Page 86 of Forever Fascinating

A larger gathering of tourists entered the church noisily at that moment, causing them to look at each other knowingly.

“Let’s go back to the hotel.”

“We’ll grab our Ouzo for our anniversary on the way,” he countered, causing her to look up at him. She saw his knowing smile, realizing that when he felt confident, felt loved, and felt secure… it was encompassing.

He loved with his whole being, and it was these moments that would keep them going.

“Sounds like a plan,” she smiled openly, slipping her hand into his.

* * *

An hour later,after carrying two bottles of Ouzo in a cardboard tote designed for travel, Jana was in her pajamas brushing her teeth. She heard Matthew moving around in the other room and felt almost nervous, because things had changed between them perceptibly.

She wondered if he would try something, or if she was about to see another side of this supposedly ‘dangerous’ man she’d been warned of.

Rinsing her mouth, she quickly brushed her hair and opened the bathroom door, only to smile. He was lying there in the bed, the bolster between them, and had his hands behind his head, staring at the ceiling.

Those running shorts that stopped mid-thigh seriously did a number on her heart.Men should not have such good-looking legs, she mused.

Climbing silently onto her side, she buried herself in the coverlet and hesitated.

“Are you sleepy?” she asked softly.

“Yeah,” he admitted, “but I can’t stop thinking or smiling about things.”

“Oh?”

“I really adore how you just seem to know me or understand, when sometimes I can’t explain it myself, you know?”

“Today was a big day,” she said quietly. “Lots of firsts…”

“Aegean Sea…”

“Dancing like weirdos…” she volunteered, causing them both to chuckle.

“Saying ‘I love you’…” he replied gently.

“Promising forever…” she countered, and then caught her breath. Reaching over, she yanked the bolster over her, throwing it onto the floor. She snuggled up to his side, hearing his breath catch wildly.

“Don’t get grabby. I just want to hold you a little while longer.”

His arm wrapped around her as she put her head on his chest, listening to his heartbeat. The feel of him, knowing the man she loved was there beside her, holding her close, was encompassing.

Her brother had told her once that he just wanted to hold Karen as Jana had caught him sneaking out of Karen’s room. She understood now. There was a certain closeness, an innocent intimacy, in holding someone you loved while they slept.

“If I promise not to be grabby, can we keep the bolster out of the bed?” Matthew whispered against her hair, kissing her tenderly. “I like holding you close.”

“It’s gone,” she said simply. “Goodness, you’re warm… like I have my own personal heating blanket.”

“Excellent for keeping warm during the winters in Massachusetts,” he teased, causing her to laugh softly against his chest as she gently swatted at him playfully.

“I love you,” she breathed against his T-shirt, and felt him kiss her forehead.

“I love you, too.”

CHAPTER23

VAPOR

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