Sheamus inhaled deeply and opened his eyes. The morning sun was coming in through the windows, casting it's brilliant light on his face and thereby blinding him.

He quickly turned his head and paused, eyes going to figure curled against him in the bed. The woman was sleeping deeply, beautiful features relaxed and open. Her head was pillowed on his chest, her tiny hand laying just over his heart.

Alina.

Gaze thoughtful, he stared down at her as a wave of love hit him. He felt it so deeply, so strongly, that it made it almost difficult to breathe.

He looked up at the ceiling, scrubbing a hand over his face. He smirked wryly as he noticed it was shaking slightly. With the love came a deep uneasiness.

For a man who had buried his emotions for so long, to feel them again now was both jarring and a little frightening. It was easier when he didn't feel anything at all.

His gaze returned to Ali's face and he felt the uneasiness begin to subside.

Love is many things, my dear. But the one thing love is not is hurt.

A small smile came to his lips. Mrs. Kettle, like always it seemed, was right. He knew absolutely that both Alina and her love would never hurt him. It was the one certainty in this world that he had.

He eased himself out from under her and slipped from the bed, careful not to wake her. He couldn't help but grin as she made a sleepy noise and rolled onto her stomach, snuggling closer to the warm spot where his body had once been.

He carefully slipped on his jeans and wandered out of the bedroom and down the hall, trying to find the bathroom.

This was actually the first time he had set foot in her apartment and he was a little surprised he had found the bedroom last night. Especially with him being otherwise occupied.

He found the bathroom with no problem and quickly relieved himself before washing his hands and stepping back out into the hall. He looked towards the open bedroom door, getting a clear view of Ali from where she laid in the bed. The sheet had slipped down in sleep, her beautiful breasts bared to his hungry eyes.

A wave of lust came over him and while he could think of many ways to wake her up he decided to let her sleep. For now.

He instead wandered into the front room, scratching his bare chest as he looked around.

The front room really consisted of two rooms. The living room, which stood directly before him and the kitchen, a small space to his right that was separated by an island.

He looked around the living room first, taking note of the hundreds of movies and boxed set series the writer had on display in her massive movie case. She wasn't exaggerating about the number.

He gazed up at the bookshelves that were above. They, too, were filled to the brim with books of various genres.

He continued along the wall, his smile deepening as he spied the pictures hanging there. There were some of Alina with an older couple.

The man had the same chestnut hair as his daughter. And his eyes, hidden behind wire framed glasses, were a bright blue and framed with long eyelashes. He had a bushy mustache and his smile was bright. He looked like a man Sheamus would like instantly.

The woman was very pretty and he took her for Alina's mother instantly. They looked so much alike, though her hair was short and sandy blonde. Her eyes were the same as her daughter's though, a striking blue-green.

He gazed at more pictures and he couldn't help but chuckle.

There were some of Alina with a baby boy. The pictures told a story, the lad going from child to a teenager of about thirteen. He was very tall for his age and lanky, towering over his short aunt. His hair was dark brown, as were his eyes. But he could see that they shared the same smile. Bright, beaming.

The rest were of Alina and baby girl who had turned into a lass no more than four or five. She was a wee pixie with the same peaches and cream skin as her aunt. Though her nose and cheeks were dusted with freckles. She also had her aunt's chestnut brown curls and her eyes were like her grandfather's, bright blue.

The Irishman began to frown as he noticed there were no pictures of the children's mother, Alina's sister. Given their past relationship he supposed he shouldn't have been surprised. But he did feel sad for her.

"Hi."

At the sound of the shyly spoken word the Celtic Warrior turned around, his expression growing tender.

Ali stood in the hallway, hair wild and a sheet wrapped around her body. She was looking at him almost carefully, as though she wasn't sure what to expect.

Sheamus felt guilty for that. He imagined she must have been wondering if he had meant what he said to her last night. Or if he was going to take it back and leave again.

Without a word he crossed over to her, picking her up and kissing her hungry. Instantly Ali's arms came around him, the writer returning the embrace.

They kissed until they were forced to part to feed their air starved lungs, but he kept hold of her.

She beamed at him, her worry fading away.

"Good morning." she murmured to him.

"It is now." he told her with a deep chuckle that curled her toes.

"How long have you been up?" she asked as he finally sat her down.

