Under The Painted Sky (O/O CLOSED)

His words broke something in her. Tears glistened her eyes again and she buried her face in his neck, trembling as they escaped her eyes. How was it that those simple words cracked her so badly? She had no idea how much she longed to hear those words until she heard them–from Sterling's lips. The very lips that kissed her on the forehead. The very lips that continuously touched her head but never her mouth, the very place she wanted him to kiss but too afraid to. She wasn't ready for that step. She wasn't going to damn him with that, either.

"Thank you…" she whispered earnestly, her voice breaking. "Thank you, Sterling…"

“Can I—couch—“ she cut herself off, leaning into his touch like a starved, neglected animal. “No water. Don’t feel like it.”

He was acting like such a gentleman, being so soft, gentle and patient.

Like a boyfriend. The word squeezed her heart.

“I can walk,” she replied quietly, though she just wanted to stay pressed against him.

Eden gripped his shirt tightly, nodding slowly as he walked her over to the couch. The second they sat down, she curled up against him, her face buried in his chest.

Eden’s heartbeat quickened. “No—“ she shook her head furiously, trembling in his hold. “I can’t. I’m sorry.”

Eden leaned into his touch, a harsh breath escaping her lips. She pressed herself harder against him when he tightened his hold on her, feeling a little protected. Well, too protected. Eden let her head rest on his chest, too afraid of closing her eyes again.

“Talk to me,” she whispered, fingers gripping his shirt.

Eden sighed in content as he massaged her scalp, keeping her eyes open though they threatened to close again. "A lawyer, huh? Do you have a specific college in mind?"

“Well, good luck,” Eden murmured, the sense of protection she was feeling urging her to close her eyes. She listened, her eyes shutting. “Which type of a lawyer are you going for?”

Eden shrugged. “I don’t know,” she answered honestly. “I wanted to be a vet like my mother. Now I’m not so sure anymore.”

“I’m not cut out for it,” she answered quietly, a shiver escaping her because of his touches. “It was a silly dream. I’m better off inheriting my father’s business.”

As if desperate for his touch, Eden leaned into it the second he placed his hand on her cheek.

“I do,” Eden responded, not looking up at him. She kept her eyes closed, taking in the warmth on her cheek. “I’m just not… I hurt, Sterling. I don’t heal.”

Fireworks exploded in her stomach when he began to rub circles in her skin. God, why was he so good at making her feel better?

“I don’t know,” she admitted. “I tried to get better. I couldn’t, so I embraced who I became.”

Everywhere they touched, it sent sparks flying. Her skin burned, especially when he kissed the top of her head again. Gathering her courage, she lifted her head and pressed a soft kiss to his cheek. She settled back in his chest again.

“Sounds good,” she murmured. “Just… don’t let go.”

Eden sighed deeply, breathing him in. This wasn’t something… friends did. Kissing each other, snuggling against each other… what was Sterling thinking of these things? What if he was expecting more? What if he was only being like this because she was in a vulnerable position? What if she was expecting more?

“Ragnarok sounds good…” she murmured, her fingers gripping his shirt tightly.

Eden furrowed her eyebrows, looking up at him in confusion. He was glad it had been thundering? Why?

“Why…?” She asked quietly, blinking as if it would magically give her better vision.