Dabbling in Danger

Only You

"You're beautiful you know that?" I whisper. I watch her cheeks rise as she smiles. Malina's eyes are closed, relaxing as I massage her neck, thankfully so. I'm sure to have a stupidly smitten look on my face. "Not in just the way you look, but in the way you think, the way you carry yourself, your strength."

My hands slide around to her nape then I start to knead my fingers across her scalp.

A small hum leaves her lips as she relaxes under my touch.

"Excited about Saturday?"

Malina's eyes flutter open, "yeah I am. I'm sort of nervous though, about walking across the stage."

"Just as long as you stay relaxed and confident, you'll do perfectly."

"What if I trip and bust my ass?" she asks.

I chuckle, "if you're that concerned, maybe don't wear heels."

Her smile lingers and I lean down to kiss her softly.

"Oh," she says under my lips.

I sit up, "I noticed you didn't visit Tiana this week," she says. "Were you planning to tomorrow?"

My stomach churns and I fall silent. That is until Malina looks at me, the pain she's been trying to hide all week finally surfaces.

I shake my head feeling ashamed, "I wanted to tell you earlier."

Her eyebrows scrunch up, I continue.

"I'll be picking up Tiana tomorrow morning, said she wanted be at your graduation as well."

I feel Malina stiffen in my lap. She takes a deep breath, her chest rising then falling and she recloses her eyes, head rolling to the left, resting her cheek against my thigh.

"Okay," she sighs.

I scramble to keep her here with me.

"Malina, I want you to know this... I realize now that I was foolish to think and get offended that you didn't believe me, when I said nothing would change." I sigh, "I was wrong because I know now that a lot's going to change just as everything has continously changed over these last few months. But here's what I'm certain will not," I grab her hand in mine, "my love for you. I love you Malina, no one and nothing will stop those feelings. There's only room for you in my heart and all I'm asking from you is to stick with me through this mess until I'm able to deal with Tiana properly."

She slowly turns her head to look at me again. Tears sting her eyes and I hear the tremble in her voice.

"Are you sure that you love me?" She asks, barely getting the words out.

I gently rest my palm against her cheek.

"Yes," I say confidently. "I've been sure for a while now."

"I love you too," she whispers, tears falling.

I take her face in my hands, lean down and kiss her longingly. Her tears shed, wetting up my face and shirt.

"I never knew how much I wanted to hear you say those words," I whisper.

She reaches a hand up to my cheek now.

"I never knew how badly I wanted to say them," she says softly.