Smut, smut, smut...
You may feel warned ^^.

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Rainy days definitely were not his favorite. Rainy days like this one. His leg ached like hell, a little less when he took several pain killers, but his mood stayed poor anyway. He wanted to just stay in the bed, safely buried under covers, some book in hand and… Well, usually it wouldn't be any and in this. Just a bed, book, and some coffee maybe. But now there was something else that his mind, his heart, craved.

Belle...

It was an incredible thing, how those few days with her had changed him, transformed him from a solitary man to a man pathetically seeking company and physical contact. With only Belle of course. He wouldn't let anyone else touch him, hug him or so, except for his son maybe. But it was so nice when Belle had touched him, her warm little hands and those full lips, all constantly coming into some contact with him.

She was obviously a very caring person, but what surprised him, was that he found himself being quite caring too, when it came to Belle. An odd think in his age, to a man of his reputation, to be so fond for someone with whom you started to date six days ago.

Six days… Almost a week. And it seemed to him like they were together for an eternality... Well, he couldn't actually tell if they were together. He should ask her probably… well, some day, maybe. Not now. It wasn't important now, what official state they were. She was important to him, really important to him, and only that mattered.

Only if these were just a few dates.

And even if she didn't think about him as her significant other.

What he had now, it was already much more that he could have ever dreamed about. So no, he won't be worrying about it now, won't let his lack of self-esteem take over him. Especially now that he was sitting in his black Cadillac, in a front of the library, lost in these stupid thoughts, while his Belle was waiting for him inside.

Around hour earlier she called him, saying how she had missed him and asking if he would come to her place. It still amused him, how she could miss him after just a few hours of not seeing him… At that, his thoughts went back to a previous day. He was really shocked by her confession back then, at first the urge to kill the bastard almost overwhelming him, but then quickly being replaced by the urge, by the need, to protect his sweet Belle at all cost.

He held her in his arms then, lulling her to sleep, staying with her like that on the couch, not caring about the uncomfortable position. He didn't want to leave her alone, so he stayed, stroking her back and whispering soothing words into her ear, even when she was sleeping deeply. He still hoped it somehow had registered into her mind, dismissing all the demons and allowing her for a peaceful sleep.

At some point he fell asleep too, and his aching neck in the morning was absolutely worth it. What was meaningful, was Belle's smile when she woke up, tangled in his arms, a sweet kiss she planted on his lips before getting up, and her face full rested and without a trace of her earlier tears. She also wasn't so nervous this time at the fact of unintentionally sleeping at his house and it really pleased him.

Well, she won't be pleased if he would let her wait more. So he shut his thoughts closed, while getting out off the car and making his slow way to the door, the terribly cold air chilling his bones.

: : . . . : :

At the sound of doorbell she practically ran to the door, a huge smile plastered over her face. Since he dropped her at the library in the morning, she couldn't stop thinking about him and about the previous day. A strong thought appeared in her mind, causing her to make a decision and call Nick to come over to her place.

The feeling his touch left on her skin wasn't leaving her, and although she mostly felt a horrible fear yesterday, there was a pleasure before it too. A pleasure she really wanted to feel again. They were dating not even an entire week now, she was very well aware of that, but she truly wanted to bring their relationship on a next level, to feel his mouth elsewhere than her mouth and neck, and also to do to his body what she's been thinking about at the lake. The memory of his half naked, wet body then, and his half naked sleepy body yesterday, made her blush, and she had to compose herself before opening the door.

Well, she didn't quite succeed, a slightly red color still present on her face, as also the big smile illuminating it.

She opened the door and, not even giving Nick a chance to say a word, she threw herself at him, her hands spreading at his back, hugging him tightly, and her mouth taking his into a possessive kiss, purring internally as she tasted him.

When she backed away to take a breath, she noted his flushed cheeks and a shy smile spreading at his face. He looked so adorable… Not able to resist, she pulled him in for another kiss, less persistent this time, her hands ruffling his wet hair, causing her to giggle into his mouth when he made a grumbling sound at her action. Still giggling, she pulled away, patting his head for a mere joy of his face expression, something similar to a grumpy cat, although his lips twitched upwards a little, showing that in fact he didn't mind that much at all. Oh, what a sweet creature he was…

Still slightly laughing, she took a grip of his free hand, her fingers entwining with his, and she led him inside to the living room. When he settled himself on the couch, she poured them a glass of orange juice, her favorite one, and sank next to him, her head resting on his shoulder and his arm wrapping around hers automatically.

