Chapter 6

I paced nervously around the kitchen while I waited for Athrun to arrive.

"Why are you pacing? What is wrong?" Lacus looked up from her textbook and eyed me.

"I don't know. I am sort of freaking out," I admitted, taking a swig from my water glass.

"About what? Seriously, Cagalli, I haven't seen Athrun touch another girl since your crazy date that night." Lacus tried to catch my gaze, her eyebrows raised.

I shook my head and continued wearing down the kitchen floor. "It's not that."

"Then what is it?" She sat up straighter, laying her pencil in between the pages of her book and closing it shut.

I stopped walking, took another drink and swallowed forcefully. "I just don't get why Kira can't take him to the bus tomorrow. Why does he want me to do it? And why is he leaving me his death machine?"

Lacus signed heavily. "Can't a guy do something nice?"

"How is that nice?"

"Last time I checked, your car is sitting pretty back at home."She smirked, her head swiveling back and forth in disbelief.

"So?"

"So he is leaving you his. That is nice of him."

"I guess." She had a point, but my defenses were still up. "But why is he staying over?"

Lacus mouth fell open as she leaned her head back. "I cannot believe I missed the obvious." She admitted before smacking her palm against her forehead. "This is your first sleepover with Athrun. You are scared to spend the night with him. That is what this is about."

My stomach flipped and rolled her words. I stared at the kitchen tiles.

"Earth to Cagalli, hello?" Lacus snapped her fingers in my direction and my eyes jerked up to meet hers.

"I am not scared." My voice shook slightly. "I am just…not ready."

"Why not?"

"Because once you give your body to a guy, there is no taking it back. And once you have done that, it will open up feelings, emotions and vulnerabilities you never knew you were capable of having. I am not ready to give him my heart. What if he breaks it?"

"What if he doesn't?" Lacus shot back.

The quick knock on the door startled us both and Lacus gathered her composure before I did. "Come in," she yelled behind her.

The door swung open and Athrun walked in, carrying his baseball bag in one hand and an overnight bag in the other. I watched as he dropped the baseball bag next to the door and then disappeared with his overnight bag into my bedroom. I quickly widened my eyes at Lacus before he walked back into the room. She stifled a laugh.

"Hey Princess," He nuzzled his lips against my neck and I felt my knees begin to shake.

I forced a nervous smile. "Hungry?"

"Starved," he answered, before his lips met mine.

All my thoughts scrambled inside my head as I released them and lost myself in his mouth. No matter how hard I tried to fight it, Athrun Zala always turned me to mush.

When he pulled away, I braced my hand against the countertop to steady my shaking body. Once I was certain my legs would carry me without falling, I headed toward the refrigerator and opened the door, tearing through every tray and cabinet.

"Your options are grilled cheese, mac and cheese or ramen noodles," I announced, somewhat embarrassed by our lack of food choices.

"I can only picky one?" Athrun teased. "What if I want them all?"

"Then you can make them." I smirked while holding the door open with one arm. "So, Athrun, tell me what you want."

"I sort of do want them all. Is that bad? I will help." His face crinkled as he braced for my reaction.

I couldn't help but laugh. "Fine. You can make the mac and cheese and I will make the rest. Deal?"

I watched as the tension released from his cheeks and his irresistible smile appeared. "Deal."

"Look at you two. Cooking in the kitchen like an old married couple," Lacus remarked from a safe distance.

I turned toward his wishing I could suddenly shoot darts from my eyes. "Old married couple, my ass. We haven't made it through one road trip."

Athrun put down the pot he held and reached for me. He wrapped his arms around my waist and held on to me tightly. "Princess, are you worried about this road trip? I am not going to screw up. I promise."

I avoided his eyes, looking straight past him toward the wall in the distance. His fingers were suddenly caressing my cheek, before they forced my chin upward. "Look at me Cagalli," he pleaded softly.

I closed my eyes tight before opening them and focusing on his. It was hard to put my feelings into words, all my insecurities and fears coiled inside me, eating away at the trust we had built.

