Chapter 27

I shyly sneak a glance at Keith, whilst he's driving , a blush warms my cheeks at thoughts of what happened at the restaurant, his words, the way he was so gentle with me until now and of course, the awesome cake I can't wait to devour, that's on my lap.

Not being able to control myself, I turn my head to really take him in. So many words ring in mind as I stare at him.

Handsome, hot, dreamy......I could go on.

"Stop, that's distracting." He says.

"But I didn't even do anything." I try suppress a grin.

" You're staring."

" Sorry." I quickly look away, playfully drumming my fingers on the cake box.

A hand covers mine. I smile at this.

Arriving home, he gets out and comes over to my side, helping me out of the car.

Right when I'm out of the car, his jacket is placed over my shoulders, preventing the cold from making me shiver any further, he takes the box from me, his arm coming around me and pulling me close to him.

I welcome the warmth and let him lead me to the house. Once inside, I take a step back, taking his jacket off me.

" Thank you for tonight."

"Did you have a good time?" He knows the answer to that.

" Yes." I smile at him.

"Come on." He takes my hand in his." We've got dessert." He tells me, leading me to the kitchen I suppose.

Entering into the kitchen, I take a seat on the bar stool and watch Keith move around.

"Hot chocolate?"

"Hot chocolate."

He nods , getting right back into it.

Something about watching him in the kitchen gives my tummy butterflies. It's like he belongs here, with me, us like this on a late night.

I'm dreaming again.

The smell of hot chocolate right under my nose, shakes off my thoughts and I'm back in the present.

Keith then joins me on my side, taking lead and cutting a very big slice for both of us to share. Placing the left over cake in the fridge, he comes back, only to find me already eating.

"Wow, so much for waiting for me. " He mutters joking before settling down next to me. Joining me.

We eat in comfortable silence, stealing glances every now and then.

We are so close to each other that our knees brush against each other.

"Mmm." I moan out, eyes closed and enjoying this delicious cake.

My eyes snap open when a hand rests on my thigh. I notice Keith no more eating but just watching me. It burns where he is touching and tingles form on my thigh.

All I can do is watch his face as he removes his hand from my thigh, bringing it to my head where his fingers comb through my hair, instantly relaxing me. There's just something about being touched on my hair that relaxes me, has me sighing in contentment.

His eyes darken when I bite my bottom lip, wanting nothing more then for him to kiss me.

He leans forward and only minimum space remains, I'm pretty sure my eyes are pleading for him to kiss me. I can't think of anything but this.

This moment seems so right, it's surreal.

Instead of granting my wish, his forehead rests against my own, him breathing out. " We should finish this."

I blush in embarrassment when I misinterpret his words, thinking that he's talking about this moment, only for him to lean back and continue on eating like nothing happened.

It takes a minute or so to get back to the present and I also join him too.

" I opened the envelope." I perk up at this.

"Envelope?" I ask confused.

"The one aunt Jill gave me, it's an invitation to their wedding anniversary."

" How long has she been married to your uncle?"

" 25 years." Whoa that's a long time.

" That's amazing. You should go." I encourage, smiling at him.

" You'll come with me." My smile wavers.

" Uh Keith I - ."

" I need you there." What is one suppose to say to that, adding his gorgeous eyes staring at me.

"Okay. " I breathe out.

A smile breaks out on his face.

" Thank you." He says, taking my hand and planting kisses on it.

I giggle at his actions. I'm then pulled off my stool and right into his arms where I'm standing in between his legs. His hands cradle my face, tilting it up so he's looking down at me.

" We won't get to see much of each other tomorrow, so I want to take this moment into memory."

My heart thumps so loud and hard against my chest, when he leans close and his lips touch the corner of my lips. My eyes close and I melt into him, my fingers clutching his shirt.

He leans back and smirks at me. I shyly hide my face in his shirt, blushing and feeling embarrassed. I don't want him to see how much I loved what just happened.

" Let's get you to sleep. " He says, and I take a step back, giving him space to move.

I wait for him while he takes our unfinished cake in the fridge, wash everything else and then later, takes my hand in his, leading me upstairs.

" Will you be gone for the whole day tomorrow?" I ask.

" Looks like it." I nod, though he may not see me.

Finally reaching my room, I turn from the door and look at him, not being able to stop smiling. " Well I should go."

" Yeah." He's smiling at me, his hand on the doorknob and him caging me between him and the door.

" Thank you for tonight."

He doesn't say anything, but just looking at me.

" Keith? "

" Mhm?" He's not even paying attention, just staring at me.

