Brody

There was no way I was going to let her go. We have been through a lot in the small amount of time we've spent together, and I don't plan to throw it away. I can feel it in my gut that there's something between us, every time I'm with her my heart skips a beat, my blood rushes straight to my face when she doesn't realise how her laugh can affect me, how my stomach knots at the thought of her leaving me, hating me . . . I'm just happy to share whatever I can with her, whatever it is she gives me.

She was happy to see me, it was in her eyes. The thought of her thinking of me as she travelled the few miles pleases me, and with what I've seen from her so far, there's time for me to work on building a proper foundation of feelings. Now that we're officially companions, I have that chance with her.

Chloe; strong, beautiful, funny, sassy Chloe.

She's marching ahead, and we did manage to find a woodland area—in fact, the small town is covered in the greenery. If anything, people would think the nature here was first, and then the buildings grew out of it. There's plenty of cover, enough places to scrounge for resources, and there's somewhere to sleep.

Trailing my gaze to her legs and staking the way her hips move whenever she needs to hop over something . . . when Chloe turns to face me over her shoulder, a boyish smile pulls at my lips. Her cheeks collect a faint pink hue, and it sends a rush through my system even though my cheeks probably match hers.

Reaching her side, I lean in and whisper inches from her ear, "What's the plan, Chloe?"

The small shiver she tries to cover up doesn't go unmissed, and it gives me an idea for the near future.

"Collect more ammunition, maybe top up your supplies, and then we can make a start on your bow."

"I'm looking forward to it," I reply while taking the lead to the closest building.

Reaching the large floor level window with a bit of a girthy ledge, my eyes glance over at her, seeing her gaze where my ass was.

We like each other's ass, that's a perfect start.

"After you," I say, giving her a hand over the ledge, even though I'm sure she can climb over with ease.

Surprisingly, her hand settles in mine, and my fingers curl around her own to keep that contact locked for as long as possible. Chloe doesn't shrug me off when we're through, and it pleases me. The only time we split off is when we search for things, and it makes me curious, since I expected her to let go at the first opportunity.

During our collecting, I managed to gather enough ammo, and together we rounded up even more grub and medical supplies. Since Chloe left, it was mid-day, and I had missed her instantly, now it's nearing to night time and I can see she's growing tired by the way she subtly rubs at her eyes when she thinks I'm not looking, or how her feet drag on the shorter sides of the room.

Hiking off, there's a nice patch of grass tucked away with leaves galore. Finding the comfiest spot, I bunch a pile of leaves together before retrieving her, and when she spots my makeshift pillow, her eyes fill with gratitude.

"Let's bunk here for the night, we can play Pocahontas tomorrow darling," I offer, dropping my things on the floor before working the bow and satchel off her shoulder.

Once it rests beside my belongings, my gaze swing over to her, unsure what to make of her compliance. Surely she would be putting up some sort of disagreement or something to show that she doesn't like me helping her too much, or the fact I've taken charge for the time being since she's tired.

"Is everything OK?" I ask hesitantly, sitting down beside her feet.

Chloe sighs, dropping back on her ass. "Sorry, I've just been thinking. I didn't think I would see you again, and I was ready to take what you showed me and put it to use . . . but here you are, and I'm not sure what to do with myself."

"I'm sorry?"

She laughs, shaking her head. "I'm happy you came back; I can bet things would've sucked. I'm still getting used to having company, but it's nice."

"Well, you know me," I joke, and she softly laughs, sounding like music to my ears.

"Thank you, Brody."

I smile, and nod to her. "Go on, get some sleep and I'll join you in a bit."

When she looks up at me with big, green, wondering eyes, mine soften and my fingers itch to brush her hair, but I settle with a gentle smile instead before she turns her attention to the locks of grass between her fingers.

As I'm about to leave, she lays down, although her eyes are shut, it's obvious she isn't asleep just yet. Small shivers rake through her body, arms wrapped around herself, and lips pressed firmly to prevent her teeth from chattering. The temperature has gone down since the sun, and if she doesn't get warm, then there's a risk of her catching a cold.

Thank God we stopped for more clothes.

Softly shaking her, she rolls onto her back with a questioning brow, and all I can do is smile before pulling one of the sweaters in her size from my bag before turning back to her. She tiresomely sits up, and not a second goes by before I'm helping her into it. The sensation of her hand on my thigh lights up every cell in my body, and it makes me falter for a moment, thankfully she doesn't notice.