"I don't want any other girl." He brought my hand to his lips and kissed it gently. "You hear me?"

"I hear you," was all I could force out in a whisper.

"But do you believe me?" He cocked his head to one side and raised an eyebrow.

I shrugged my shoulder. "I guess we will see."

"I guess I just have to prove myself."

I rolled my eyes and he pressed his warm mouth against mine, his tongue parting my lips. I jerked away. "If this is your way of proving it….."

His mouth instantly found mine again, the heat between us hot enough to start a fire. I found myself suddenly aware of his fingers and their location against the small of my back, pulling me against him. His body grew harder with every moment that passed and my defenses lowered.

I maneuvered my hands underneath his shirt and ran my fingers along the curves of his back. His skin was smooth and soft, yet hard and muscular. I found myself unable to stop exploring as I caressed every inch I could reach of his warm skin. Feeling his body this way sent excited tingles throughout my entire body. He pressed the hardness in his jeans against me and I struggled to catch my breath. And even though I wasn't ready to be one of Athrun Zala's conquests, I found it difficult to resist him.

Lacus cleared her throat. "After this little show of yours, I feel like I should leave a tip."

I peeled my tingling body away from his and wiped at my bottom lip, lusting blurring my vision.

"We take quarters." Athrun smiled before leaning in for one last peck.

Lacus's face scrunched up with confusion at the inside joke I realized I had never shared with her. "Whatever. I have to finish my homework. Hurry up and make food. Athrun isn't the only one hungry."

Athrun impressed me by not only helping cook dinner, but cleaning up as well. He attempted to swat me with the dish towel a total of twelve times. It annoyed the hell out of me, but I will have to admit, I also found it charming.

"What are you thinking about?" Athrun asked, leaning his hip against the counter.

"I was just thinking about us." I flashed him a reassuring smile as I placed the towel back around the handle of the stove.

"What about us?" He took a step toward me.

I put my hand up to stop him. "Just about how differently I feel about you today versus when we met at the party that night."

"And how do you feel about me today?" He grabbed my hand and tucked it behind my back, pulling my body against his.

"Well, I don't hate you today." I smiled, my heart rate picking up speed.

His lips moved toward my face, brushing against my cheek without stopping. "You didn't hate me that night either," he whispered, his breath hot against my ear.

Excited chills replaced my will to playfully fight back. I pushed him and spun on mu heels away from his hot body. "I have to get ready for bed."

"I will come with you," he called out to my retreating back.

I stopped and turned to face him, my eyes narrowing. "No, you will not." I pressed my hand firmly against his hard chest. "You will stay right here, until I am done. Go watch TV or read a book or something."

His eyebrows pulled together. "Seriously?"

"Seriously."

His face softened, a half smile appearing. "Okay, Princess. You get ready for bed and I will wait here."

I assumed he thought I was up to something, but the truth was I had no intention of doing anything with him tonight. I wasn't ready.

I washed my face, brushed my teeth and l slipped into my white tank top and pink boxer shorts before reentering the living room.

"You can come in now," I announced from the doorway.

Athrun's gaze slid over my body, then he pushed himself up from the couch and walked toward me, a smile plastered on his face. "Night, Lacus." He placed his arm around my backside with his hand and steered me toward my bedroom.

I watched as he closed the door behind him and walked over to his overnight back.

"I brought you something." He pulled an empty mason jar from his bag and handed it to me.

I turned it in my hand, my eyes narrowed in confusion before reading the handwritten note stuck to the opposite side.

Cagalli's Quarters

I laughed out loud before placing the jar on top of my dresser.

"These too." He pulled out the bag of quarters from out first date, the sound of them clinking against one another.

"Cute." I smiled as he poured the contents of the bag into the jar.

"You owe me a lot of touches, Princess." His lips pursed together, his tone teasing.

"Apparently. Who knew you could be so clever?"

"Everyone except you," he answered in that cocky tone so unique to him. He took two steps toward me and our faces nearly touched. He brushed his hand along my cheek before placing it behind my neck and pulling my mouth to his. His tongue parted my lips and entered. His hand followed the lines of my curves until stopping on my hip with a firm grip. My eyes rolled behind closed eyelids as I lost myself in his touch.

