Emily leaned in, kissing him softly, her hair brushing across his bare chest as they lay in bed together. "I -" She shook her head, kissing him again, harder this time.
Aaron pulled back slightly. "You what?"
She shook her head again. "Nothing."
"You know I can tell when you're lying."
Emily sighed, flopping back against the mattress and staring up at the ceiling. "You suck."
Chuckling, he turned on his side, running one finger along the edge of the sheet that covered her body. "I see we've reached the childish phase of this conversation."
She rolled her eyes, but didn't meet his gaze. "I need to ask you something. And I need you to be honest."
"Okay." His answer was immediate and sincere.
"Will you..." Emily sighed, almost growling in frustration before starting again. "Are you going to freak out if I tell you that I love you?"
He frowned slightly, hand moving up to her face. "Is that what you think I'd do?"
Emily shook her head. "I -"
"I love you."
Her head snapped to the side as she stared at him. "What?"
"I love you, Emily."
She stared at him for a moment longer, and then she was on top of him, kissing him, whispering the words back to him over and over and over again.
He swallowed every one of them.