Post Valentine's Day Bliss

Lost in this moment with you
I am completely consumed

Ali looked up at Blake and smiled. He’d fallen asleep not even halfway through the movie. She knew he was a goner when he propped his feet up on the coffee table and taken his hat off. Knowing she now had the right to mercilessly tease him about this later, she readjusted the pillow in his lap and snuggled back down.

Turning her eyes back to the TV, she watched the silly comedy he’d picked out and pressed her cheek into his thigh. This sort of thing was so like him it wasn’t even funny. Insisting on watching a silly movie she’d seen a hundred times. Then falling asleep. Then, later, he’d deny it all with a glint in his eye. Knowing this, she often wondered if he had a serious bone in his body. Until recently, she wouldn’t have believed it.

Not until last night.

My feelings so absolute
There’s no doubt

She looked at her hand resting lightly on his knee. Still amazed at the ring that resided there, she sighed, content. How did they get here anyway? It seemed like ages ago that she’d first looked into those big blue eyes and fell for him. But then, when she remembered it at times like these, it was as close as yesterday. It had taken so long to find her place in her arms, but it all happened so fast.

Does that make any sense?

Remembering how distraught he was last night, how scared he was to even ask, she supposed it made perfect sense. At least, when you consider the source it did.

She’d thought the attraction was one-sided for a long time. Then, when she began to notice him noticing her, she figured it was nothing more than mutual lust. But that first time…

The first time he touched her, gently, smoothing her hair back from her face, smiling that trademark smile, she knew that for her, it was more. Much, much more. And that she’d been forever changed by her time with him. No matter how brief it might be.

Even if he never felt the same way.

Sealing our love with a kiss
Waited my whole life for this

Blake stirred, shifting on the couch, getting more comfortable. Briefly opening one eye, he watched her turning her ring over, letting it catch the light. Opening his mouth to tease her for doing what she considered a silly thing, he found his heart caught in his throat. Unable to speak, he just observed her actions.

She held her hand out, spreading her fingers, admiring the way the ring looked on her hand. Turning her hand over, palm up, she studied the way the platinum band fit around her ring finger. Smiling dreamily, she brought her hand back in, wrapping it around his thigh in a subtle hug.

Suddenly, he couldn’t breathe; his thoughts were in a jumble. Looking down at her, head resting in his lap, eyes slowly giving in to the need for sleep, he knew he’d made the right decision last night. He knew, more than ever, that he needed, wanted her by his side. Always. He brushed his fingers lightly across her cheek. That lazy smile he was so fond of crossed her face with the gentle touch.

“You missed the movie, lover.”

“I know,” he confessed. “But watching you is so much better. He skimmed his fingers through her dark hair, exposing more of her face to his gaze. “I think it’s bedtime.”

Sitting up, she agreed. She stretched; arms in the air, letting one fall on the back of his neck when she was done. Gently scratching his neck, she leaned in for a kiss.

“Just one,” he murmured, pressing his lips against hers. “And one more.” He kissed her again, pulling her into his lap. “And now, it’s really time for bed. He proved his point with a not-so-subtle yawn.

Watching all my dreams come true
Lost in this moment with you

Blake stood, lifting her in his arms and carried her down the hall. Ali looped her arms around his neck, snuggling her face against his skin. Too tired to care, she slipped her jeans off and crawled into bed in his borrowed shirt. She watched him undress, tossing clothes to the floor haphazardly. He climbed in beside her, pulling her back to his chest, holding her.

Placing a chaste kiss on her neck, he whispered, “Sleep well, Cookie. I love you.”

She smiled against his forearm. “Love you too, Cowboy.” She closed her eyes and dreamed. Dreams of him, and her, together.

Lost in this moment with you