“I would do much worse than getting blood on myself for the woman I love.”
My breath catches in my chest as I turn, looking at him, a sly smirk spreading across his face.
“And just to make sure I’m clear, I mean I’d do a lot worse for you, Sketch.” Leaning in and kissing my nose.
It’s such a sweet gesture, it’s almost sickening.
My mouth hangs agape as he reaches over, wrapping his arms around me and pulling me back into his chest.
I can feel his breath on my ear as he speaks again. “You don’t have to say anything. I just wanted you to know.”
“I don’t want you to be upset.”
Feeling his chest vibrate as he laughs and tightens his grip around me, pulling me further into him. I can feel his breath on my ear as he whispers. “I’m not upset. Even if you say nothing, I know how you feel. I can feel it. I know it every time you come to me for help. I can see it in your eyes when you look at me. I can feel it in how your body reacts to me.” His fingers gently running up my stomach. “So, no, I won’t be upset. Take as much timeas you need; I won’t say it until you’re ready. I just realized and wanted you to know.”
I’m aware he means that although he just told me he loves me, he won’t say the specific words until I’m ready.
We both fall silent as my mind wanders.
“What you thinking about?” he whispers in my ear, bringing me back.
“You ever think 10 years ago that we’d be here?”
“What lying naked in a tub together?”
“Not that specific, but yeah.” I laugh again.
Mumbling to himself. “Maybe not quite 10 years ago.”
“What?”
“Not 10 years ago.”
“Then when?”
“Let’s not talk about this.”
“No,” I giggle, sitting up and looking behind me. “Are you saying you thought about it at all?”
“Fine… yes.” He lets out a small laugh. “I was helping the campus police during one of the graduations. You were loading your car. And I might have watched you for longer than I care to admit.”
“When was this?” trying to hide my grin.
“I don’t know, like 4 or 5 years ago.”
“But you said nothing, you just saw me?”
“What could I have said?”
I just shrug
“Exactly.”
“But you thought about us being together then?”
“Not exactly.” He sighs. “But I had a dream that night.”
Turning around, tilting my head as I look back at him.
