So Sublime

Rachel Mason is in love.

Of course, she has known this for some time but had put paid to any chance that someone could love her back with the passion which she longs for.

Love has always been a concept unfamiliar to Rachel. Love was always something out of her reach; a staple of her favourite films and novels. Hearts, flowers and happy endings. It was a reality belonging to someone else, never to her.

But one man has changed that and in turn restored her faith in the male sex. Eddie, with his kind eyes, gentle patience and a heart brimming full of love for her.

"Eddie, are you ok?"

He leans forward to retrieve his pint from the table; wincing slightly as he moves. Rachel places her hand on his back and gently rubs it.

"Owww."

"Is it still hurting?"

"Yeah. I think I've pulled a muscle."

"Can I do anything?"

He leans back into the chair and discreetly places a hand on Rachel's thigh before whispering into her ear. "Maybe a massage might help to ease the pain."

She bats him away playfully, blushing slightly, before removing his hand from her thigh and taking a sip of her wine. "I'm sure it would but perhaps this isn't the place..."

He looks around the crowded pub before focusing his attentions back on his girlfriend. His girlfriend. This never fails to make Eddie feel as if he is about to burst with pride. Could it be that the beautiful woman sat in front of him could possibly love him as he loves her? He has been trying to build himself up to tell her how deeply he feels but as yet, he has found that he stumbles over the words he so longs to say.

"No, you're probably right. I don't particularly want to get barred especially as you wont let me watch the football at yours."

"Haha. Its not that I won't let you watch the football, I just think that there is better use of our time in the evenings."

"Oh, yeah?"

"Yes. Like marking, planning, cooking-"

"Very funny. Quite the little comedian you Miss Mason, aren't you?"

"So I'm told." She pauses and glances downwards; gently twisting the bracelet he had given hr between her fingers. "Eddie?"

"Yeah?"

"This bracelet...you didn't have to."

"I wanted to."

"Why?" She meets his eye before looking away.

Eddie, sensing she needs reassurance takes a deep breath before cupping her cheek with his hand so that she is facing him once more.

"Because...because I love you Rach. Is that a good enough reason?" He traces small circles on her cheek with his thumb and she places her hand over his.

"I'd say it's a pretty good one, yes." She leans across and traces his lips with her finger before planting an urgent kiss on his lips before slowly pulling away. "And just for the record, I love you too." Smiling broadly at her response, he draws her towards him.

They leave the pub soon after; both longing for the privacy of Rachel's house. As she turns away from him to unlock the front door, she feels him wrap his arms around her so that they hover just above her waist. The feel of his warm breath on the back of her neck causes her to struggle slightly with the lock and as he begins to place gentle kisses on the side of her face, she pushes the door open and they stumble into the hall. Kicking the door shut behind them, he turns her body so that she is facing him and reaches down to kiss her firmly on the lips as if to signal his intentions. As if sensing this, she takes his hand and leads him towards the staircase; pausing slightly to take of her jacket. Once she has discarded it on the floor, she reaches out to remove his before kissing his neck. She feels him tense slightly and stops; looking up at him to see the blood draining from his face.

"Eddie, is something wrong?"

"The thing is...Um...I don't actually think I can walk upstairs."

"Your back?"

"I think I've jarred something."

She burries her face in his chest in a bid to suppress her muffled giggles.

"It's not funny Rach! It really, really hurts!"

"I'm sure it does sweetheart. I forgot that men have zero pain tolerance." She reaches up to kiss him softly on the cheek. "I'll get you a hot water bottle."

"Rach, there's only one thing that works for a bad back."

Rachel pours herself a cup of coffee and places it on top of the breakfast bar. Stooping down next to Eddie, she watches him for a second before placing a hand on his forehead. The evening has not exactly panned out in the way which Rachel had expected. She has spent the last hour and a half sitting at the breakfast bar half reading her book whilst Eddie lays flat out on the wooden kitchen floor; letting out occasional grunts to reaffirm the fact that he is in pain.

As he feels her touch, he opens one eye and looks up at her. "I should never have agreed to that bloody assault course today."

"Hmm, I don't know. I was quite impressed by your athletic ability."

"Were you now?"

"Yes."

"Rach, it really hurts."

"Do you want some painkillers? I really don't think that lying on a floor is going to help."

"It's a failsafe cure. I swore by it in my rugby playing days."

"You used to play Rugby?" She raises her eyebrow at him. "You've gone up in my estimations Mr Lawson. Now, do you want those painkillers or not?"

"I can think of something which might help ease the pain a little."

"Like what?"

"Like this." He takes her hand and she giggles as he pulls her on top of him.

"I don't see how this will ease the pain."

He crashes his lips onto hers; placing his and on her back before manoeuvring her so that she is lying on her back. He props himself up on one elbow and she places a hand around his neck and pulls him towards her. After a moment he pulls away and lies besides her.

"Ow."

"I told you it wouldn't ease the pain."

"Was worth a shot though, wasn't it?"

Rachel untangles herself from his embrace; planting a quick kiss on his lips. "Most defiantly." She stands and opens a drawer; retrieving a small box. "Painkillers. Take them and then I'll help you upstairs."

"But-"

"No buts Eddie. You can't sleep on my kitchen floor. Now come on, take these." She pours him a glass of water and holds out the painkillers for him to take.

"Rach?"

"Yeah?"

"You're quite sexy when you're bossy."

She rolls her eyes and chuckles at him "Typical man. Take the bloody tablets, will you?"