Bestfriend or Best Lover

TWENTY

Belle's POV

Being forcefully dragged into a bone-crunching embrace felt like every ounce of oxygen was being sucked out of my lungs. I wrapped my hands tightly around the arms of my sleeping partner and relished the smells of his natural scent.

"Why do you smell so good all the time?" I asked, needing to know more behind his big secret.

"I wasn't aware I did," responded Arden, gently biting my bare shoulder from behind.

"You do. Like smell of fresh tangy scent flavored and oh, musk." I answer. His signature scent is a familiarity that comfort me.

His stilled movements momentarily before he continued with his hot kisses, each one leaving a burning trail behind.

"It's the body wash and shampoo mom buys in.  And the musk perfume you bought me in middle school, you know that's my signature perfume, I still like to use it," he admitted, quietly so.

Summer would mark twelve years since it was around about that time, Arden admitted he started having feelings for me. Arden's dad - Ali, Wren's dad - Shane, Riley's dad - Rain and Kyrie's dad - Liam had been my Mom's and Dad's bestfriend since their college time and part of the reason why Kyrie, Wren, Riley, Arden, my brothers and I remained so close growing up. Our parents were always together and wherever they went, we weren't too far behind. Arden and I are especially close since we are just a year apart from each other.

"That's nice," I replied, turning from my spooning position as to better view him.

He appeared to be his usual self, though with the added blush from this morning's little roll around.

"I don't really smell it on me, though. I guess over time I got used to it and it faded," he stated.

"Well, I certainly can and I love it," I told him, planting a quick kiss on his chin. "It reminds me of you and when I smell it I feel...safe," I offered, burying my face in his chest after saying so.

He laughed at my mild embarrassment and pulled on my cheeks, keen to see my blushing cheeks.

"I'm glad it does," he stated, plonking a sloppy kiss on my lips.

"We should do something special for officially being together."

"That'll be nice. What do you have in mind?" he asked, inheriting a curious tone.

I slyly slipped in between Arden's neck and shoulder, and purposely kissed his collarbone, thinking up my not-so-genius reply.

"Not sure? Maybe we could plant a tree?" I suggested, thinking my idea sounded off.

"I like that. Maybe we could plant one in the park? And name it after us."

"Yeah," I whispered, rolling my body on top of his after silence consumed us both for a while.

"Shall we concentrate on getting to work before we worry about all that?"

I knew he was getting anxious over the new hotel opening lately, he have a lot to prepare especially now that HR hadn't found a replacement for the GM assistant position and I wanted to help change that.

"We could call in sick today and just bum around all day in bed." he offered.

"Arden!" I stared at him disapprovingly. I know he can't skip work.

"Just kidding." He pinch my nose. "You're right, we should get ready for work?" He concede.

Lately, going into work felt about as inspiring as doing the dishes after dinner. No one in particular wanted to do it but the job was always left for someone to pick up.