She was reading. From where he lay in the large bed he could watch her for as long as he wanted and not let on he was awake. She was sitting in the easy chair by the bay window, legs curled up to keep her feet warm with the book in her lap. As he watched, a lock of auburn hair escaped to fall over her shoulder and she tucked it back behind her ear idly, never once shifting her gaze from her book. He'd learned she was an avid reader, often waking up to find her curled in a corner with a good book, and it made him wonder sometimes what else he had to learn about her. I know that she's ticklish, competitive, has a sweet tooth and can hold her drink, loves reading, sleeping and cuddles...but I don't know everything yet. One day I will though.
"What do you want for breakfast?"
She smiled and peeked up at him, saving her place in the book. "Calling for room service again?"
"Breakfast in bed is always fun."
"Very true." Setting her book down on the table she walked across to sit on the bed beside him, threading thin fingers through his probably rather rumpled hair. "What are you having?"
"The works."
Murrue poked his stomach affectionately. "You'll get fat. Not be much of a snowboarder if you eat too much.."
"But I'll waste away if I don't eat enough.." he whined, pretending to pout at her giggle. She seemed to enjoy teasing and even gently scolding him, but he found it impossible to be mad at her, especially when she smiled at him like she was doing now. Shaking his head he caught her hand and tugged her down to him, nuzzling aside the camisole top she wore to press kisses to her neck and shoulder. "Would you still love me if I got fat?"
"I think I would. You'd still be pretty cute."
Mwu grinned. "Thank you." He ran a hand slowly up her back underneath the silky top, enjoying the way her eyes fluttered closed at the touch, and when he brought her close for a kiss she accepted happily, curling her fingers in his hair. When they broke for air he smiled lazily up at her, brushing the back of his hand against her cheek. "Just think, if I ate too much those other girls wouldn't like me. You wouldn't have to share me then.."
She raised an eyebrow at that. "I share you?"
"You know what I mean."
"Do I?"
He sighed, knowing she was teasing still, but... "You don't like them looking at me, do you?"
Murrue snuggled close to him, resting her head on his chest. "Is it that obvious?" He smiled a little, running a hand through her hair. At first the other girls hadn't seemed to bother her, but now it was clear she didn't like them being there at all. Not that she had anything to worry about. While before he'd rather enjoyed all the attention, things were very different now. The day he'd met her his life had changed forever.
"You don't share me. Not with anyone. Not even with Kira." She giggled at that, just as he'd hoped. Since she'd come to stay here the kid couldn't get him to do anything, whether it be photoshoots or interviews or whatever, but oddly enough he hadn't really tried. He'd met Murrue properly the day she'd moved in and the young woman had unleashed the force of her most stunning smile, reducing the kid to incoherent babbling. And since then he'd been almost as devoted to her as Mwu was. "Though I think I share you with him."
"You think so?" She grinned and hopped up to sit on his lap, sliding her hands under his T-shirt. "We'll have to see about that.." He chuckled and leaned back into the pillow, reaching up to catch her hands and bring her close for another kiss. Neither shared the other and they both knew that. To him, she was everything, and he intended to prove it.
"C'mere you.."
"No, you c'mere.." Pulling up the covers she wriggled underneath them, bringing them up over her shoulders while still sitting on his lap. "Close your eyes." He did as she asked, grinning broadly...this was a good start to the morning.
"We haven't used the hot tub yet.."
"Have we needed to?"
He stretched out with a happy sigh, setting their breakfast plates on the nightstand before wrapping her up in his arms. "Well, it's kind of a shame. It's a nice tub, with bubble jets and everything. And it's big enough for two. What do you think?"
She smiled, imagining the fun they could have. "I think it sounds nice. But we haven't left this room since I got here. Where's that date you promised me?"
"Oh, I did promise you that, didn't I? Let's see...this place has a pretty fancy restaurant, and I bet you I could get us a table. Sound good?"
"It does. But I didn't bring anything fancy to wear.." She'd come to the mountains to recover from illness - a new boyfriend and fine dining hadn't really been on the agenda, and so neither had anything but heavy sweaters and ski pants, apart from a few luxuries. "I did bring a skirt and my favourite boots, but nothing more than that.."