"Not long." he confided, "About twenty minutes or so."

"Are you hungry?" she questioned as she began to make her way towards the kitchen.

He was on her in a second, arms wrapped around her waist and pulling her back against his strong chest. He leaned over, his lips burying in the crook of her neck.

"Ah'm always hungry, sweetness." he murmured between licks and nips.

"I meant for food." Ali giggled but then she closed her eyes and leaned into his seeking mouth. God, what a mouth that man had on him.

He released her and turned her to face him. His expression was at once innocent and Ali didn't buy it for a second.

"So did Ah." he told her with a boyish grin.

"Mmm-hmm." Ali smirked up at him before turning and heading back towards the kitchen.

She had gone a few steps when she felt his large warm hand on her shoulder, halting her movements. She felt his other hand press against the small of her back, leading her over to one of the stools at the island.

"Have a seat, lass." he said as he motioned her to sit down, "Breakfast is on me."

"Sheamus, you don't have to-" Ali started to protest but he gave her a look.

"Ah want to." he nodded towards the stool, "Now sit."

She plopped onto the stool and leaned forward, elbows resting on the island and her chin in her hands.

"Whatever you say." she relented.

His look of triumph didn't escape her and she couldn't help but roll her eyes. Sheamus made his way over to the fridge, opening the door and peering inside. He soon pulled out eggs, cheese, veggies and bacon along with strawberry jelly.

He sat the items on the counter before looking around, unsure.

He glanced back at her and asked hopefully, "Skillet?"

Ali started to hop up when he waved her back down, "Just tell me, lass."

"Inside the stove." she giggled, shaking her head,

"Thank ya." he opened the stove and grinned, "Ah ha!"

He removed the skillet, sitting it on one of the front burners. He then opened the drawer beside the stove, removing a spatula. He looked quite pleased with himself that he had been able to find it without her assistance.

Ali sat back and watched with a smile as he made toast, bacon and omelets. Soon breakfast was ready and he sat her plate before her, adding a glass of juice while he, himself, had a tall glass of milk.

"Sorry I don't have any coffee." the writer said sheepishly.

"It's all right." he gave her a grin before downing half his glass in one gulp.

They ate in comfortable silence for a while, stealing little looks and sharing smiles with each other.

Ali still couldn't believe he was there. When she had woken up that morning and discovered he wasn't in the bed she had thought that last night had been nothing but a dream. But then she had sat up and peered out the door, finding him in her living room and checking out her family photos.

She had to admit that there was still a small part of her that worried that he would get scared again and leave her. She feared that her heart would be broken yet again.

She couldn't believe it when he told her he loved her. Those were the last words she ever expected to hear from him. She still wondered if maybe she had imagined it.

She blinked, coming out of her thoughts, and focused her attention on him. He was looking down at his plate, eyes thought. Instantly uneasiness welled up within the writer.

She began to steel herself as she asked quietly, "Sheamus?"

He blinked, looking up at her. Her gave her a smile but she could seeing something unknown dancing in her eyes.

"Do you do remember when Ah first announced that Ah wanted you if Ah won John's title?" he began.

"Yeah." Ali smiled, "Kind of hard to forget."

"And, uh, Ah told you that you weren't a prize." he mumbled, avoiding her gaze.

"Yeah . . ." the writer said slowly, not sure if she was going to like where this was going.

"Ah didn' mean a word of it." Sheamus admitted, looking at her, "In fact, Ah thought you were the best prize Ah could have won."

Ali ducked her head as she blushed, a soft smile coming to her lips. Okay, that was definitely not what she had expected.

"Flatterer." she giggled, daring to peek up at him through her long lashes.

He leaned across the island and she promptly stood on the rungs of the stool, leaning over to give him a kiss.

"What brought that up?" she asked as she sat back down.

He shrugged, digging into his omelet, "Ah just wanted you to know that Ah always wanted you, is all."

"Well I have a confession to make, too." Ali told him and instantly his eyes returned to her face.

"What?" he asked, curious.

"I've always thought you were quite handsome." she admitted, grinning widely, "Ever since the first time I saw you."

He gaped at her, astonished, "You were terrified of me in the beginnin'."

"I know, but I still thought you were handsome!" Ali said with a laugh, earning a chuckle from the Irishman.