: : . . . : :

They sat and drank in silence, but when their glasses emptied and Belle refilled them, and the silence still continuing, it had changed into an unpleasant one. He could sense how she was boiling inside from urge to ask about his leg, just as he wanted badly to ask how she felt after yesterday… but no one said anything.

Sitting in an uncomfortable silence, only sounds audible being them sipping the juice and the rain's drops pouring against the window, it quickly became awkward. It felt just wrong. They shouldn't be awkward, not after so much time spent together. Well, maybe not that much, but still, it wasn't their first date right now.

With one big sip he finished his drink, putting the glass aside, and looked at Belle sheepishly, his hand finding its way to her cheek, stroking it slightly, his mouth opening to say something, anything, to maybe ask about something...

But just when her eyes locked with his, all words escape him, his mind blank at all sudden. And it suddenly seemed for him as if the time stopped for a second, only the two of them, only the sound of rain outside, everything else erased from existence. An amazing thing…

Staying in the moment, he leaned forward, just at the same time she did, their lips meeting into a sweet, almost chaste kiss. They needed no words now; their touch, the feelings reflecting in it, it was saying everything. Her hand, gently caressing his bad leg, was all saying what she was afraid to put into words, the concern for him, her affection towards him. Just as his arms, holding her tight against him, ensuring her that he would keep her safe, that she needn't to worry.

They broke apart after some time, resting their foreheads against each other for a brief moment, before he backed away a little to look at her beautiful, flushed face, his fingers unconsciously brushing a stray curl behind her ear, a small smile painted on his lips, a similar one on her own.

Without a word she stood up, her hand reaching for his own, pulling him up after her and then leading him, as quickly he became aware, to her bedroom.

: : . . . : :

Standing there he was not able to utter any sound, although an obvious question was burning in his mind, a twinge of fear tightening his heart when she locked the door and taking his hand again, she led him to the bed, coaxing him to sit with her at the edge. She took off her shoes and asked him to do the same.

She started to play with the hair at the nape of his neck, for a while seeming mesmerized by it, and making him shiver when her fingers brushed a sensitive piece of flesh there. Boldly she lowered her lips at the spot, his head titling to the side when her tongue ran through the skin, alternately with lips and gentle grazes of teeth. When the last happened, a muffled moan escaped him, a heat shooting through his body, hitting straight to his groin.

He could feel her grin against his skin, and she licked him once more before pulling away, a coy smile embellishing her face, accompanied by a lovely blush staining her cheeks, and her fingers still played with the ends of his hair.

Although still a little anxious, he grabbed her waist, pulling her closer, and captured her lips with his into a long, languid kiss. The longer they kissed, the more he felt aroused and embarrassed by it at the same time. Although their kiss was all innocent pecks at the beginning, the fact they were in her bedroom, sitting on her bed, made him, his imagination, create images of her body beneath his, writhing and crying with pleasure, and that in turn made him only more anxious.

His mind was quickly distracted however, his fear washing away, when the kiss became more urgent, her tongue boldly finding its way into his mouth, exploring every inch of it, her hands tugging at his hair, maybe only a little too forcefully, but he didn't mind that at all.

They kissed senselessly, until she lied back, pulling him with her, causing him to lost his balance and basically collapse on top of her, eliciting a gasp from her. He broke the kiss at once, pushing himself away from her, but her firm arms stopped him, forcing him to stay hovering over her and to brace a balance on his forearms. A new rush of fear shot through him, but he tried to keep a calm face, he even found courage to look her into eyes.

"I've been thinking all morning about this…" she started quietly, her cheeks reddening more, but her bravery not allowing her to break eye contact. "I don't want to have an unpleasant memory in my head anymore; I want to replace it with a new one, a pleasant one…" Her fingers reached for his cheek, gently stroking it, and a slight smile arose at her face. "And I don't want to wait anymore. I feel more confident now, after I've told you everything, and I've already been living in fear for over a year. I want to…" Her lips trembled a little, a blush increasing, and she swallowed hard, gathering courage for her next words. "I want to take another step... I want you Nick".

The silence dropped above them again, as his brain started to frantically processing what she had just said.

Could she really want that? Could he even do that? Wouldn't he accidently hurt her? And wasn't this too early, for her, for them? Was she sure what she was asking for…?

