Sealed With A Vow

Chapter 17- Closer

My eyes fluttered open at the feeling of the cool, ocean breeze as it blew through my hair, slightly tickling my face. I brushed a strand away with my hand then heard a low groan coming from behind me.

"Go back to sleep," Derek mumbled, his warm breath fanning my neck.

I was lying on my side with my back facing him. His arm was slipped around my waist, pressing me to his firm chest.

Holy crap, we were practically spooning, I thought to myself as my body began to do all sorts of things. And I couldn't help the face-splitting grin that was forming on my lips either.

It was an indescribable feeling waking up next to my husband. I felt so content and safe in his arms. I'd never shared a bed with any guy before, not even Nick, so this was all new to me.

"No, I'm already awake." I sighed, stretching both of my arms before turning around so that I was facing Derek.

His dark brown hair was all tousled up, making him look even sexier. I suddenly had an urge to run my fingers through it, just to see if it was as soft as it looked.

Ok, now I was just being plain creepy.

Moments later, Derek's eyes finally opened and he gave me a swoon-worthy smile, revealing his perfectly straight, white teeth.

"Good morning," he said.

Damn, he had a sexy morning voice.

"Did you sleep well?", I asked. He nodded in response.

"You know, I think that was the best time I'd ever slept in months," he remarked, propping himself up on one elbow as he gazed down at me.

"Me too," I agreed.

"That's good. Oh, and I forgot to ask you about how the Padres game went last night. Did they win?"

"Yup. Charlotte was beyond ecstatic," I said, laughing lightly.

"And what about you?"

"I was happy, too. I've never really been a fan of baseball, though," I replied.

"Why not? It's probably one of my favorite sports besides football."

"There isn't any action. It's just so...boring."

Derek looked at me like I was some foreign ape from outer space and began to shake his head in mock disapproval.

"You don't know what you're talking about," he chided. I playfully rolled my eyes at him.

"Oh puh-lease, hockey games are so much better."

"Of course you'd say that. What is it with you Minnesotans and your hockey obsessions?", he teased. I pretended to clear my throat before speaking.

"Well first of all, we are the State of Hockey. And second, hockey is the greatest sport ever known to mankind. It requires a lot of skill, but man is it fun to play, especially when you get to be center like me."

Derek had a bemused expression on his face as he stared intently at me.

"When's the last time you went to an NHL game?"

"Three years ago."

"That long?" Derek's eyes widened in utter surprise. I slowly nodded my head.

"Yeah, it was two weeks before Nick's death. He's the reason I don't go to hockey games anymore. I'm afraid that if I step foot inside any ice rink, it'd bring back too many sad memories.

"You know, he was also the one that had encouraged me to play in the first place," I said quietly, feeling the familiar ache in my chest that I knew all too well.