They finished breakfast and the writer hopped up, grabbing the plates, glasses and silverware and putting them into the dishwasher before the wrestler could protest.

"So do you have any plans for today?" Sheamus asked when she finished the task, his hand reaching out for hers.

He led them over to the couch and sat down, settling her firmly on his lap. Ali curled her arms around his neck and leaned against him, head nestled onto his shoulder.

"Not really." she answered, "My book's finished. I just wanted to take some time off to recoup before beginning another one."

"I read yer book." he told her quietly.

He felt her still against him before she asked softly, "You did?"

"Hmm." the Celtic Warrior nodded, "John gave me the copy you gave him along with his spare key."

"Oh." Ali raised her head, curiosity and uncertainty coming over her, "Did you. . .What did you think?"

He looked at her tenderly, hand stroking her hair, "Yer talented, lass. Of course Ah've always thought that. The way you write, you make me feel what yer characters are feeling."

Ali began to smile at him, touched by his words, "I'm glad you liked it."

"Besides," he puffed out his chest, the very picture of arrogance, "It's not everyday a man get made into a romantic hero."

The writer pulled back and looked at him, smirking, "What makes you think Sebastian was based on you?"

He wasn't swayed, a wicked light coming to his eyes as he murmured, "Kind of easy to figure it out, sweetness. Giant of a man wit'-how did you put it? Oh yeah, 'a body that looked like it was carved from marble' and 'eyes the color of blue ashes and filled wit' fire'. Who else would it be?"

He ducked his head, chuckling self-consciously as he added, "Besides, the fella was stubborn as hell and had fiery temper."

"Okay, so you caught me." Ali giggled as she took hold of his chin and made him look into her eyes, "Sebastian is based on you."

"Ah liked him." the Irishman admitted, "Even if he was a bit of a gobshite."

He grew serious as he reached out and stroked her cheek, "Ah especially didn' like how he treated his woman. Ah'm glad he finally got his head out of his arse and told her how he really felt."

"She was glad, too." Ali murmured before he drew her to him for a kiss.

He buried his hands in her silky curls as he took control of her mouth. He tasted her thoroughly, his tongue caressing her own. He could feel Ali's arms tightening around his neck and he grunted in response, one of his hands leaving her hair to band across her waist and pull her tighter against his body.

She could feel his erection beginning to harden and she whimpered, wiggling against him.

Sheamus pulled back with a hiss, eyes hooded and heated as they locked with hers.

"Feel like a shower?" he asked with a smirk and the writer nodded in earnest.

He began to grin as he picked her up, earning a squeal from the woman as he threw her over his shoulder and made his way into the bathroom.

He stepped inside the bathroom and sat her down, face filled with intent. Without a word he took hold of the sheet and began to wind it around his hand as he drew it from her body. Soon she was standing before him, unabashedly naked.

His eyes raked over her body hungrily. It didn't matter how many times he saw her, she always overwhelmed him. She was just so bleedin' beautiful.

"You're turn." she purred, kneeling down before he could reach for her.

She knelt before him, small hands going for the button and zipper of his jeans. She had it opened instantly, his hardening length springing forth. Her eyes widened slightly as she looked at it in awe. It was still so intimidating and astounding to her.

Sheamus saw her approval and all but groaned when that pink tongue of hers came out to lick her lips. He held his breath, waiting as she seemed to contemplate. They had never gone this route before, Ali still too shy and inexperienced to even attempt the act.

He swore if she did it, though, he'd lose his mind and whatever control he had left.

She gazed up at him hesitantly before turning back to his erection. Slowly, cautiously, she reached out and took hold of him in her small hands. She could feel him jerk at her touch and she felt a small sense of feminine pride.

He could practically feel his body burning just from her blue-green eyes on him. His hands clenched and unclenched, his breathing growing deeper and uneven.

Heart hammering, Ali closed her eyes and leaned forward, brushing her tongue gently against the tip of him.

He tilted his head back and groaned, low and deep in his throat. When he looked back down at her his eyes were narrowed with tightly held control and unadulterated lust.

"Get in the shower." he ordered, voice rough.

Ali rose on shaky legs and did as he said, slipping into her shower. She turned and watched on, her own desire growing, as he shucked his jeans and climbed in after her.

Not taking his eyes off of her, he reached behind him and turned on the water. It soon began to heat up as he reached for her.