"Are you… Are you sure…?" he hated himself for his trembling voice and sweat forming on his forehead, but he could do nothing about it. And when he heard a quiet, although confident, yes from her, his arms almost gave up, threatening with collapsing on her again. A new wave of fear drenched him and his jaw fell open, his eyes wide and the layer of sweat on his forehead getting bigger.

He almost forgot to breathe. Actually no, he forgot to breathe. Only when she grabbed his shoulder and gently shook him, he came back to reality and let out a breath, his jaw shutting as it should be.

Belle eyed him warily, a reassuring smile stretching on her face, although her eyes were somehow sad. "It's okay if you don't want to…" He almost burst out laughing at that. How could he not want it? Of course he wanted it! He was just… a coward. Lame, old, and a coward. So the real question was, how could she want him? It was tempting to ask, but it would only upset her, he was sure, so he kept that in his head, instead leaning forward to place a small kiss on her cheek. "I do want to sweetheart, I just don't want to hurt you". It was true. He would never forgive himself if he hurt her.

She smiled at him, a big and bright smile, while her hand reached to his face, playing with strains of hair hanging there. "You would never hurt me, Nick. Please, I do want that".

Damn, and how could he deny her? Could he even? No, of course not. Not that actually he even wanted to. Well, he could do this, give her what she was asking for... He just had to be careful, that's all... Be mindful of every little signal from her, not letting himself to be distracted by his own need like it happened yesterday. He couldn't repeat that mistake at any cost.

One more time he kissed her cheek reverently, but then looked into her eyes with all the seriousness. "I will do whatever you wish, sweetheart, but if something is wrong, then you have to tell me and I will immediately stop, I promise".

"I know" She gave him a reassuring smile, although she herself wasn't quite calm, and she reached for him to put him into another kiss.

His hands started to idly play with the edge of her blouse, while he nibbled at her bottom lip and then licked it, her lips parting at that. He didn't deepen the kiss however, instead his mouth moving to her neck, bestowing it with open mouthed kisses and gentle sucking at the skin, followed by soothing laps of his tongue, and her head fell back, small noises of pleasure escaping her.

She felt him gently tugging at her blouse and she raised herself a little, allowing him to take off the material through her head.

She was only in her bra now and it made her anxious, memories coming back to her, as well as the Gaston's hurtful words about her body, especially considering her small bosom. Nick's mouth pressing against hers averted her concerns for a while, until his finger brushed the outsides of her breasts, moving to her back, deftly unclasping the bra. When it was open and ready to be slid off her arms, he broke the kiss, looking at her attentively, seeking her consent.

Although her mind was screaming, washing her body with the uneasiness, she nodded and let him to take the garment off of her, leaving her upper body bare before him.

She felt so very nervous and embarrassed, the sudden need to cover herself so big that it was almost overwhelming and the fear still haunting her mind. She knew it won't be easy, that the fear won't leave just like that, as if by the touch of magic wand, but she still hoped she would be able to do it, to defeat this apprehension and just enjoy with Nick's caress…

: : . . . : :

She said she wanted this, but her body wasn't ready. He could feel how it tensed now, could see how she tried to cover herself and how she was slightly shaking. If he was going to do it, if he was going to give her pleasure, she had to relax. Assuming that he would be able to give her this pleasure in the first place. He was never good at that… And the fact that that bastard calling himself her 'boyfriend' made her fragile and scared wasn't helping. What if he would hurt her instead of making her feel pleasure? What if… He shook his head. It was not a time for his self-doubting thoughts. He needed to focus on Belle, on banishing her fear, on replacing her bad memory with a good one.

Gently he coaxed her to lie on her stomach and placed a reassuring kiss on the back of her neck. Slowly his hands moved to her shoulders, kneading them carefully for a few moments, then still so very slowly sliding down her sides and coming back up.

After some time he could finally feel her body starting to relax, she even let out a content sigh. Yes, a good sign. Bending down he started to trail kisses in places where his hands were a seconds ago, gently sucking at her silky skin and then licking the place. The feeling of her bare flesh made him harden and he wanted to rub against her to get some friction, but stifled the urge. His needs were not important now, but Belle's were, he reminded himself, as he shifted his position so she wouldn't feel his bulge.

