Miriah opened her eyes and nearly jumped out of her skin. She'd never fallen asleep with anyone else in her bed, hell, she barely slept at all as it was. Still, she couldn't deny that she was warm and relaxed, two things she enjoyed. She gently freed herself from Corso's arms and made her way to her 'fresher. Once she'd filled and drank two glasses of the cold water, she looked up to see someone she barely recognized in the mirror. The woman staring back at her looked younger, more confident, freer than the one she was used to seeing. Her hair was everywhere, and her lips were still puffy, but she saw the pleased look in her eyes, and the ghost of a smile, and nodded to herself. Who would have thought that Corso was the one, she wondered. I should be freaking out, right about now. But I'm not. What does that say? She picked up her hairbrush, starting to work on the mass of tangles. She felt the slight ache of seldom used muscles, and her thoughts went to how they'd gotten that way. The look on his face, she thought, when she took him inside her, made her feel like the most special person in the world. Maybe I'm not so bad at this after all, she mused.
Corso woke, his arms as empty as the bed. Dammit, he thought. I must have done something to upset her. He lay still, trying to hear where in the ship she was. Finally he thought he detected her humming, and saw her turn the light off in the 'fresher. Whew, he sighed to himself.
Miriah saw that his eyes were open, and feeling sexy, she posed provocatively for him at the door, one arm above her head, and one hand on her bare hip, that sassy grin on her face. Corso returned her grin, sitting up, although carefully, since seeing her pose had woken him up fully. She walked toward him, totally comfortable in her skin, and crawled up the bed to sit in his lap. Corso was speechless; if he was reading her eyes correctly, she was not only herself, but eager to be with him again. His arms wrapped around her and she gently bit his shoulder, immediately soothing the spot with her tongue. He really wanted to talk, but was distracted by her being so close and their skin to skin contact. Miriah lifted her lips for a kiss, which he gladly gave her, but before she could do anything else, he spoke. "How do you feel?" he asked, his deep voice instantly calming.
"I'm fine, I told you I would..." he stopped her with a finger pressed to her lips.
"No, here," he said, trailing his fingers down her chest, over her heart.
"Satisfied, safe, wanted," she said. She'd almost said the L word, but bit it back, not sure if she was ready to commit to that yet. She glanced into his eyes, afraid of what she would see there, not willing to hurt him. To her surprise, he smiled at her, his eyes at peace. "What about you," she asked.
"Amazed, blessed, loved." There, he thought, I said it. Her eyes jerked to his, shock and confusion written on her face. "It's okay, darlin'. You don't have to say it back, but you have to know by now, I love you." He kissed the tip of her nose before she pushed away to stand. Miriah grabbed the tshirt he'd had on earlier and tossed it over her head before she made her way out into the ship.
Corso sighed. He remembered something his father had told him once. When you're gentling something wild, slow and steady was the way to go. He got up to find her, grabbing his pants from the floor. He paused at the door to her quarters, reluctant to leave the place he finally felt he belonged, but he knew he had to find her. He didn't have to look far, he could see the edge of his shirt flapping off the end of the captain's chair on the bridge. Her refuge, he realized, and rather than corner her, he went to the galley.
Miriah heard his footsteps and stilled. He loved her? Why, was her immediate question. She knew he'd talked to Mags a few weeks ago, but her sister had been very closed mouth about their discussion. Now, she wondered how many of her secrets weren't secret any longer. She peered around the edge of the tall backed chair, but saw nothing. Curious, she finally stood and walked back toward the main part of the ship. She heard movement in the galley, and quietly made her way there. Corso was preparing something, she saw, and it smelled delicious. She came closer, step by step, until she stood across from him.
Corso looked up at her and smiled. "Hungry?" he asked her. "I am, and I made plenty." He deftly turned something in the pan on the cooktop, and took two plates from the cabinet. He slid omelets on the plates, and held one out to her. She took it, and they moved to the small table.
"Thank you," she said softly, almost shyly. They ate in silence, and when they were finished, he took her hand.
"Now, can we talk?" Miriah nodded, but looked at the table top, unable to meet his eyes. "I know that you don't think you can love, Miriah, but you're wrong. I already feel it, even if you don't want to say it yet." He was amazed he was able to be so bold, but Mags had told him of Miriah's history, and he knew she needed to be reassured. Instead of pressing her, though, he asked a question. "Would you say that you sleep with just any man?"
