Courage & Strength- Chapter 6

Owen did not answer, just took her hand and led her down the hallway. Cristina did not speak either. Just let him lead her to what she hoped would be one of the best nights of her life. Her emotions were running ramped. She couldn't describe what she was feeling but she reminded herself that the best feelings are those that have no words to describe them.

Owen reached in and turned the water on and turned toward her. "Are you sure? Are you sure you're ready for this?"

Cristina did not speak. Just shook her head in acknowledgement.

He took the hem of his sweatshirt in his hands and lifted it over her head, letting it drop to the floor beneath them, while reaching for the button of her jeans. He gently pulled the jeans from her hips while kneeling down to pull them from her slender legs. He slowly began to rise but felt her hands intertwine in his hair gently pulling him toward her. He kissed her navel and slowly made his way up, gently kissing her as he did. He came to her breasts where he gently stroked each nipple with his tongue causing her breath to catch in her throat. He to could feel himself becoming aroused and make quick work of discarding his own clothing. He lifted her over the edge of the tub with very little effort closing the door behind them. He closed his eyes for a brief moment letting the warm water wash over his head and shoulders. He then felt her tiny hands begin to massage the soap into the hair on his chest. She continued with his shoulders and arms and gently turned him and continued with his back. She pressed her tiny frame into his body allowing the water to wash over both of them. He raised both arms above his head and braced himself against the shower wall. He could feel himself loosing control and quickly turned toward her taking her into his arms. He kissed her with animal-like passion quickly switching places with her to allow the water to cascade down over her. He took the soap from her hand and began to massage her arms and shoulders working his way to each breast. She threw her head backwards to rest on the shower wall trying to control her own emotions. She opened her eyes to find him smiling down at her.

"We need to get out of here" quickly noting the trepidation on her face, he continued "I want you in my bed"

She turned the water off while he opened the shower doors and reached for a towel. With the gentlest of strokes, he towel dried her hastily not really caring if the entire floor was covered in water. He picked her up with both arms and carried her toward his bedroom. He laid her on the sheets of his bed and dropped down beside her while taking her into his arms. She could feel his massive erection on her belly and pressed him back into the sheets while climbing on top of him. He closed his eyes anticipating the ecstasy of what was to come. He gently felt her lower herself onto him and a small gasp escaped his lips. She began to rock up and down slowly at first but harder with each passing moment. He knew he would not be able to hold back for long. The excitement of their first time being too much for him to fight. He felt her fingers intertwine with his and could feel the exact moment she reached her climax knowing he was not far behind. She collapsed on top of him with a feeling of euphoria; him with complete satisfaction.

They lay in each other's arms for several minutes allowing their breathing to return to normal.

He kissed her temple before saying "That was amazing"

"Yeah it was" she responded while pulling the covers up over them both.

"Worth the wait?"

"Oh yeah" she responded with a smile.

He was curling her hair around his fingers. "Cristina, do you understand why I wanted us to wait?"

"I think I do"

"I have not been in a relationship for awhile now. I don't just jump into bed with anyone. I cannot do that anymore. Not after what I have seen and been able to survive. If I can't put my heart into it, then it is just not worth it to me"

"So, are you telling me that your heart is in this?"

He hoped she already knew the answer to that question. He wanted to respond but needed a moment to decide what he wanted to say. "I am telling you that I Love You. Not for what you are but for what I am when I am with you. Being loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone gives you courage. You give me the strength and the courage to face every day and the challenges that each one brings"

Wow. He even thought that sounded deep to him. He could only imagine what it sounded like to her. Maybe a little to much sharing, he pondered. But, in typical Cristina fashion, she surprised him once again with her response.

"I feel that we all love simply because we cannot help it. We can't help who we fall in love with. I can't help that I fell in love with you. I wasn't looking for it. It just happened. Clearly you weren't looking for it either. You weren't ready to be in a relationship with the things you are fighting either. But here we are. Ready or not"

He smiled while continuing to stroke her hair. "Did you just tell me you love me?"

"Yes" she couldn't look at him. Was she ready to say this to another man? God she was terrified. What if she said it and then he walked away? She couldn't handle it again.

She looked up at him to find him watching her. Waiting. "You don't have to say it. I already know"

She did love him. She knew she had fallen in love with him weeks ago, but was she ready to let him know? She didn't think she could let him NOT hear her say it. She didn't want to hurt him.

"I love you Owen. I do love you but please don't hurt me. I'm not sure I can handle it again"

"Again?"