He had her in his arms and pressed back against the shower wall in seconds. His mouth came down, latching onto her neck where it met her shoulder. Ali gripped at his red locks, holding him to her. Her eyes slid closes as a low moan eased from her lips, her legs coming around him and pulling him closer to her.

Sheamus snaked a hand up to cup her breast, fingers kneading the tender flesh. He heard her whimper in his ear and he turned his head, mouth crashing against hers. He ravaged her mouth for a few minutes before lifting her higher in his arms and leaning down, lips closing around one taunt peak.

Ali's eyes flew open with a gasp at the feel of his lips, teeth and tongue on her. They slowed closed as she leaned forward, pressing kisses against the top of his head.

He captured her other breast, suckling at it hungrily. She tasted so good. The best thing he had ever had on his lips.

He felt himself smirking against her breast. Well, one of the best things for sure.

While he did that his hand moved down between their bodies, fingers exploring her folds and finding them wet with more than just the water from the shower. He slipped a finger inside of her, pumping in and out as he continued to lave at her flesh.

Soon he pulled back from her breast, his mouth once again capturing hers as one finger became two. Ali could feel the pressure growing more and more taunt. Just a little bit more and she was going to splinter.

"Tar. Tar dom." he rasped against her lips as his digits sped up, his thumb now stroking the sensitive bundle of nerves at her apex.

It all became too much for her and white lights exploded behind her eyes as she shattered and her body shook.

Sheamus had pulled back to watch her, taking in the way her head titled back and that smile of absolute satisfaction lit up her features. He would never get tired of that look. It was the most beautiful, most pure, thing he had ever seen. Just like her.

As she came back down she found him watching her, clearly pleased with himself but also filled with want.

She leaned forward and kissed him, whispering against his lips, "Take me, mo laoch álainn."

He needed no further prompting as he took hold of her hips and entered her in one thrust. Her back arched, her arms and legs tightening around him at the feeling of him inside of her. Gasping, she opened her eyes to find him watching her, equal parts lust and concern in his eyes. Even after all that time, he was still worried about hurting her. It made her love him all the more.

She leaned over and kissed him, moving against him to silently tell him that she was all right. That seemed to convince him and he surged against her. He ground his mouth against hers, his tongue mimicking the actions of his thrusts.

She could feel the fire once again blazing to life inside of her and it wasn't long until she was clinging to him, whimper and moaning, calling his name over and over again.

Sheamus heard her calls, felt her response and it spurned him on. His continued to pump into her and soon they came together, bodies shuddering as their joined climaxes washed over them. It made him howl with triumph.

He leaned heavily against her, the wall supporting them both, as he willed his racing heart to subside. Her legs had grown lax, but were still wrapped around him and he could feel her hand stroking his back. He turned his head slightly, pressing a kiss into her temple.

He eased out of her and gently set her on her feet. He couldn't help but grin as she smiled brightly up at him. He reached out and cupped her cheek, thumb stroking her silky smooth skin as he stared deeply into her eyes.

"I love you." Ali murmured, heart in her eyes.

He felt his stomach clench at her words, uneasiness rising up just below the surface. It was still a little unsettling hearing them from her. He was only just starting to accept that he was worthy of her and her love, after all.

Instead of saying anything he cupped her cheeks and raised her up on tiptoe, his lips brushing over hers once, twice, before settling in a long, thorough kiss. He parted her lips easily as his tongue slipped inside and tasted her. He deepened the embrace, but did so with unhurried ease. He took his time, simply enjoying her.

When he pulled back he reached for her washcloth and her bath gel, pouring a generous amount in it. Once he had the cloth lathered up, he began to wash her gently, yet meticulously. There wasn't one part of her body that didn't get touched, first with the soap and then his lips.

To say Ali enjoyed the attention was an understatement. The things that man could do with both his hand and his mouth. . .

But while she enjoyed his ministrations she couldn't help but remember the shadows that had passed over his face at her declaration of love. She knew this was hard for him, coming to terms with his own feelings while accepting hers.

Well I'm just going to have to show him how good it can be between us, she decided and a slow smile came to her as she thought of all the ways she could show him her love.

.

.

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Next up day turns to night. Sheamus meets Ali's new agent, Maxwell, but will things go smoothly? Or will old insecurities rear their ugly head?