"The door?" I remind him

" Oh shoot." He mutters, letting go of the doorknob and taking a step back.

" Goodnight." I say, opening the door.

" Goodnight." I quickly get in and close the door, resting my back against the door.

Oh my gosh. What a night.

Now this is the best night I've experienced yet, with Keith.

I feel like my heart will burst out of my chest, I can't even stop smiling and everything just seems right in the world right now.

I feel like I'm floating on the air while I move around the room, getting ready for bed. To me, tonight is like a fairytale, I'm happy, my heart is happy and Keith is already crowding my mind.

Finally getting into bed, sleep comes easy and exhaustion weighs heavily on my body. I believe my dreams will be worth it tonight.

Finally, I can say I'm floating in a bubble of giddiness.

                             ******

He wasn't lying when he said I might not see much of him today, that he might be gone for the whole day. I miss him already. Crazy , I know.

But it is what it is.

Anyway, the fact that he's gone hasn't taken away my little bubble, the day looks bright, clear and blue, I'm all content and satisfied in the sunroom with my romantic novel in hand.

It's my second day here in Aspen, and though I should be out there maybe shopping or looking around, today I just feel like taking it easy and enjoy the peace and quiet.

Hands cover my eyes and I frown.

" Hello beautiful." My cheeks immediately warm in knowing who's behind me.

He removes his hands from my eyes and comes into view, standing just beside me .

"Hey, when did you get back?" I ask, moving my legs to create space for him to sit.

"Not long, decided to take the rest of the day off." He tells me, sitting down and laying my legs on top of his.

" Keith, you can't just cancel, what if - ."

" Yes I can, I find nothing wrong with me wanting to spend the day with you. " I try suppress a grin.

"Smile cause I know you want to."

"Hey don't get cocky, I have a lot in my mind, something far more entertaining."

"Oh really." He starts leaning forward until our faces are close.

" Um uh - Would you like to take a walk?" I quickly push him back and get off the couch, earning a low chuckle from him.

"Sure." He says, rising to his full height and I'm reminded of the height difference between us.

Good thing I still had my shoes on.

" Wait here." He tells me, rushing out of there and leaving me to place my book on the couch.



Soon he comes back.

" Here." He places sunglasses on my eyes, wearing his own pair right after." Okay we can go now." He takes my hand, leading me out of the sunroom and out of the door, leading us into the large backyard with a forest a few yards apart.

With no questions asked, he leads us down the stone path and past the pool and down to the yard.

I look up at him with an appreciative smile.

"Thank you for bringing me here, it's beautiful." I tell him as we've walked quite a distance now.

" No thank you for coming along, I was worried for a second."

" What why?"

" Well I thought you'd say no."

" Oh." I look down at my feet.

"Come on, there's something I want to show you." He says, leading us a bit further into the trees, where a beautiful lake is at a near distance.

Under the sunlight, the water looks so beautiful, the air cool and the mountains so big.

Nature is sure having it's way here, it is more dominant and inviting for all nature lovers.

" This is so beautiful and breathtaking. " I say, admiring the view.

" Yes it is." He agrees, sounding far taken then I am.

I turn to him, only to see him looking at me. No glasses on.

Why is he looking at me like that?

" Keith are you okay?" I ask.

" I'm more then fine." He tells me, taking a step closer.

" W-what are you doing?" I ask, taking a step back nervously.

"Something I should have done a long time ago." He slowly takes off my glasses, throwing both on the grass.

I gasp when I hear a snap. I glance on the ground to see that he'd just stepped on the sunglasses. He broke them.

I look at him with my jaw dropped to the floor.

He takes another step close, his toes touching mine. "So beautiful." He says, his eyes sparkling like they've discovered something new.

I can't look away, this is like a repeat of yesterday and I don't know what to expect today. I bite down on my bottom lip, staring into his eyes.

His thumb pulls it out.

He leans much closer,closing the distance and my eyes automatically close. His hands cradle my face, My breath hitches when his nose rubs against my own and his lips brush against mine, earning a whimper from me when he continues on rubbing his nose against mine.

What is he doing to me?

" Keith." I whisper.

That's all it takes for his lips to actually meet mine in a long awaited kiss. My second kiss. Right after the wedding one.

Smooth, sweet and tender, emotion evident in it though I can't point it out exactly, I can't really think straight, all I can do is feel and let loose.

It feels so right.

I'm kissing my husband.

I'm kissing my friend.

Oh no.