And as quickly as it began, he pulled away, a satisfied smirk plastered all over his face. He bent down near his overnight bag pulled out a pouch filled with his things. "Is it okay if I jump in the shower?"

"Of course. There's a towel under the sink." I smiled, still trying to catch my faltering breath. My eyes refused to look away from him as he ripped his shirt off and dropped it to the floor near my sink. His tanned, well defined arms caused my insides to stir. He unzipped his shorts before stepping out of them and promptly pressed his body against the counter as he reach for the toothpaste. I forced myself to look away before I started drooling at the sight of him in nothing but well fitting boxer briefs.

Staying strong tonight might be harder than I thought.

When the shower turned off, he opened the door, my green towel wrapped around his waist. Beads of water dripped from his wet blue hair.

"Princess, can you throw me a pair of briefs?"

I tossed off the covers and crept out of bed toward his overnight bag. I opened the bag and noticed dress shirts, ties and slacks. "What is with all the dressy clothes?"

"We have to dress up whenever we travel."

"Why?"

"Because, Princess, it is the rules. We have to look presentable. And we are a professional college baseball team. We have to make a good impression."

"I guess that makes sense," I said, before looking for his briefs.

He laughed. "It is a hell of a lot better than a bunch of rowdy guys in t-shirts and baggy shorts."

Smiling, I continued my search until I found the first pair of briefs I could find. "Here," I said, throwing the undergarment toward his feet.

"Thanks," he responded before allowing the towel to drop to the floor. I felt my jaw dropped right along with it as my eyes refused to look away. My insides flushed with heat as he turned his head to face ne, He smiled confidently before reaching for the briefs and slipping into them.

Holy crap! This night might kill.

"Like what you see?"Athrun teased, his eyebrow cocked as he slipped into bed next to me.

"Why don't you just date a mirror?" I shot back, his cockiness forcing my defensive nature to re-emerge.

"For starters, I can't have sex with a mirror." His mouth formed into a slight smirk that made me want to smack him. Before I could respond his mouth was on mine, his tongue minty from my toothpaste.

My tough defenses faded as the warmth of his skin penetrated my thin clothing, his lower body grinding against mine. The feeling of his hardness working against me caused a slight moan to escape from my lips.

"I want you, Cagalli." Athrun touched his lips against my neck. His tongue was warm on my skin as he licked his way up toward my ear. "I want you," he whispered breathily before nibbling my earlobe, the grinding between my legs continuing.

"Athrun," I spoke his name between breaths. "Athrun, stop." He stopped moving and I felt his heart thumping rapidly against my chest. His thumb rested on the side of my face as I lost myself in the emerald of his eyes. "I am sorry. I want to…..just not tonight."

I braced myself for his reaction, unsure of what it would consist of.

All warmth left me as Athrun rolled onto his side, his body still facing mine. "It's okay, Princess. I don't want to do it if you are not ready." He leaned toward me, his lips pressing against the tip of my nose. "No pressure."

"Thanks." I smiled, grateful he didn't seem angry.

He reached for me. He hugged me tightly before placing my head against his chest, both arms wrapped around me. "Would it help if you knew I was falling in love with you?"

I tore myself from his grip, my eyes locking on his. "Don't play with me, Athrun Zala."

He stifled a laugh as he reached for me. "I'm not."

I leaned down to kiss him, my emotions tangling inside me. "Say it," I begged as my tongue swept across his bottom lip.

"So much for no pressure," Athrun teased.

"Say it," I begged again.

"I…" he hesitated before looking me square in the eyes, his head nodding,"I love you." He pulled at the back of my neck, his mouth devouring every part of mine.

"Athrun." I breathed his name as I melted into him, my legs wrapped around his waist. And just like that, those three little words had changed me. Desire overwhelmed me as I longed to be connected to him in every possible way. "I want you."

He pulled back slightly. "We don't have to do this, that is not why I said it," he said, running his fingers down my back."