Once it's properly covering her body, my arms instinctively wrap around her, holding her closely to me.

"What are you doing?" Chloe murmurs, a hint of panic in her words.

My chin wrests against her head, giving a soft squeeze as I hold her in place. "I'm keeping you warm, I don't want to risk you getting sick."

"What about you?" she retorts, voice softening.

A smile works its way onto my face. "We can take it in turns, I'll be the little spoon next." We both laugh, and her form begins to relax. "I'm joking, just rest. I'll wake you in the morning."

She mumbles something incoherent before fully relaxing in my embrace. Her trembles cease, and a comforted sigh replaces the shivering of her lips. Brushing the auburn tendril from her features to behind her ear, my finger gently rubs the curve of her cheek, admiring the cute freckles dusting her cheeks ever so lightly before whispering a quick good night in her ear.

My eyes must've been shut for thirty seconds until a whimpers sound beside me. She's trying to toss and turn in my arms, but they keep her still. Whispering sweet nothings while stroking her cheek, the name 'Macey' crops up again, and there's a deep frown tugging at the corner of her mouth. My heart begins to ache, but I'm brushing it away to comfort her.

After a few minutes, Chloe's calming down, this time she rolls over to lay partially on her back and side to face me, a breathy sigh passes her lips, and it stirs something deep inside of me. When those beautiful forest green eyes land on me, they linger and take on a hooded manner, fingers cupping the back of my neck. I'm stunned, but the sensation of her playing with the short hairs on the nape of my neck wakes me up, realising she's pulling me close.

My heart's beating frantically in my chest with nerves and anticipation, if anything, I'd always thought I would be the one to make the first move, not her.

I'm not going to complain.

A gorgeous smile dances on her lips, and mine quirk up at the sides as we become a breath apart. Together, we press forward.

Her mouth's smooth and gentle—delicate like the petals of a flower. They're addictive, and I want more. Connecting to her again, her arms lace around my neck, holding me as close as our bodies allow. Never did I think we would come this close this fast, but it feels right, my heart knows it, and my mind knows it. Being with her is like winning the lottery, and I'm going to make sure to never let her go, and I'm going to make sure she knows I'll always be there for her.

A groan comes from me, and she sighs, feverishly kissing me with all she has. Her legs part for me, and slowly I'm nestling in. The feel of her soft thighs against mine as her legs hug me closely is driving me crazy, my erection straining against the zipper of my jeans, begging to feel her in any way she will allow. Her mouth is heated with mine, and when she denies me entrance with my tongue, my hands tug her hips instinctively to meet mine, a light shift from me at the contact, and she's moaning.

"I wish this wasn't a dream," she moans as my lips litter kisses around her jaw.

"It's not darling, but if it was, we are living it together," I whisper, playing with a lock of her hair, placing another kiss to her lips.

"Even in here, you have a way with words . . . soon I'm going to wake up, and things will be back to how they were," she grumbles, and my actions stop.

"You think you're dreaming?"

"Yeah, you wouldn't be interest in the real world."

Slowly, I'm crawling back onto my ass and sit across from her.

"Hey, where are you going? Last time you were very into it," she taunts, and my heart skips a beat.

This isn't the first time she's dreamt about us. Over the moon yet gutted.

"I'm sorry to disappoint, love. This isn't a dream . . . and you have no idea how I feel," I inform as softly as I can, but my heart is aching, on the verge of disappointment.

It's a real ass kicker to think the girl you fell for is all over you, only to think it's a dream.

What am I supposed to do with that now?

Her eyes start to really open, and her hand flies to her mouth as she shuffles to sit upright, and her legs instantly slam shut. She looks nothing like the seductress from a few seconds ago, if anything she's shy and nervous.

"T-this isn't a dream?"

My head shakes. "No, and by the looks of it, we're both gutted for different reasons."

"And why is that?"

"Because I think only one of us wishes it were a dream."

Her cheeks flare up, and I'm not sure what to do. My body acts and climbs to its feet, and her eyes follow my every move. Now it shouldn't be hard to say how I feel, and whatever happens after this can be taken one step at a time.

"I didn't want this to happen how it has, but I've fallen for you and it's only getting stronger." I take a stride toward her, cupping her cheek carefully. "I want you to be by my side for as long as possible, and I want to be yours as much as I want you to be mine . . . but if you want this as a professional or friendly term, I'll take it. I'll take whatever you give me because I would rather have that than nothing."

Placing a gentle peck to her hair, I'm heading toward the buildings.