Disclaimer: I don't own.
I've spen going crazy over this chapter trying to perfect it so you know, you better like it. Plus it's short so I'm sorry.
And because someone requested here's a re-cap.
Recap:
Zach confesses to being a pansy cause he's afraid of shopping. Matchmaker Macey is getting her psycho on by trying to pair up the insanely crazy almost pregnant couple. Cammie hates Gain but loves it on Zach's clothes which she wishes would be on the floor instead of him - if you catch my drift. And then they make out like teenagers on her bed.
Glittering rays of sunlight filtered through the curtains, casting a glow throughout the room as the sun began to make its appearance for the day. Propping myself up on my elbow I watched the man laying next to me on his stomach, his face squished into the pillow as he hugged it to himself.
Little sounds came from him as he breathed in and out gently from his slightly opened mouth. Long strands of dark hair fell across his face, partially shielding his closed eyes. Reaching out, I softly pushed back the hair that hid his face, his silky locks running easily through my fingertips.
Zach's breath hitched for a second before his body began to rise and fall in its regular timing. A string of muffled words fell from his lips while his nose scrunched up in the most adorable way. A wave of giggles streamed out of me. I covered my mouth quickly so as to not wake him up, the chance of ruining the moment weighing out my inability to hold in a laugh.
Snuggling back under my covers, I folded my arms, resting my head onto them and just looked at him. In a completely non-stalkerish way of course. He's my best friend there's a rule somewhere saying that I can take a moment to appreciate him properly.
Something from the corner of my eye caught my attention though. His arm had escaped from the confines of the blanket and was resting above his head, but it was the long, almost faded white scar that was etched into his skin from his shoulder to his elbow. Just from the length, I could tell it wasn't dangerously deep but it had most probably caused a lot of blood.
Despite being naturally observant, I'd never seen it for which meant he obviously hid it well, almost too well. If he could hide it from a seasoned operative, it meant that he didn't want someone to see it, and knowing Zach, that someone was most probably me. If he'd been awake he would have most probably seen the confusion and hurt swimming in my eyes.
Confusion on why he didn't tell me and hurt because of the fact that he didn't. With my index finger I lightly traced the pale line feeling the smoothness of the skin there. It was almost like someone took a white marker and drew it on him the way it perfectly healed back into his normal skin.
"I got back in Tuscany," a voice said softly from next to me. Looking up I found two orbs of pure jade staring intensely down at the spot where my finger rested. An irrelevant blush crept onto my face from being caught. I pulled my finger away slowly before tucking it into my side.
"Why didn't you tell me about it?" I asked calmly covering up the hurt I was feeling inside. I felt the wrinkles in my forehead crease when my eyebrows pulled together as I faced him.
"Because it's not important and I really didn't see the need," he grunted as he pulled himself into a sitting position turning his body to face me. A flash of irritation burned across my skin from his words. "You didn't see the need?" I repeated, letting one eyebrow raise higher than the other. "Bullshit Zach. We don't keep stuff like that," I spat pointing at his scar, "From each other. Especially when it involves one of us getting hurt," I finished angrily, the springs groaning in protest as I heaved myself off the bed.
My hands balled up at my sides, my knuckles turning white as I closed them tighter to stop myself from hitting something, most likely Zach. Hustling across the room, my footsteps were loud and forceful giving away the fact that I was beyond pissed.
"Cammie come on," I heard him call from the bedroom as I stepped into the hallway. The rustle of sheets floated from inside paired with a heavy set of hurried footsteps. Grunting, I sped up my pace in an attempt to get to the bathroom before Zach caught up with me.
Of course though, the fates have it out for me since the moment I sprinted the last foot and grabbed the handle, a coarse hand had wrapped itself tightly around my wrist effectively preventing me from running into the bathroom. Wrenching my hand out of his grasp, I spun on my heel giving Zach the famous Morgan glare.
Never in my lifetime had I used it on Zach, in fact I could count the number of people I've given it to (excluding the criminals and bad guys) on one hand. Today however, was a completely different story and Zach was getting firsthand experience on why you don't piss off a Morgan.
But he wasn't even fazed. Instead, he steeled his resolve, his eyes staring right back into my glower, determination blazing inside their depths. Making one last try, I quickly spun back away from him to get to the door but it had shut in my face the moment I came face to face with it. Zach used my halted response to grab my hands and push me backwards into the opposite side of the hallway, standing right between myself and my sanctuary.
"Don't even think about running away this time Cammie," he whispered right against my ear as he leaned in close, his warm breath causing a shiver to make its way down my back. Despite the fact that I was in control of my emotional state, my physical one had no sense of self-preservation and turned to mush every time Zach came into view.
Obviously that part of me cannot ever be trusted again.
Traitor bitch.
"Let me go Zach," I said through clenched teeth, desperately holding on to my coolness by a string.
"Not a chance in hell," he stated bluntly.
The feelings of being trapped made something in my mind click in place and the self defence moves I'd mastered ages ago came back to me. With steps that came like a second nature to me, I made a fast attempt to get out of his hold, twisting my hands to allow his to bend outwards at an awkward angel.
Unfortunately though, Zach had anticipated my movement and countered it twisting his hands in the opposite direction. Before I could respond, his hand had captured mine in a vice grip and slammed them against the wall.
