Chapter Twenty-One: Charming Words.

I'm woken up by the insistent bright sunshine coming through the floor-to-ceiling windows in the living room. Throughout the night, our sleeping position seems to have shifted and I now lie on my back with half of Jake's body on top of me, his head resting on my chest and his arm over my waist. His long eyelashes shadow his cheeks and his chest slowly falls and rises as he breathes peacefully. We fell asleep, staring at the view in silence. I vaguely remember Jake's fingers running through my hair, his heartbeat sounding against my ear before I fell asleep. I'm not sure what time it is, but it seems to be early morning as the birds can be heard chirping and the noise of small traffic below is very faint. As I run my fingers through his hair -- now that he doesn't have the snapback on, I notice just how careless he has been with the length of his hair and I find myself wishing he keeps it this way just so I can continue to comb my fingers through the soft strands of light brown hair every day. Regardless of how comfortable I am despite our position, I need to return to my hotel room to take my meds and a shower. I texted Carter last night, letting him know I'd be spending the night here instead of the hotel room. He replied saying he expected that to be the outcome and that he will see me once I returned to the hotel. I kiss Jake's forehead and attempt to slowly get out of his embrace. His sleeping self notices the small movement and softly groans in protest before tightening his arms and moving his head further into my chest.

"Bunny, I need to leave." I whisper in a second attempt to get out of his cuddle.

He hums a denial. His leg also tightening over mine and locking it between his. Now, it's nearly impossible for me to get out of under him.

I laugh, trying to push him away. "Jake." His shoulders move back with my push but the rest of his body remains still, proving how weak my pushes are against his muscled body.

"Nooo.." He drags out. His voice still heavy with sleep.

"I need my meds or I'll turn crazy and break up with you times two," I joke.

He snuggles his head on my chest, rubbing his cheek on it before feeling comfortable enough. "It's too early, though."

I let my fingertips lightly touch his scalp as I run them back and forth through his hair. "For me to get crazy and break up with you or for me to leave?"

"Mmm..." He hums in thought, then replying, "Both."

I laugh. It's comforting to find humor on the thing that ultimately drove us apart. It shows and proves just how much the break helped. Maybe, we wouldn't be this comfortable if I hadn't taken time to myself. It reassures me that I made the right decision by letting us take a four-week break.

"You can come with me if you want." I try to persuade him.

"Or we can stay here and sleep a little bit more." He suggests, going against me.

I chuckle. "Jake, I really need to go back to the hotel." I say, attempting to push him away again. I fail. Again.

"Five more minutes," He murmurs against my chest.

"I can make you coffee in those five minutes." I offer in hopes of getting out of under him.

"No, we'll find a Starbucks drive-thru and buy it there. Now, shush." He closes his eyes, cuddling and pretending to return to his slumber.

"For God's sake, Jake." I say, but laugh at his child-like contradictory behavior.

I feel him smile against my chest in satisfaction at my reaction and lack of effort. He pears up. "Can I get a kiss?"

"Am I going to be set free?"

"That's a question not an answer. I'll answer you after you kiss me."

"We both have morning breath." I state as a matter of fact.

Jake removes his head from my chest and I begin to believe I'm being set free until he puts himself on top of me and cages me with his forearms on each side of my head.

"So?" He kisses the shell of my ear, whispering, "Believe it or not, Petal, you've kissed me with morning breath before."

"It's your twenty-sixth birthday in a few weeks."

He chuckles against my neck. "Don't change the subject at matter, Sky."

"I'm not." My hand rests on his waist, going under his tshirt to feel his skin touch my fingers.

"You know, you're not being the best friend with kisses by denying the out fair right of receiving a kiss per request."

"I'll give you a quick one now, but once I go back to the hotel, take my meds, brush my teeth and see you again, I'll give you a proper one. Yeah?"

He stays silent, contemplating my offer. His green eyes are shining as the sunshine coming through the windows reflect on them. I could get lost in them, admiring their emerald color. Even though mine are a mossy green, I often find myself envying the bright and lighter color his have.

"C'mon. It's a fair deal." I tell him, a small smirk present on my lips.

He lowers his head. "Fine."