"I think I have an idea about that. If I run some nice hot water later on we can have a play in the bubbles, and you can make yourself even more beautiful before we look for something for you to wear." The way he wiggled his eyebrows when he said 'play' made her wonder what he really had planned, her imagination running wild, and she shivered. That's all he said, and it still made me react like this. Will things always be like this?
"Do I get to prove that you're spoken for, then?"
"I think you already have. I had no idea you were so possessive.."
Murrue smiled and rested her head on his chest, listening to his heartbeat. She hadn't either until she'd met him. Not because he was so famous, but because he was him. He was handsome and funny, a goofball...and she loved him. Closing her eyes she sighed contentedly and he chuckled softly. "Don't go falling asleep on me again.."
"Not going to. Just comfortable is all. Do we have to get up?"
"Not if you don't want to. You don't want me to teach you to snowboard?"
She made a face. She'd seen him doing it, watched him perform some of the tricks that had won him the medals, and while she'd been impressed it had also terrified her. Any moment she'd expected him to trip and fall and break his leg or neck, and had watched through her fingers. Her hug when he'd come back to her had practically squeezed the breath from him. Seeing her discomfort he smiled and kissed the crown of her hair. "I know. I'm sorry.."
"You know it scares me.." she grumbled. I'd never stop him doing what he loves...but I don't want to watch him do it.. The thought that one day he might be hurt or worse frightened her - she loved him far too much. With another little sigh she snuggled closer, not wanting to think too much about it.
"Do you wish I didn't do it?" His voice held a trace of uncertainty, or concern, and she pushed herself up on her elbows to regard him with a scolding gaze.
"And that isn't what I said. I said it scared me, not that I wished you didn't do it. I'd never want to stop you doing something you loved."
"Not even if I loved you more than it?"
She smiled and ruffled his hair. "That's nice to know. But no, not even if you love me more than snowboarding. It's what you do."
"I've been thinking about that. It's not something I can do forever - professionally anyway - and I have enough put away now to not have to worry anymore. I could retire.."
Murrue frowned. "You don't have to do that."
"I didn't want to before. Before, I just had myself, but now I have you. I'd be happy to retire if it meant I could be with you." He grinned happily and she blushed. He was so sure that what they had would last he was willing to stake his career on it? He'd do that for her?
"You're an idiot."
"I love you too."
She sat curled in the covers watching the falling snow outside. He was in the bathroom, the sound of running water mixed with his whistling echoing through the large suite. Just as he'd said, the bath was easily big enough for two, and the thought of it sent little shivers up her spine. Hugging the covers around her she sighed happily, wiggling her toes. Not quite what she'd had in mind - far from just spending a week or two in the fresh mountain air, she'd spent five and a half weeks in the arms of a handsome blonde snowboarder. Erica would kill her. And, as though her nosy best friend was listening in to her thoughts, her cellphone rang.
"Hello?"
"Hi, sweetie, how are you today?"
Murrue smiled, examining her bare feet. "Just fine, thank you. How are things back there?"
"Pretty quiet. Not much work at the moment. Glad to hear you're feeling better now. I hear running water...is it bathtime?"
"Mmm-hmmm..." Glancing up she grinned to see her companion leaning on the bathroom doorframe wearing nothing but a smile. "Hopefully."
"Hopefully? I hear a smile in your voice. Where are you, anyway?"
"Nowhere special.." Settling back on the bed she let the covers drop past her shoulders, enjoying teasing her companion.
"Are you with him? The studmuffin ski instructor? Are you taking a bath with him?" Erica's normally calm voice had risen to a sort of strangled squeak. "When I said you needed to find someone..."
"Oh, this wasn't what you meant?" Murrue blew him a kiss, stretching out lazily and grinning at his intake of breath. "He has a nice hotel room.." Among other things...
"Put him on. Right now."
Hiding a giggle she held out the phone. "My friend wants to talk to you." Mwu blinked, then, as though Erica could see him wrapped a towel around his waist before taking the phone.
"Hello?"
From where she was sitting she could hear her friend loudly scolding him, his expression a picture of dejection. "You don't have to be so mean..." Whatever Erica said to that made him wince, and she had real trouble hiding her laughter. "I..." He actually blushed, rubbing the back of his neck and looking so adorably shy she hopped off the bed and moved to kiss his cheek. "Of course I do. No, I didn't hesitate 'cause I had to think about it...it was cause I never told anyone else.."
