A/n: So... I just totally had a moment of realization after reading a review. I am going to be gone for a week starting on Saturday. My family and I are taking a trip to Yellowstone and I just realized that I haven't told any of you. So, these next couple days I'll try to update as much as possible. Anyways, thanks to those who reviewed. I LOVE YOU GUYS!

Chapter 14

I sat there crying into Erik's chest for a good half hour. He stayed patiently and at some point, embraced me back. When at last I finished crying, I looked up at Erik who was looking down at me with all the care in the world. "Erik, I met her." He raised an eyebrow. "Christine. I met Christine."

Erik's muscles tensed. He closed his eyes tightly and took deep breaths. I could tell he was trying not to lose it, meaning his emotions. Everything about his body language was proof to my reasoning. What happened next blew me to pieces. "You can leave, if you want to. I'll pay for an apartment of your own. You'll be left alone, I promise this." Loss swirled in his amber eyes, making my heart ache.

I laughed at his words. "Why would I want to leave? Erik," I mustered up as much courage as I could. My arms wrapped around him again, holding him lightly. I breathed in his scent of cinnamon. If I could keep this close to him forever, I would take the chance in a heartbeat, without a second thought. Extending to an arm's length away from him, I looked him in the eye. "Call me crazy, but I trust you."

"Wh... what?" he asked, unable to believe me. "Tanya, you don't want to go through that. Please understand..." The man was a blubbering fool, or at least he was reduced to this. His hands kept running through his neat hair, making it unkempt and stick out everywhere. "I can't let that happen..."

"Erik, it won't happen again. I swear it won't because..." It is now or never. "I like you."

"We're friends, of course you like me, but that still doesn't mean you're safe." Erik placed his hands on my shoulders and grasped them firmly. "You need to leave before I lose control. Take what you need. I have a place you can stay."

"No, no, no... Erik I like you. A lot. Very, very much." Once more, the man grew rigid. "I don't even think I like you. I... I..." Standing on my tip toes, I drew close to Erik's face and whispered "I love you." Ever so lightly, I brushed my lips against his. One of my hands was curled to my chest and the other rested on Erik's chest to balance myself. Suddenly, Erik pressed his lips against mine and his arms wrapped around me. A light feeling filled my chest and my eye lids fluttered. When Erik pulled back, he had a smile on his face.

"Thank you, Tanya. Thank you." With those words, he left me standing in my room. As the door closed and I heard him retreat to wherever he was going, I let out a long sigh. We had kissed. We kissed. Erik and I kissed. I ran into the bathroom and looked at myself in the mirror. A blush sat upon my cheeks and my eyes glittered. Slowly, along with the giddiness inside me, the corners of my lips turned up and formed a smile.

When dinner time came, which I knew it was because I smelt it from my room, I followed my nose to the kitchen. Erik was standing at the stove mixing something in a pan. Coming up behind him, I tapped him on the shoulder and moved next to him. "What are we having?" A surprised look crossed Erik's face for a moment, then it settled into a smile of pure joy.

"I just started these fajitas. Hope that is okay with you." he replied.

"Mmm... that sounds good." It was obvious that both of us still didn't want to talk about our kiss... or try it again, so I leaned up against the counter and watched as Erik stood there. He had a blank look on his face. I wondered what was running through his head. He is thinking about it, I hope. Gosh! He didn't even said he loved me back. When I looked at him again, he was looking at me. "Um... Erik, about earlier. I'm sorry."

"Don't be, Tanya." Suddenly, he was standing in front of me. We were so close to each other, I could feel the heat radiating off of him. "Over these last few months I have been changed because I met you, Tanya. You were like a candle in the window when I was feeling like I couldn't go on anymore. I hold feelings for you that are deeper than the ocean, Tanya. I think I love you." As he bent over to kiss me, he accidently placed his hand on the burner of the stove. "Damn!" He rushed over to the sink and ran cold water over his hand.

A giggle escaped my lips. He glanced over at me. "I'm sorry." Another little laugh. "Don't you know that you're not supposed to mess around in the kitchen, especially while cooking?" I walked over to him and took his hand in mine. Gently, I placed a kiss on his palm. "All better."

Erik grinned. "C'mon. The food is going to get cold if we stand around and I am famished." Dinner was, as expected, absolutely amazing. I had never eaten fajitas before, but on my first bite, I knew it was going to be one of my favorites. We ate in silence, much to my surprise. I assumed it was because we had said everything we needed to say. Afterwards, I cleaned dishes and wiped down the table and counters. Feeling absolutely exhausted, I took a shower, then climbed into bed. Around nine o'clock, Erik came in and said goodnight. That night, I slept soundly, with a smile on my face.

A/n: AWE! ASDFGHKL! They kiss at last, right?! R&R, my lovely readers.