Revised 11.6.18

I sat silently thanking the heavens that Tim had asked me to wear something comfortable because we're currently sitting in a small boat floating down the lake. It's beautiful out here. The water is dark and cloudy so I can't see the bottom but it's still nice to be out on the water. The wind picks up slightly blowing the leaves across the ground.

Tim is sitting across from me. Leaning back on his elbows, his shirt is scrunched up a bit causing a little bit of skin to show. His skin is so tanned; I just want to reach out and touch him.

He looks over at me and smiles.
"I brought some crackers and cheese. Strawberries and some hot chocolate. Would you like something?" He asks pulling me out of my thoughts.

"Sure. Some strawberries would be nice. So, how's work and everything?

He chuckles a little. "You really want to talk about that? It's not like we really have to get to know each other we can skip the small talk."

Feeling embarrased, I don't respond and just look out into the water.

"Sorry Sam. I didnt mean it that way. I just meant I already know you so well and vice versa that we don't really have to cover all the basic stuff people do when they date. But to answer your question..... work is great. I like it -- I have made lots of friends there. Really cool guys, I'd like for you to hang out with them some day." He hands me a bottled water and I reach out to grab more strawberries but instead he grabs my hand and pulls me to him a little. He grabs my chin softly and ask me to open my mouth.

My cheeks turn crimson and hesitantly grant his request. I open my mouth slightly as he feeds me a strawberry. "I'd like to eat strawberries like this all the time." I think to myself as I look up at him. There's something in his eyes I've never seen before.

"What? Do I something on my face?" I ask wiping around my mouth.

"That was possibly the most sexiest thing I've seen." He says, his voice low and husky.

If I wasn't blushing before, I am now. I am probably as red as a tomato. He reaches out and softly rubs at my cheeks as if he can wipe of my blush. "I think it's cute when you blush."

"You do?" I simply ask.

"Yes, want some crackers?" He says quickly changing the subject.

We watched the sun go down before going ashore. I love watching the pinks and orange blend together in the sky. Next on Tim's agenda to end the night was stargazing.

We laid on the cool green grass side by side. Watching the stars flickering and the half moon rising higher in the sky.

As we laid there, we talked more and laughed. He asked me how I was doing with all this and simply replied "I'm not sure yet."

He nodded and said he understood. He was not in a rush. He wanted to go my pace. I can say that I never expected to start feeling this way towards Tim. I mean he's always been handsome. It was not a thing of attraction. Was I attracted to him? yes!

What I needed to was rewire my brain from a friendship to a romantic relationship. I never thought about it once. He's always been like a brother to me. Now I have these feelings that have I have started to develop for him. He makes me feel so special when I'm around him. Now that I think about it, he's always been protective and careful to treat me with as much love and care as possible.

I love him for that.

For a while now, We've both have stayed silent just watching the stars. He's been so quiet that I turn my head to the left to see if he fell asleep and see that he is looking at me.

"Aren't suppose to be watching the stars and moon?" I ask him pointing towards the moonlit sky.

"You are my star and moon. You shine into the most darkest part of me. I love you." He kisses the back of my hand and entertwines our fingers. He then smiles and looks back to the sky.

"I love you too." I whisper back. From my side view, I can see his smile grow even bigger.

We ride back to my apartment. Tim takes my hand as we walk up to the second floor to my apartment. We stop as we arrive to my front door and that's when I start fidgeting.

"Don't make this awkward!! Just ask him..." I mentally scold myself. "Um, Tim?"

"Yes." He looks at me waiting for the words to come out. I wrap the hair at the end of my braid around my finger. I look down and ask "Do you want to come inside? For a little while longer. We can watch a movie? And order some pizza?"

He steps closer to me, making me step backwards until my back is flat against my door. He leans in and I catch a whiff of his cologne. His woodsy spicy scent nearly drives me over the edge. "Yes, I'd like to come in." He whispers and kisses me lightly on my cheek before grabbing my keys from my hand. He unlocks my door and walks in leaving me standing by myself in the hallway.

I can't move, I'm glued to my spot. He just took my breath away. When he sees that I'm still in the hallway, he comes back out and grabs my hand to pull me inside.

"Were you planning on staying outside all night? I ordered pizza already. It'll be here in 30 mins."
I nod in response and he just chuckles. He pulls me down on the sofa next to him and starts flipping through the channels looking for something to watch.

I'm so speechless. He has to speak up again to get me out of the daze I'm currently in. "What did you say?" I ask.

"I said. The Avengers or Just go with it?" He asks me.

"Um, you choose. I can't think right now." He laughs at that and chooses Just go with it. My guess? He's trying to choose something he knows I'll like. Not that I wouldn't like The Avengers but I love me a romantic comedy plus it's Adam Sandler!

Then the doorbell rings.

"I'll get it." I say holding out my hand waiting for him to give me some money.

"What?" He asks. "Man, it already begins." He says sarcastically. We both laugh at that. I open the door and hand the delivery guy the money Tim gave me. "Keep the change." I tell him. "Thanks" he says in return with a huge smile on his face.

I close the door and head to the kitchen, putting the pizzas on the counter top. I walk over to the cabinet to grab some plates and feel a pair of warm hands on my waist. Tim wraps his arms around me and holds my back close to his chest. I let out a sigh and turn in his arms.

I look up as he leans down and our lips are inches away from tounching. I can feel his hot breath on my mouth. He doesn't make a move to close the distance between our lips. My guess would be he's letting me decide if I'm ready for that yet.

So I rise up on my tippy toes to meet his lips. Our lips touch and move in sync. My lips fit perfectly to his. It starts off as a shy, sweet kiss but once he nips at my bottom lip, I gasp, opening my mouth and his tongue plunges inside my mouth. Our tongues dance to the sound of our erratic heartbeats.

The kiss quickly turns passionate as Tim grabs me by the waist and sets me on top of the counter. He steps between my legs and has both of his hands on my waist travelling down my thighs and back up under my shirt.

Light touches on my bare skin have me in a lustful daze. I decide to be brave and grab the hem of his black tshirt and I lightly touch the skin underneath. I run my fingers on top of his stomach then behind to his back. A moan escapes his mouth as I touch him.

He kisses me one final time before stopping and looking into eyes. Of course, I blush and he grins when I do. "I just wanted to do that before you get garlic breath." He says as he flicks my nose and steps back. Immediately pulling me out of our intimate moment.

I punch his shoulder and hop off of the counter. "Make yourself useful and grab the plates." I tell him feigning aggravation.

"I love you too cupcake." He calls back as I walk into the living room.

We cuddle up on the couch afterwards. I guess I fell asleep because now I feel my body being placed on my bed.

"Hey, did I fall sleep?" I ask him. "Yea, but it hasn't been long. I'm going to go ahead and go home. Do you need anything before I go?" He says as he leans over to pulls my shoes off my feet and placing them on the floor.

"Nope, I'm good. Thank you for tonight. I had a great time." I say as I grab his hand giving it a light squeeze.

"I had a great time with you, too." He leans in and kisses my forhead. "Goodnight, beautiful."

"Good night." I whisper back and close my eyes. And I can swear that I hear him say these words as he leaves my room.

"You're mine."

But maybe I dreamt it.