Chapter thirty six

Crystal buried her head into Nick's chest. Not wanting to let go. Holding her close he kissed the top of her head, then tried to take a step back to look at her, but she refused to move. So he stayed in place, holding her like she wanted to be held. And she held on to him for dear life.
" Crystal? " he called out minutes later. He was hoping to try and do some digging on his own, he was good when it came to finding people who thought they couldn't be found so he had resolved to take it upon himself to find Hines.
" Mmh? "
A soft sound from the back of her throat. Her hands still wrapped securely around his waist . It felt so good to be that close to him. So good that she didn't feel like stepping away, like she'd gotten something she'd been wanting for so long and now that it was hers, she couldn't bring herself to take it out of her sight.
" I um... I have something I need to do, "
She shook her head. Breathing in the spicy scent of him. At the moment it didn't care what it was he wanted to do. She didn't want him to leave, ever.
She wanted him right there with her. For him to spend just one entire day next to her without all the unnecessary conflict and usual angry banter that they were accustomed to.
" It won't take long. Just a few hours, "
Somewhere deep deep inside her head she knew that what she was doing may be termed as clingy... literally, but she honestly didn't care.
And she was sure that whatever it was he had to do could wait. Nick inwardly smiled as he held her by her shoulders and gently tried to pull her back, but all she did in return was tighten her hold on him.
Perhaps the search could wait... he told himself as he run his hand through her hair. There would always be time to search for Hines. Because even if he went out today, there was no way he would be able to concentrate. But despite having made his mind up to stay, he still wanted to mess with her a bit. He'd never before had someone that he cared for so much. Apart from Matt and Brianna, but that was different.
Crystal was different.
Crystal was his.
" It's just a few hours, then I'll come back. "
" No. "
That made him smile, for real this time. Another thing that came so naturally when he was with her. He reached back and began to unwrap her hand from around his waist. And he almost laughed when she tried to fight back. And to say that just a while ago she wanted nothing to do with him.
" Why not? " he asked, keeping his voice even and relaxed. She shrugged, hanging her head with a pout on her face.
" You know why, "
" No I don't. "
He placed two fingers under her chin and angled her to face him. He could tell she was smiling but trying to hide it.
" Because, " she began before nibbling on her lower lip. He couldn't help but notice the small innocent action. She was so lovely, so utterly beautiful he almost couldn't bear it. These new feelings that were still developing inside him were so unknown to him, so different and new. But they were all directed at her. And since he had accepted that there was no pushing them away, he would accept them. And by doing so he was basically laying claim to her.
And no matter what happened from now onwards, he would make sure that she was permanently a part of his life. Hell!.. she WAS his life.
" I don't want you to go, " she added. Flicking her eyes across the floor as she waited for him to say something.
" Okay, then I'll stay. "
" Really! " Her face brightened up as she looked up at him. She was beaming from ear to ear. He gave her a curt nod and assured her that he would stay. And that smile she gave him.... well, if he hadn't been obsessed with her before then he sure was now.
" But we're not going to stay in the house, "
The smile turned to a frown. She didn't want to go anywhere. Having him with her erased most of her fears but she was still weary.
" Don't worry, I just want us to do something in the field outside, " he clarified. Not sure how she was going to react once she found out what it was he wanted them to do. But either way she would be doing it.
He then asked her to go have her breakfast, still recalling that she hadn't been eating well for the past few days. She didn't want to go at first, partly because she feared that he was tricking her and she wouldn't find him once she came back and partly because she just didn't want to go. If it were up-to her she would have dragged him downstairs with her or had someone bring the food upstairs instead.
But she decided to play it cool. Despite how much it bothered her.
" Or you can you can go get ready and meet me downstairs, " Nick suggested. She wasn't the only one that was finding it hard to walk away, the only difference was that he was better at not showing it.
She liked the idea of that. So she agreed. And before she left he pulled her to him with his hands wrapped around her waist, the action surprisingly playful. And instead of him leaning in, she wrapped her own arms around his neck and pulled him down for a kiss with strength he didn't know she possessed. The feel of her body next to him was a pleasure in itself. The kiss was intended to be short and gentle. But the moment her lips met his, he realised just how much he had missed her sweet kisses.
And he returned it with the hunger of a man who had been denied sustenance for too long. And by the time they pulled apart, they were both breathing heavily.
" You should go now, before I do way more than just kiss you. "
It sounded like a warning, but the idea of him pushing through with it didn't seem all that bad to her. Though she ended up leaving, knowing that there would be plenty of time for all that later. For now she was content with simply having him with her.