Chapter 27

We laid on several blankets that were inside the tent; our feet towards the back and our heads towards the door to look up at the sky. The blanket on top of us shifted as Edd tucked it tighter around himself. He hadn't stopped talking since we got here. He was constantly pointing out stars and even went on a tangent about Jupiter. Not like I could complain. But, then again, not like I was really listening either.

I was in my own little world, trying to figure out how I was going to tell him exactly how I felt. At some point I had come to the conclusion that I really wanted to try dating Edd. No trial run; no friends interrupting us; no secrets; no more being afraid to show him my true feelings and intentions.

But I never got a chance for any of that.

"Kev," his voice was soft and dragged my attention to him. In a tone like that, he couldn't want to talk about the stars. "I really like you. And I really like spending time with you. We've been together for a little while now. And I was just wondering, if your feelings have changed. Like, do you like me? Are you still neutral?" He was quiet for a moment. "Do you dislike me?"

I chuckled and he jumped. "Edd, I've been struggling with trying to figure out just how to tell you what I've been feeling. And I promise, it's anything but dislike."

He sat up and looked down at me, "you mean?"

I sat up and looked at him, locking his eyes with mine, "will you go out with me? For real, Edd. No trial this or trial that. I like you. I want to date you seriously."

He turned away from me, his face turning red all the way up to his ears. It caused me to smile and I wanted nothing more than to make him look at me. Actually, if I was being quite honest, in this moment, I wanted to kiss him and tell him that everything would be all right because I was serious.

His eyes met with mine and I couldn't help myself. I placed a hand on his cheek and held his head in place as I moved my own closer. He jerked away from me for a moment, his eyes drastically moving back and forth, searching mine for clarity. I smiled and his name quickly passed my lips. His eyes flickered to the source of the noise and I took the opportunity to move forward again.

He didn't move this time and my lips gently pressed against his. His eyes squeezed shut and I chuckled softly, pressing my lips to his for a second time. A sound I had never heard him make came from the back of his throat as he exhaled. He sat up straight and turned away from me, obviously embarrassed by the noise. But me? Hearing him make such an exotic sound only wanted me to pin him down.

I hesitated.

He looked at me, small tears forming in the corners of his eyes. I quickly rubbed my thumbs against his eyes and he chuckled softly, placing both his hands on mine. He stayed there for what felt like forever; his eyes closed and a smile across his face. I noted the heat coming from his cheeks. It was true; I had never felt a warmth like this with anyone else.

"I'm so happy," he finally spoke, his voice still soft. "I feel like my heart's going to explode."

I couldn't help but laugh as I took one of his hands from mine and placed it on my chest. "I know what you mean."

His smile grew as he looked at his hand I had pressed against me. My guess was he was accepting my heat just as much as I was his. I shifted, taking my hand from his face, and motioned for him to come closer to me. He crawled towards me, quickly closing the gap between us. I placed a hand on his hip and tugged so his bottom fell right between my legs. Wrapping my arms around him, I tucked my head into the crook of his neck, taking in the warmth. I rather enjoyed this warmth.

He chuckled and leaned back against me, "You're so warm."

"So are you."

He laughed, "I'm freezing, what are you talking about?"

It was my turn to chuckle. "You need to gain some muscle."

He looked at me with a pout as I grabbed one of the blankets and wrapped it around us. He turned his attention back out the door of the tent and smiled. Closing his eyes he took a deep breath and I couldn't help but stare at his profile. When he finally opened his eyes I found myself unable to tear my eyes away from his. His eyes were already a beautiful blue. But in the moonlight, they shined more vivid in color than I had ever seen before. I loved that color.

Shifting slowly, I placed a kiss on his forehead. "I love you. Edd."

He jumped just a bit in my arms. I let my eyes drift back to his as tears now fell freely down his cheeks. I smiled and he cried. He pressed his forehead to my chest and I held him close to me. I didn't want to lose this heat; I didn't want to lose this person before me.

"Kev," I managed between sniffs. "I love you, too."