For a few more minutes he continued to massage and kiss her back, until her muscles were fully loose. Only then he rolled at his side, coaxing her to lie at her side too. When she did, her hands automatically went to cover herself, but he gently grabbed her wrists, preventing her from that. Before she could protest, he bent down and kissed her sweet lips tenderly, until the defiance her hands were giving ceased.

He released her wrists then, his hands moving up her arms to her face, gently stroking her cheeks. He could feel her fingers burring themselves in his hair, scratching at his scalp, as her mouth slid to his neck, placing an affectionate kiss there, and he felt himself getting even harder. He tried to shift, to pull back a little, but her hands were firmly holding him in place, so he finally gave up.

Their lips found each other in another, a sweet and lingering kiss, and it was then when her leg shifted and his erection suddenly was pressing against her thigh. For a second they both froze. He tried to back away again, but her hands were still not allowing him.

Their kiss broke and they eyes locked with each other.

"Could I… see you?"

"What?"

Was she really asking about that? Did she really want to see him? He wouldn't refuse her anything of course, but the thought made him nervous. He suddenly remembered his ex wife and her malicious comments about his body and his lack of abilities. She was always mocking him, laughed straight into his face even… Always saying how she was disappointed in him… Always making clear how his body, especially one part of it, was repulsing to her… And this was so many years ago… Now, when he was older, the impression must be only worse… Belle wasn't Milah of course, but the image of his body as ugly and repulsing was so deeply rooted in his head, that he couldn't imagine that Belle could have different feelings about it. Of course, she saw him shirtless at the lake and her reaction was… well, good… but that's not the same…

"Nick? Are you okay?" her concerned voice and delicate touch of her dainty fingers against his cheek, brought him back to the reality. She was looking at him with her big, blue eyes, so pure and honest, that he simply couldn't say 'no'. She trusted him. Couldn't he try to trust her? And maybe she wouldn't be repulsed after all…

With a small, nervous smile he nodded and rolled over, lying on his back.

She hovered over him, kissing him hotly at the mouth, and for a moment his doubts vanished. They quickly came back though, when her fingers started to unbutton his shirt and her lips moved to his neck. Her fingers were quite clever, although shaking slightly too, but she managed to dispose him of the shirt quickly, her mouth moving to his bare chest, kissing it just a little bit uncertainly.

He just lied there, hands pressed into the mattress, trying to not move and to be quiet. And to breathe. But when her tongue licked at his right nipple and then her teeth scratched at it slightly, he wasn't able to suppress a groan and a buck of his hips. He looked at her with a widened eyes, but only noted her mischievous smile, while she moved to the second nipple, licking and gently scratching it too. She seemed to be enjoying herself, so he lied back again and tried to concentrate at the feeling, not at the unpleasant thoughts about Milah, which were still trying to break into his mind.

Her lips moved lower, tongue ghosting over his belly, and he trembled. She didn't stop there, her hands finding his belt, and he tensed. He was painfully hard now and she had to see that. He swallowed hard, his heart racing from nervousness, when she unbuckled his belt, pulled down the zipper and tugged at his pants, trying to pull them down. Swallowing again, and squeezing the sheets harder, he raised his hips a little to help her with the task.

Together with trousers, she pulled down his boxers, exposing him completely at her view, and his heart started to beat so fast, that he was surprised that he didn't pass out.

When she didn't make a sound for a longer while, he risked a look down.

He saw her sitting next to him, gazing at his erected member with a curious look. She had to sense him staring, because she averted her gaze to look him in the eyes. Her hands were still covering her breasts, and he noted that her cheeks, as well as her neck, were a deep crimson now, and her smile trembled a little.

"I… um… I've never seen… a male's body…" she uttered, reddening even more at her awkward wording, if that was even possible, and shifting slightly.

He tried to smile reassuringly, although in fact he himself needed reassurance right now. "So… What do you think?" his voice was thick, making him almost incomprehensible, and he was angry at himself for asking her a stupid question as if he was asking what she thought of the new flat screen in his living room. But her opinion, an honest opinion, was really important for him.

She shifted her gaze at his member again, looking at it for a second with an intent look, unintentionally making him feel even more embarrassed.

