Be careful.  You might betray how smart you are.  It'll ruin your chavy reputation."

"Never!" Louis repeats loudly as he dumps me down on the couch without ceremony and starts making wild gestures of victory with his arms.

"You are too weird," I say, unable to hide the smile that is creeping across my face. 

I love Louis' silly side.  I can see why he makes an amazing big brother and feel so glad that he is willing to drop his guard so completely with me.  Freedom can't be easy when the world is constantly watching you, something I have never had to experience.  And to have dealt with at such a young age and still manage to mature into a properly functioning adult is a huge acheivement.  My heart swells.

Louis catches a look at my face and stops his goofing.  He gives me a sideways glance and raises one eyebrow. 

"What's that brain of your processing?  I can practically see the wheels turning."

"Oh yeah?" I say, challenging him with an eyebrow of my own.

"Yeah, luv," Louis replies, coming over and lifting my hair away from my face and examining my ears.   His breath pleasantly tickles my ear lobe and somewhere far below.

I swat his hand away.

"What are you doing, loser?" I ask in a snarky voice.  My lifted eyebrow does double time.

"Checking for smoke!" he replies, warranting another smack to his arm.  "Ooh, getting shirty are we?" 

Louis shifts his weight forward and tries to wrestle me once again, but I am ready for it.  I deke left with a swift roll and he lands face first on the couch letting out a large grunt.  I whoop in triumph!  My celebration is short lived, though, as Louis recovers himself and pounces on top of me.  I squeal and use my arms to try to leverage his chest away.   Louis pins my arms in retaliation and flashes his famous shit-eating smirk. His crystal blue eyes dance mischievously.

He is so beautiful.  A sharp intake of breath forces itself into my chest.

The sparkle in Louis' eyes deepens a little and I see his eyes wander to my lips. He shifts his weight to make me feel less captive and more willing accomplice. His hands glide down my forearms and soon I feel his fingers wrap around mine. 

Louis adjusts his weight once more so that he is parallel to me on the couch, leaning over where I lie, never letting go of my hands.  He looks at my face and pauses.  I meet his gaze and let my own linger over his features.  Time seems to stop around us. 

A smile creeps across my lips and my chest feels full and tight.  Butterflies are zipping around my belly.  I watch as Louis takes the hand closest to him and places gentle kisses across the tops of my knuckles.  He then brushes my fingers lovingly against his cheek.  The butterflies start to tumble even more freely. 

I release his grip and caress his cheek.  Smooth as a baby's bottom along the top and prickly across his stubble.  I trace the lines of experience that tug at the corners of his eyes, smooth the worry lines on his forehead.  Louis' eyelids flutter slightly as my hand moves but he maintains eye contact. 

I get lost in the moment and my hand unwittingly halts, cupping his cheek.  Louis mirrors my hand position and then lightly presses his lips to mine.  The kiss is tender and full of unsaid words. 

I kiss him back. 

The passion between us finds a new rhythm.  Soft and sweet.  No push and pull of unadulterated wanting, but rather a deep, loving expression that is simultaneously restrained and pregnant with a need for closeness.  Our breath intermingling in a heady experience that transcends all of the previous kisses...

I sigh deeply into Louis mouth and he smiles.  He pulls back and then lies his head down on my chest.

"Ev?" I him say into my chest.

"Yes?" I ask quietly.

"You make me feel like home."