"I know it's not, but I want to." I was actually surprised at myself, my pelvis grinding slowly against his as my desire grew.

"You sure?" He searched my eyes as he asked one last time.

"You are trying to talk me out of it?" I teased and rolled away from him.

His eyes widened as he watched me scoot out of my boxer shorts, revealing the light blue underwear underneath.

Lowering his body completely onto mine, he pressed his lips against my neck before heading back to my mouth, where I waited anxiously for him.

My hands dug into his back, his muscles hard and tense. I tugged at the waistband of his briefs, trying in vain to lower them. He slipped them off and I felt his excitement grow as his body pressed against mine. "Do you have anything?" he asked.

"You don't?" I asked surprised.

"I meant to bring one," he explained slowly, his breath hot against my ear. "Just in case, you know?"

I shifted my weight, turning to look at him. "Just in case, huh?"

"Well you can't blame a guy for hoping." His eyebrows arched. "But I forgot it at home."

"Well," I hesitated, "I got on the pill when we started dating."

"You did?"

I smiled sheepishly and nodded slowly.

He pulled away slowly. "I have never…" He started to say before stopping short.

"Never what?" My breaths quickened.

His eyes met mine with longing and uncertainty. "I have never done it like this before," he admitted.

"In a bed?" I teased, unsure of his meaning.

"No." He paused. "I mean like this. Without anything else."

I was almost awestruck when I realized that he meant without a condom. Athrun's vulnerability shone through him in that exact moment like a lighthouse light in a raging storm. Somewhere along the way, we had crossed an imaginary line where feelings and emotions blurred into the unknown. A place neither of us dared go before.

"Really? Not ever?" I slid my hand down the back of his neck, his muscles straining against my fingertips.

"Never. If I didn't have one, I didn't do it. There has never been anyone like you, Cagalli. There never will be." His admission silenced us both as the weight of the moment sunk in. After a moment of silence, he continued, "You know this changes things." His eyes searched mine for acceptance and understanding.

"Prove it," I said with a slight smile, remembering the words I spoke after our first kiss.

"I love you, Cagalli." His voice was so sincere that I blinked back the tears pooling in my eyes.

"I love you too," I admitted and his lips were instantly back on mine.

The rest of the night felt incredible. My body tingled everwhere, from my scalp all the way down to my toes.

I drove Athrun to the baseball stadium at five the next morning. When we arrived, I looked over at the rumbling bus and Athrun's teammates.

Athrun hopped out of his death machine, grabbed his bags and walked over to the driver's side where I reluctantly sat.

"Take care of my pride and joy." He grinned.

"You know it's just going to sit in the parking lot at my apartment, right?" I shrugged.

He leaned into me, kissing my nose. "Last night was amazing. I love you. I am sure I will fuck it up because I don't know what the hell I am doing. Just promise me that you will be patient with me. Grade me on a learning curve or something?"

"You should really go into sales, you know that?" I teased, rolling my eyes.

"Promise me, Princess. Patience."

"Only if you promise not to do anything that embarrasses me or make me look stupid."

"Deal." He grinned and I leaned in to kiss him.

Hoots and hollers filtered into the air. He pulled away, turned around and waved off his teammates.

He leaned in, giving me one last kiss. "I will text you when I get there," he added, before walking away, his body disappearing into the bus.

I will admit I was scared. We had crossed the line and my heart would never be the same, no matter what happened from here on out. But if I wanted him to believe in us, I had to believe in him.

Author's Note:

Another chapter completed.

To clear a couple of comments, a couple people noted that Lacus did a 360 on her opinion on Athrun. I do apologize if it seemed confusing as she originally despised him. However, during the month Athrun and Cagalli began dating, and yes, they are officially boyfriend and girlfriend, sorry for not making that clear in the prior chapter, but during the month, Athrun has been spending lots of time at Cagalli and Lacus's apartment, which allowed Lacus to see a total new side of Athrun.

But once again, thank you for everyone who has reviewed! I appreciate it,

Until next time

: )