Miriah's eyes shot to his, and he felt the frission of her anger. "Of course not," she snapped.
"So don't you think we've already crossed that barrier?" he asked. He saw her mulling the absolute logic of his words, and when she accepted them. "I would be happy with you forever, even if you never said it back, you know. They're only words. Your actions, and your passion, speak far louder than anything you say." He expected her to withdraw, and stood to take their plates to the small sink. He heard her move behind him, and turned, not to see her leave, but to see her launch herself at him. He caught her, her legs wrapping around his waist, and held her to him before seeking the kiss he knew they both needed. He carried her back to her quarters, gently placing her on the bed before tearing his shirt off her small body.
He wanted to show her, he thought. Show her how much she means to me, worship her. She was lying on her back, her eyes closed, much as she had before, when he'd used his fingers to please her. Her eyes flew open when he lowered his mouth there instead, her hands grabbing his hair, the sensual moans she was making driving him crazy, but he was determined to make her feel more this time than she had before. He'd seen this done on a holovid, but the experience of it was far more satisfying. The heady power he felt made him feel in control, confident. Judging by her response, he was doing things right.
I want him, all of him, she thought. I might never get enough, she realized, and then accepted that she was fine with that. When his tongue touched her, she was immediately on fire, unable to be still against his onslaught. When she screamed out his name, and he kissed his way back up her body, she was unable to form thought, much less words. Before she had even stopped, he entered her, much easier this time, but with more urgency.
He'd wanted this all for her, but her sounds and reactions had made it impossible for him to go slowly. When he'd reached his orgasm, much sooner that he'd wished, he held her as she shook from her own, planting kisses in her hair. He murmured to her that she was his world, his only refuge, and that he was hers as long as she wanted him. He hoped this would ease her mind about the love issue, while also making his feelings clear.
Miriah was catching her breath when she realized it, that she loved this man. Aside from the physical, she knew he was the only living person she could truly be herself with, and not be rejected. That meant more to her than she could even describe. The fact that their physical relationship was phenomenal was only a bonus, her soul already craved him. She was so sated and relaxed, she jumped when he spoke.
"Darlin', do you need anything?" he asked her, stroking her back. He didn't want to move from this spot, but more than that, he didn't ever want to wake up and her be gone, like before. Miriah smiled and shook her head.
"Just you, just this," she told him, putting her head on his shoulder. She shivered, and he pulled the comforter from the bottom of the bed to cover them. "What about you?"
"I think I'd be happy forever if I could just stop time for this evening," he told her, his voice soft. "I always hoped for this, but wasn't sure it would ever be." He closed his eyes, but they sprung open again when he felt her move to the side of the bed, and stand. He watched as she went to the door of her quarters and closed it, setting the lock.
"Risha doesn't need to see anything here," she told him as she dove under the comforter with him, feeling him let out the breath he'd been holding. Corso looked over at the chrono. The night was almost gone, and he didn't want it to end.
"I can go back to the crew bunks," he said, even though he really didn't want to. Miriah rose on one elbow and frowned down at him.
"What? Why? I thought you were in this for the long haul."
"I am, truly I am," he said, with a grin. "I just didn't want to presume."
"You know I don't sleep well, and that I am always cold. You know that I'm not perfect, and yet here you are. If you don't mind the interruption of your rest, I'm glad to have you here," she told him, turning her back to him but snuggling closer. His arms went around her, and he dropped a kiss on her shoulder.
"I'm here. I will always be, you know."
Hours later, hours that she slept deeply and without nightmares, she opened her eyes when she heard Risha board. She risked a quick glance at the chrono, and bit back a sigh. They needed to be in flight, but she was too warm and relaxed to get up. I'll get up in a few, she thought, closing her eyes. She could feel Corso's warm breath on her neck. She turned in his arms and looked at his face. The scars only added to his charm, and in sleep, he looked peaceful. She placed a gentle kiss on his nose. "I love you, too," she whispered, thinking she was safe in saying what she felt when he was not aware.
Corso had woken when she turned but didn't move, not wanting things to change. He felt the kiss, and then heard her whisper. Good, he thought, trying desperately not to smile. Now the fun begins.
