Chapter 20 – Whatever it is
He woke up with something warm pressed against his side and he smiled. She was still sleeping. He studied her peaceful face, the face he liked to look at more than any other, the face that frustrated him more than any other.
He kissed her on the end of the nose then moved to her neck to wake her. When she started to stir he pulled back to gauge her reaction.
A wave of relief flooded over him when she smiled sleepily up at him, her big blue eyes locking onto his.
He couldn't think of anything to say. He didn't want to spook her, or sound like he didn't care. So he reminded her he had work in a few hours.
She closed her eyes and rested her head against his chest again, which he definitely liked. But the movement made him acutely aware that they were both very naked and pressed up against each other.
'We're OK? This is OK? Right?' He asked while stroking her hair behind her ear.
She took a deep breath and replied quietly 'I'm OK if your OK'
He smiles, how could she think he wasn't OK? He was great! He was lying in bed with a naked beautiful woman who he got on great with. He didn't get her sometimes.
He kissed the top of her head and stoked her back 'Why wouldn't I be? I wanna stay here all day' He growled the last part and she laughed into his chest.
She still wouldn't look him in the eye and it worried him. She looked self conscious as she looked at her hand and told him it would be fine if they had got it out of their system and wanted to go back to normal.
He moved his head back to get a better look, he wasn't completely sure why she looked so vulnerable. It made him feel like he should protect her and tell the truth. So he told her 'Darlin I aint any where near to getting this outta my system'
She met his eyes and smiled, the smile causing butterflies in his stomach. He smiled back and kissed her.
A while later they made breakfast together. She had his shirt on and nothing else and he found it irresistible. He couldn't keep his hands off her. They play fought and flirted while they cooked, and the conversation flowed while they ate. It was like before, when they were best friends. But better.
He had to tear himself away after lunch for work, which was really hard for him. He managed to drag her into the shower before he left. When he kissed her goodbye he had to physically force himself out of the house and to work. The day dragged and he couldn't wait to get home.
He knew dinner would be on the table when he got in. He really couldn't think or worry about what this all meant between them. He just wanted to enjoy it. He couldn't remember even having this with anyone. The fun along with the trust and friendship. As well as knowing she wouldn't bolt, he felt good about this, whatever it was.
*~*~*~*~*
When she woke up with James she felt content. Then a wave of worry hit her. What happens if he regrets this? What if the others come back? Should she stay asleep so he could sneak out if he wanted?
The wake up she got from him was pleasant, and he obviously wanted whatever they had to continue. Which she agreed with. She was fed up with existing, she wanted to live a little. This thing with James would end up bad, probably with a broken heart or worse for her but she couldn't make her self think about it too much.
They made breakfast together, half dressed. They flirted and joked. She felt like a teenager and it felt good. When they were together like this she could forget, and she genuinely had fun. So she decided to accept the impending heartbreak, and have some fun, for as long as he wanted to.
She really hadn't wanted him to go to work, but when he left she had time to think a little and make that decision. She tidied the house, gardened and showered.
She was just getting ready to prepare some dinner when Miles and Jin let themselves in.
She turned to face them, ready for the barrage of jokes and innuendo after Miles had seen them kiss.
She got nothing.
It made her paranoid. There were no jokes, no innuendo, no personal questions. Miles just wanted to know what she was cooking for them. Well and he told her to hurry up as he was hungry.
She carried on cooking, with one eye on Miles, preparing herself for it. They even spoke about the party and what time they got in – still nothing.
She was so relived when James got in, ans was surprised at the look of disappointment on his face when he saw their guests. He strolled slowly over to the dining area looking from Miles to Jin which she thought made him look like a lion.
He passed them both with warning glances. When past them he carried on to her, looking as shy as he ever could as he greeted her with a kiss before sitting down at the table.
She served the meals, a little worried about the tension in the air.
Miles broke the silence 'So LaFleur, You have fun last night?'
James exploded 'You ass! I told you not to wind her up!'
Juliet gaped, did he want to protect her or was he ashamed?
'I was just asking about the party, If I wanted to know about that Id ask how Juliet was last night'
James looked ready to dive across the table until Jin started laughing. He had tears in his eyes, it made her laugh too. It was contagious. He then pointed from her and James and said something in Korean still in fits of laughter.
It made them all crack up. She laughed until she had tears in her eyes and her sides hurt.
She put her hands on the table to steady herself and when they were calming down James put his hand over hers and caught her eye. She smiled back at him, which was near impossible not to do when he turned the full force of his dimples on you.
She hadn't felt like this in a long time. He was her best friend and her lover. She had no idea how long this would last but it felt good, whatever it was.
