A/N: Little bit of fluff and cute Emily-Micah stuff before we dive right into the meat of it all. Enjoy!
Chapter 5: Kiss It All Away
Emily didn't remember falling asleep, but she definitely knew when she woke up. Everything hurts. Her concussion was making it difficult to concentrate. A dull ache had taken up residence right behind her eyes and the sunlight burned through her closed lids. With reluctance, she rolled out of Micah's soft arms and reached in her purse to find her pain meds.
Knowing how much pain he'd be in when he woke, Emily tried her hardest to be quiet as she got a glass of water for herself and one to leave for when Micah woke up. However, as she snuck back into the bed, carefully placing the glass and extra pain med dose on the bedside table, she felt him stir.
"Mmm," he groaned.
He buried his head in her shoulder desperately wishing the sun would go away and leave him alone.
"Morning," she kissed his temple. Thankfully, the pain medication was starting to kick in and, in the process, kick out her dull ache.
She reached over and placed the pills in one of his hands and held the water out for the other. Dutifully he took his medicine before burying his head back in his pillow. That's not such a bad idea. The pillows seemed to call her back to them so she eased herself back onto her side. As his breathes rose and fell, she watched his features move- committing each of them to memory.
He is practically perfect. Sexy and smart. But considerate and caring. God, he's so considerate and kind. And even attentive. Not to mention talented.
Each time he breathed out, his mouth slightly curved up at the corners. Like he was having a good dream and each moment made it better. The sun broke through a cloud and she noticed the morning stubble peppered across his jawline. She shivered as she remembered that jawline.
What does he see in me? He, who is so perfect, is not supposed to be with awkward, nerdy Emily Owens. He's supposed to be with someone like Dr. Kelly Hamata. She's feminine and graceful and smart without being nerdy. And she probably actually contributed when they had sex.
She shivered again. The thought of Micah having sex with someone else, of doing the same things he did to her body to anyone else, made her irrationally upset. Not to mention the guilt of last night.
He's probably realized now just what I am. No more pretending. He's gonna wanna get out now. Be prepared. He's too nice to say anything so you have to look for the signs. Don't make this harder on him.
"Watching people sleep in many cultures is considered creepy," he said, eyes still closed.
She just smiled a little and breathed out a little 'sorry.'
He opened his eyes again and took a moment to focus on her. "What were you thinking?"
"Nothing," she lied with a forced smile.
"Liar," he was now fully facing her, eyes focused intently on hers.
Shit. I ca-can't- Well, maybe I should. Maybe I should just say it for him. It's the least I can do.
"I was thinking about how much of a mistake you are realizing you made."
Hurt flashed deep in his eyes. "You- " he began.
She was confused. No, not me. You.
"You felt like last night was a mistake?" he asked nervously.
He'd never looked so vulnerable. His voice was husky with emotion and his mouth was slowly dropping.
"God, no. You-"
"No," he cut her off.
"But-"
"Last night was the best thing that I've done in a while," he responded, reaching out to grab her hand.
A black hole of swirling thoughts were eating away everything Emily thought she knew.
"But I… I was so selfish. I didn't-" she couldn't finish the thought.
Understanding dawned on his face, "Emily, you were amazing."
"I felt like a limp noodle."
Micah couldn't help it, he laughed. Taking the time to roll closer to her, his arms stretched out to pull her close again. "You were sexy," he sucked on the soft skin below her ear, "You were beautiful," he kissed her jawline, " You were amazing last night."
She moaned a little and titled her neck to give him better access, but he gave her one last kiss before getting up out of bed. The view from the bed of his retreating pajama clad ass and bare back slightly compensated for the loss of body warmth.
"Didn't I mention how cranky I get when my warmth leaves?" she called teasingly as she pulled on his shirt. It was soft and well worn. It smelled like him too.
"Are you smelling my shirt?" he asked with clear indication he thought she was insane. She dropped the front of the shirt from her nose and smiled back, "Maybe."
She sashayed around him with ease to start the coffee pot. "And tell me, Dr. Owens, what does it smell like?"
"Funny, you should ask, Dr. Barnes, because I was just trying to figure that very thing out for myself."
She leaned against the counter and squinted in mock concentration, "Something green. And clean."
He laughed, "Well I'm glad it smells clean."
She handed him a cup of coffee and sat on the edge of the couch, folding her legs underneath her carefully. She took one last whiff and closed her eyes, letting him wash all over her.
He stood there amazed as she sat in a seeming trance of bliss. A smile broke on her lips, "Eucalyptus."
She turned to look at her and he raised his hands in a "guilty" position. "It's a stress reliever and works great in lotion, I'll have you know."
He joined her on the couch, "What would you like to have for breakfast?"