"So you do?" This close, Erica's voice came through loud and clear.
"Very much."
"What's your name, anyway?"
He told her.
"Pass me back to Murrue.." The young woman knew very well what would happen next, and she wasn't disappointed. "Why didn't you tell me?"
"Because I knew you'd react like this. He's just a regular guy. I didn't even know who he was when I met him."
"A regular guy who tops the 'eligible bachelor' list in every magazine.." Mwu rolled his eyes and she giggled softly, kissing him again.
"I think he's spoken for now. Do me this favour though...don't tell anyone else. I love him but I don't want the world to know."
"For you, honey, I will. You sure are lucky. Make sure he takes care of you, okay?"
"I will." Ending the call she smiled up at her lover, who looked faintly relieved the whole thing was over. "Is the bath ready?"
His grin returned, becoming rakish as she dropped the blanket she'd held around her shoulders. "Certainly it is, milady. But you're a bit overdressed. Here.." Slowly he slid the straps of her camisole top off her shoulders and carefully lifted it up as she raised her arms, fingers trailing up her sides to make her sigh in bliss. "Perfect.." He followed the path of his hands with kisses, moving downwards to remove the rest of her clothing with deliberate slowness until she grumbled under her breath. "Ah, ah, impatient..."
"Quit taking so long about it. You're driving me crazy.."
"Sort of the idea, sweetheart.." He continued his work until she gasped softly, knees giving way, before scooping her up and carrying her into the bathroom.
"How was the bath?"
She smiled rather dazedly up at him, a pink flush to her cheeks that had nothing to do with the hot water. He'd 'helped' her get washed, finding new uses for soapy hands, and as far as he was concerned it was the best bath he'd ever had. And judging by his girlfriend's expression it had been pretty good for her too. Taking a towel he dried her off carefully, each wisp of the fabric making her shiver. "Want to go down for dinner?"
"Do...we have to?"
He chuckled, pressing a kiss to her shoulder. "You were the one who said we never left the room, and now that we've planned to, you don't want it?"
"You relaxed me too much," she grumbled softly. "Made me sleepy.."
Mwu grinned. "You're not sleepy. Anything but." He proved it by trailing a hand across her stomach, causing her to gasp and arch against him. "See? But if we don't get ready soon we'll miss the reservation.."
"I don't care.." Brushing fingertips over his chest she smiled at his own reaction. "Would they mind if we were a little late?"
He sighed, understanding he'd lost this fight (if it had ever been a fight to begin with). "I don't think they have a choice.." Tugging her onto his lap he kissed her. Dinner would just have to wait.
"You look beautiful.."
Murrue smiled shyly, fiddling with a lock of her hair. He'd found her a dress shirt of his to wear, a sash tied around her waist to make it fit better, her skirt and boots completing the ensemble along with the snowflake pendant he'd given her. Her makeup and hair were perfect...she was easily the most beautiful woman in the room, despite all the ladies in cocktail dresses sitting like peacocks at their tables. What he didn't appreciate were all the men ignoring their own dates to look at his, eyeing her like she was the only girl in the place. He glared at them, pulling her closer possessively. Mine. Not anyone else's, mine. My girl.
He hadn't wanted to bring her down her at first, his desire to show her off warring with the desire to hide her away and keep her all for himself. She didn't need the limelight, and now neither did he. He had company and love, two things he'd always been searching for. Perhaps that was why he'd brought her out here today...it was a goodbye of sorts, the last time he'd be seen this way. I don't need the fame anymore. I have all I'll ever want. I have her.
Sipping her wine she glanced around the restaurant, at the glittering crystal and china, and everyone sitting at their own tables. Most of the men were dressed much as Mwu was, in tuxedos or suits, but not a one of them could compare to him. Some women were watching her with raised eyebrows (probably because of her simple outfit) but most were staring at Mwu, which had ignited a hot spark of jealousy. Stop looking at him! He's not yours to look at! With a little huff she pushed her plate away. "Not hungry anymore.."
"Neither am I.." Standing up he held out a hand. "Shall we go?"
She took the hand with a smile, twining her fingers around his. "We shall."
They didn't need fancy dinners or fancy restaurants. They only needed each other.
( fancy dinner n plenty of naughty XD
please read and review! )