"It's… big" she finally said, sounding somehow pensive, and he couldn't help but chuckle at that. He certainly never thought about himself as a big man, but on the other hand, Belle had no comparison. But well, he won't be arguing with her about that, and besides, her words had nicely tickled his ego…

His chuckle suddenly changed into a gasp, making him almost cough, when he felt her fingers at him. Startled he looked down again, seeing how Belle with an almost childish interest was carefully sliding her fingertips down and up his length, giggling when it twitched under her touch. She looked at him then, her eyes shining from her smile. "Is it always doing that?" His mouth opened to respond, but no sound came. She didn't wait for an answer however, and looked back at his member, taking it now fully in her hand.

And he was convinced he was going to die.

He could do nothing more than just collapse back against the pillows with closed eyes, his hands grasping the sheets with all the force, hips pressing into mattress to not pump into her hand, and his cock throbbing terribly, being as hard as it has ever been before.

She was stroking him hesitantly at first, her touch slight and gentle, but oh how very pleasurable, when he suddenly felt her thumb at his head, spreading a pre-cum around it, and then tentatively she strengthen her grip, her pace fastening, and he couldn't stop but bucking his hips, pumping into her hand, low groans coming from his throat.

The feeling was so incredible, the fact that he hadn't been touched for many, many years and that he was now by his sweet Belle, only adding to that.

Soon enough, much too soon, his body started to tremble, his hips pumping into her hand vigorously and a wave of heat shot through him suddenly, as he spilled himself into her palm, her name loud on his mouth. His body collapsed against the pillows again, all his limbs limp now, and her hand continued to slowly stroke him, until he stopped to shake.

He didn't feel so good since… well, in fact he had never felt so good, neither Milah nor Cora were interested in his needs. And now he felt like he was in heaven…

Vaguely he registered that Belle's body pressed against him, taking a tight hold of him, her lips moving against his throat, and he kissed her at the forehead, only place he could reach right now without moving.

Retrieving a feeling in arms, he encircled her with them, hugging her with all the fondness, all the love, he felt. Slowly, his breath slowed down, as also his senses came back to him, and he only now became aware that in the position they were now, he could feel her sweet wetness, her thin panties not a good cover from it. He so much wanted to touch her there right in this moment, that he had to hugged her more so to ceased the urge. They had time for that, and he wouldn't risk startling her in any case.

His one hand moved from her back to her chin, lifting it up so he could kiss her, his tongue pushing into her mouth, entwining with hers, gently rubbing against it. Carefully he rolled them, so that he was above her once more and his mouth left hers, only to find their way down her neck, staying there for a while.

Moving lower, he placed a tentative kiss on the outside of her breast, and when she did not move to stop him, his mouth trailed its way to the centre, finally closing around her already taut nipple. He licked and kissed and scratched, his hand in meanwhile kneading her second breast, fingers pinching the nipple gently, and his caress lasted like that until she started to writhe and her quiet moans became louder. His mouth slid down then, stopping at her abdomen, sucking gently at the sensitive skin there for a moment, before his hands reached for her skirt, carefully sliding it down.

When the garment landed at the floor, his mouth immediately came back to her upper body, trailing wet kisses down her throat, through the hollow between her breasts and heading to the stomach, his hands gently wandering along her sides, a small moans still eliciting from her.

He slightly nibbled at her belly and then pulled back a little, looking at her small blue cotton panties and her legs firmly closed. Under his gaze, her body became stiff again, her moans ceasing and eyes regarding him warily.

She trusted him, she truly did, but her protesting subconsciousness was just too strong.

Nick didn't press. He sent her a reassuring smile, as he moved to the legs of bed, his hand grabbing her ankle gently and kissing it, bestowing it with kisses all the way up to her knee and then doing the same with a second leg. But when then he reached the knee, he didn't stop there, making his way to the outside of her thigh, sucking gently and licking. Carefully he placed his hands on her both thighs, trying to spread her legs, but she didn't let him.

With his hands staying at place, not making any further movement, he looked at her, her wary eyes still observing his every move, and with a smile he placed an open-mouthed kiss at her belly.

"Will you open your legs, sweetheart? I won't hurt you, I promise…" he said as gently and softly as he could, and waited for her decision. It was up to her if this would go any further or not, despite how desperately he wanted to feel her wetness under his fingers, the decision being only hers.

: : . . . : :

She knew he wouldn't hurt her and really she wanted him to touch her, she needed him to touch her. Yet, the paralyzing feeling wasn't leaving her, terrifying memories still clear in her mind, still clear for her body.