My eyes pop open and I lean back, breaking the kiss, earning a groan of protest from him." We can't. " I breathe out against his forehead.

" What do you mean you can't?"

" W-we can't." I say more clearly, stepping back and out of his hold, looking at him with wide eyes.

"We can't, we are friends and friends don't do this." I say, quickly turning around and walking away.

" Oh fuck being friends!" He growls from behind me.

I'm spun around and pulled into his chest, where his lips slam against mine and stupid me melts into a puddle.

Damn it.

His hands squeeze my hips and I moan into the kiss, my own reach into his hair, grabbing it where he groans and deepens the kiss.

We finally come up for air, foreheads against each other, chest heaving up and down. I can't open my eyes, I don't want to see something totally different then what was just a few minutes ago, even when he leans back, I still don't open my eyes.

" That was amazing." He breathes out.

I don't say anything.

" Angel, please open your eyes."

I shake my head no.

" Please." He pleads.

" I don't want to see the regret in your eyes when I do."

" No regrets, promise."

Releasing a breath, my eyes flutter open and I can't even describe the feelings my heart is experiencing at seeing no regret in his eyes, only softness and tenderness.

I wrap my arms around his waist, resting my head on his chest, feeling relieved and happy. His own enclose around me adding with a kiss on the top of my head.

" You really don't regret this?" I ask, looking up at him, wanting to be sure.

" 100% no regrets." He nods.

"Okay good, cause if you did, I would punch your face." I threaten, trying to not smile but I can't.

" Good thing I don't then." He tells me and this time I do smile.

" Infact , it makes me want to do it again." Before I can say anything, his lips are on mine and again I fall into the kiss.

A giggle leaves me when he picks me up, my legs wrapping around his waist and arms on his shoulders." Keith!" I say in between kisses.

He smirks, leaning back.

He starts walking with me back to the house." What about the glasses?" I say, glancing over his shoulder.

" We could always buy new ones." He says, peppering kisses on my neck.

I giggle when he hits a certain spot.

" Keith put me down" I giggle.

" nope."

" Keith."

"No."

"Well then I won't ever kiss you again." I don't know what pushed me to say this, nor where the confidence came from but it makes him to listen, where he sighs and does put me down on my feet.

"Thank you, well race you back to the house! " I quickly say, dashing towards the house and lucky for me, that I had a good start.

"Hey! Wait for me!"

My eyes widen when at a near distance, Joe is coming out of the sliding door, about to close it.

" Don't close it, open please!" I call out to Joe, who's head snaps in my direction.

Thank God he actually opens the door and I dash in, throwing a thank you along the way. I stop at the living room, trying to calm myself down, hands on my knees.

Gosh when was the last time I ran like this?

I yelp out of shock when an arm comes around me." Gotcha," He breathes close to my ear.

I shriek when he pushes both of us on the couch, him landing on me. Both his arms are on either side of my head as we look at each other, breaths laboured and chest moving up and down.

"You know, I should bend you over my lap for what you just did." His thumb makes circling movements on my cheek.

" Keith, don't say things like that." I say, hiding my face behind my hands in embarrassment.

He pushes my hands away." Don't hide your beautiful face from me."

"Gosh I want to kiss you again and again and again." He leans in every time he says again.

A cough breaks the spell and I push at his chest, taking a pillow and hiding my face.

" Sorry to intrude sir but it is ready. "Mrs Davies says.

Oh my gosh Mrs Davies just saw that. Okay I need to dig a hole and hide, for the rest of my days.

"Thank you Mrs Davies."

" She's gone." He says after a minute, pulling the pillow off me.

" I feel so embarrassed, did she see anything?" I ask, biting at my fingernail nervously.

" Well she witnessed her boss in a private moment."

"Don't say it like that." I swat at his arm.

"Like what?" He asks, his eyes holding humour.

" Like we were doing something far more, "I quickly rise to my feet, fixing myself.

" Well do you want to?" He suggests, wiggling his eyebrows.

" Keith!" I gasp in shock, eyes wide.

" I'm kidding." He says rising up to stand in front of me.

"You're so cute." He chuckles, caressing my cheek.

" So um , what was Mrs Davies talking about?"

"Turn around." He gestures behind my head.

Frowning I do, only for my eyes to widen and my heart to stop, at seeing our wedding pictures and some of my own,that I've never seen on the wall. Way above the family pictures.

An arm wraps around my waist, and I'm pulled against his chest.

"Now it's complete." He says close to my ear.

"What is?" I ask, not tearing my eyes away from the wall.

"Family. My family." He kisses my neck.