"Shit Cammie can I get a word in for one second?" he snapped, the green in his eyes setting ablaze with fire. "Sure go ahead. One. Oh look at that, time's all wasted up so how's about you let me go now?"
"Look I didn't tell you about it because I didn't want you to get worried okay!" Zach exclaimed sharply. The words that came out of his mouth didn't surprise me, Zach was always protective, but nevertheless it didn't fail to stun me. With wide eyes the size of saucers I whispered to him, "What?"
"Every single time we get back from a mission, well tell each other everything we're allowed to. We show each other our scars and we let each other in to try and soothe the pain and ease the memories. And every time I tell you what went on, all I can see is the worry and pain in your eyes. You might hide it well from everyone else Cam, but I always see it lingering in the darkness of those pretty eyes."
Avoiding his gaze, I let my head drop down to watch my feet but one of his hands let go of mine and captured my chin, forcing myself to meet his eyes, the deep smoulder swirling in the them made my heart clench almost painfully.
"Those pretty eyes aren't supposed to ever be that sad," he murmured cupping my left cheek with his palm, the warmth it emitted being transferred into my body. I felt just the hints of a blush creep onto my cheeks from his offhanded compliment.
"And every time they are, a piece of me feels like it's getting ripped out from right here," his hand dropped from my face to point at his heart. A breath caught in my throat from the gesture.
"I can't stand seeing you hurt Cam, even if it's for a second. So if it means that I have to keep something from you for you not to worry then I'll do it, because no amount of torture can compare to what I feel when I see that look in your eyes," he finished, his voice quieting down as he neared the end.
Never once did his eyes stray from mine for his whole speech. The sincerity rang clear in his voice, the truth never fleeting from his words, and to be honest? It scared me half to death.
But it also made me fall for him just a little harder, which I thought was impossible seeing as how deep in I already was from before.
I can't lie and tell you I've never loved Zach. That's just a bunch of bullshit because I do love Zach more than anything. In the beginning, I cared deeply for him but only as a friend, except as time goes on, things change, people change and above all feelings change.
They say love is friendship set on fire.
Truer words have never been spoken.
That deep bond I'd formed with Zach as a friend only grew as we got closer, it morphed and transformed into something new over time, but I didn't acknowledge it. It takes someone leaving for you to realize how much they really are an influence in your life.
And when Zach left I could see clearly that I'd fallen for him over time and not only that, but I'd fallen hard, although it took me up till a few days ago for me to finally accept what had happened.
"Zach…" I began but trailed off when he shook his head. A few strands fell into his eyes and I resisted the urge to push them back, scared that the electricity pulsating between us might have burnt me.
"Don't speak yet, just let me finish before I chicken out like I always do," he said the tiniest hints of desperation falling into his tone.
With my now free hand I reached up and pushed the flyways behind his ear, letting my palm trace down the side of his face, gently cupping the side of his face, my silent way of encouraging him to continue.
I watched him closely, took in his movements and analysed them in my head. His Adam's apple bobbed as he swallowed a sure sign of nervousness which was saying something, because Zach wasn't one for nerves.
"I need you."
Three words can make your whole world turn upside down can't they?
"I can't … Not yet ... I can't say it, not yet, but ... I need you Cameron Morgan," he said resting his forehead down on mine. His eyes peered down into mine and I felt my heart explode. My legs turned to jelly and my mouth went dry, all from the sheer intensity that resided in his eyes.
"I need you bad. I'm done with the pretending, the beating around the bush, all the unspoken words. I want you and only you now and every day from now until I die. And then some more."
Zach smiled at me and I couldn't find the strength in me to peel myself away from his mesmerising gaze. If this were any other situation or any other person I can guarantee you that never (times a billion and two) would you see a tear come out of these eyes.
Honestly though, this was Zach we were talking about after all. Zach plus romance novel worthy words equals me blubbering like a fool with tears jumping around in my eyes ready to get the hell onto my face.
I looked down for a second trying to calm the tears. Taking a deep breath, I let it out in a 'woosh' before giving back in and gluing my eyes to his once more. I wiggled the hand that was still trapped by his after all this time. Understanding what I meant, Zach let his hand fall away, his fingertips brushing against my arm leaving a fire in their wake.
With my now completely free hands, I pulled him towards me until his body was flush against mine. Rising on my toes, I pressed a feather light kiss against his lips once then again before he shifted his position.
Familiar arms slipped around my waist, tightening their hold on me and brining me impossibly closer to his firm body. My eyes drooped closed as his lips moved with mine in a slow sensual dance, our breaths mingled with each others' as we opened ourselves up to one another.
The fire between us sparked and crackled as his tongue swept over my bottom lip, begging for an entrance which I greedily allowed him. Our tongues fought for dominance amongst each other before finally giving up and merely giving and taking what we could.
I was in sensory overload as Zach's hands travelled underneath my shirt, the skin on skin contact driving me to the brink of insanity paired with the slow, sloppy kisses he was giving me.
We stayed like that until we came up gasping for the air we so desperately needed. He stepped to move away but I shimmed closer to him, not yet ready to let go. He chuckled low next to my ear, the warm breath that he exhaled against my ear making my brain go fuzzy for a little while.
When we could breathe again, I pecked him softly, threading my hands through his hair.
"Don't worry you have me Zach," I breathed, responding to his earlier statement, making him grin as I let my lips fall back on his impossibly soft ones for the umpteenth time today.
"You always have."