She looked him in the eyes, those beautiful brown irises, so wary and uncertain now. Her look had to be similar, she thought vaguely. But what else she noted in Nick's eyes, was huge affection, a sensitiveness she knew no one else would have chance to receive from him, something that was only meant for her. She was as vulnerable right now as he was, both with their own fears and doubts. But he allowed her touch, despite how very nervous about it he was, and she couldn't deny him now. Didn't want to deny him, didn't want to stop now. And she knew he would be gentle with her, that compared to selfish Gaston, for Nick the only thing that mattered was her, her feelings and needs.

He wouldn't hurt her… and she had to trust him.

She already trusted him, her mind scolded.

: : . . . : :

After a moment she slowly nodded and slightly separated her legs, allowing him to spread them wider. He thanked her by kissing her belly once more, and very carefully he took off her panties, feeling her body slightly trembling and hearing her sharp intakes of breath. He couldn't resist however of a small peek at her womanhood, the sight taking his breath away.

The urge to touch her right away was very big, but he stifled it, instead lying at his side even to her and taking her lips in a tender kiss, his thumb stroking her cheek gently. When she made a content sound, he slowly placed his second hand on her thigh, sliding it tentatively up, as he ultimately reached her private area and, finally, gently pressed his palm against her curls.

Her body stiffened again at the contact, legs closing automatically, trapping his hand between. He made no move, his mouth still tenderly kissing hers, until he finally felt her body began to relax and legs opening again.

He broke the kiss to looked deeply into her amazingly blue eyes, constantly astounding him. Could anyone have more beautiful eyes than his Belle? He smiled to himself. Belle was a pure perfection to him, even if she didn't believe how magnificent she was…

She smiled at him shyly and he bent down to capture her lips once more, sucking at her bottom lip for a moment, before moving to her neck, his hand placed at her sex finally starting to move.

When his long fingers gently spread her wet folds, her hips bucked up on their own and a whimper escaped her mouth. She still felt slightly anxious, but his patience and gentleness were calming her a bit, as was the pleasurable warmth she felt.

An unknown wave of pleasure shot through her when his finger slightly touched a bundle of nerves, and all her thoughts disappeared into nothingness, her head completely blank, only amazing sensations reaching her.

His fingers played with her opening, thumb stroking her clit, his mouth leaving open kisses on her neck and collarbones, and when he slid one finger inside her, then added another one, the speed and pressure of his thumb increasing, and the fingers inside her curving in a way that they were stroking against some very sensitive place, the pleasure became just unbearable.

Her stomach clenched, an unknown feeling raising inside her, her heart pounding rapidly in her chest, and she heard his hoarse voice whispering into her ear "Let go sweetheart". And she let go.

Tightness in her stomach released, as the waves of overwhelming pleasure shot through her, causing her eyes slam shut and hips bucking up and down into uncontrolled spasms.

It was a feeling she had never felt before, a feeling of a pure ecstasy…

He continued to stroke her gently, until she came down from her high, only then withdrawing his hand and taking her limp body into tight embrace, whispering into her ear how beautiful and amazing she was, how grateful he was that she allowed him to touch her, how he would never cause her any pain, how always he would cherish her. And she knew that all that was the truth.

: : . . . : :

They laid in each other arms, her hand draped loosely around his stomach, making idle circles on it, and her head buried into his chest, listening his slow heartbeat, his chest raising and falling in a steady rhythm, a little snoring noises coming to her ears, all indicating that he fell asleep.

She smiled to herself and placed an affectionate kiss over his heart, snuggling to him even more. She felt completely at peace now, being in his embrace, his arms encircling her protectively, their legs entwined with each other. The feeling of his lips on her, his fingers, his naked skin, was still very vivid and it erased the fear, replacing it with a need to experience this again, to even experience more.

Warmth spread across her insides when he made a little grunting sound, shifting slightly so that they were yet closer now, a warm body against a warm body.

And a single tear escaped her.

It was absolutely perfect. This felt absolutely perfect. Being close to him, intimate even, and laying in his arms, both of them completely naked, but no shame when they were nestling against each other. And she would wake up like that tomorrow, still cuddled to him, still being in his warm embrace, and the thought made her smile even more.

She wanted to be like that every day; to not sleep alone anymore, but with him, with her Nick, hidden in his arms, which, she was sure, would always protect her and never hurt her.

Her eyes, suddenly heavy, closed on their own, her mind peacefully drifting into deep slumber, her body comfortable beside a body of her beloved man.

Yes. It was simply perfect…