I give him a peck, chuckling at his groan of discontentment when he agrees. This are the moments with him I missed the most during our separation. This innocent exchanges between us that make me feel giddy, like a sixteen year old feeling butterflies in her stomach after her crush notices her for the first time. It's a feeling I know will never fade away no matter how many years pass by. One of my hands remains on his waist under his shirt while the other continues to play with his hair.

"I need a haircut. I got a trim during the holiday but it grew back faster than I thought." Jake sits up, bringing me up with him.

I shake my head in disagreement. "I've grown quite fond of it this way." I push back small strands of brown hair that linger on his temple. I kiss his nose, "Are you coming with me?"

I stand up and reach for my shoes, sitting on the love chair to put them on. He nods, yawning and running a hand through his hair to control the messy ruffle created during his sleep. He seems tired and it's still early. I feel a bit of guilt for asking him instead of telling him to stay, taking into consideration how he could rest while I go back to the hotel and freshen up.

"You're tired, Bunny."

He shakes his head, catching the message and starts tying up his shoes. "I can catch a rest in your room."

"So stubborn." I murmur, ready to go.

"Always." I catch him murmur back and laugh.

* * *

My time in New York remains indefinite and something that has still not been discussed between us. I have part of my life and my work settled in Boston. If Jake and I were to agree that I will come back -- which is the likely thing to happen -- I would need to stop the sales of the store in order to move my stuff to the newly bought penthouse. I didn't get to see the rest of the first floor and the entire second floor this morning since we had to leave and return to my hotel room, but I'm hoping that the still unseen space has a room I could temporarily takeover as the office and storage of the store. Jake is planning to give me a "grand tour" -- his words -- of the complex once I finish freshening up and we go out for lunch since breakfast for us was coffee.

I exit the bathroom with a towel wrapped around my damp body and catch Jake on the bed. He's on his back, shoes removed and both hands behind his head as he rests some more. He looks like a small little boy basking in sleep. As slowly as possible, I lie next to him on my stomach. My right hand supporting my chin as I look at him. I feel a grin starting to appear on my lips when he raises his eyebrows in question before opening his eyes, still half-lidded with sleep. His left hand leaves the back of his head to settle on the curve of my lower back, covered by the towel.

"You're free, today?" I ask him.

He nods, his eyes shortly closing before opening again. I'm beginning to worry about his exhaustion. I've seen him tired and on his last draw of energy, but this surpasses those times.

"You're beyond tired." I accuse. "When was the last time you rested properly?"

He begins to think about it and I raise my eyebrows, warning him not to lie. He sighs, "Monday." Four days ago.

His hand in my lower back falls as I sit up, adjusting the towel. "And you didn't bother to ask Mark for a break? Jake, driving yourself to the brick of tiredness will only result in sickness. Look at you. You can barely keep your eyes open."

"It wasn't just work keeping me up, Sky." My throat suddenly constricts at his accusation. He sighs, catching just how badly his words sounded. "I had the penthouse and your arrival to stress about. It was hard to catch some sleep." He says more softly.

I stand up, leaving the bed.

"Sky..."

I turn around, "I'm not mad, okay? I just feel guilty for your state. It's my fault you're lacking sleep. You even look skinnier." I raise my arm, signaling at his body.

Jake sits up. "My state isn't entirely your fault, Sky. During our break, I did non-stop promo for the single. Promo I would have still done if we were together."

"Please." I start, incredulously. "You eat the equivalent of the entire New York population. It would take more than just promo for you to lose appetite. That more being me."

He walks towards me, pulling me against him as he locks his hands on my back. "Then, you should feel flattered you were able to tame my monster appetite."

"What a charming way to make me feel better, asshole." I hit his chest half heartedly.

Jake laughs, crushing me against him in a hug. His cheek resting on the top of my head. The knot of my towel loosens and I feel it slightly slip down.

"Let me go change."

He pulls apart, only enough to see my face and pucks his lips.

I stand on the tip of my toes and grant him his kiss that I promised earlier. He deepens the kiss, cupping my cheek with one of his hands. I feel the towel become extreme loose and reach for it, pulling it closer to my body. I step back, breaking away. Jake with a grin in his face, slaps my bum as turn to reach for my clothes. I don't bother reprimanding him and just shake my head at his cheekiness. One I missed and didn't experience for a long month.