Life had a strange way of slipping back into its usual rhythm, even after the most unexpected encounters. It had been a week since CJ last visited my shop. I figured he was busy with his finals, and honestly, I didn't give it much thought. I had my own life to manage, and the shop kept me occupied. Kat had been around less frequently, caught up in her own whirlwind romance, but her absence was a welcome change. I needed the solitude to sort through my jumbled thoughts.
The nights were the hardest. Despite my attempts to distract myself with work or mindless scrolling through social media, the silence of the night always brought back memories of CJ's visits. His eyes, his voice, the way he seemed genuinely interested in what I had to say—it was all too vivid in my mind. I had never felt such a connection with anyone before, and it scared me.
It was around 2 AM when my phone buzzed on the bedside table. I groggily reached for it, squinting at the screen. It was CJ.
"Hello?" I answered, my voice thick with sleep.
"Princess, can you open the door?" His voice was soft but urgent. "I'm outside."
I sat up, my heart racing. "What? Why are you here?"
"I just finished my finals and drove straight here. I wanted to see you," he said, sounding exhausted. "Please, can you open the door?"
I didn't need any more convincing. I threw on a hoodie and padded down the stairs to the shop's entrance. When I opened the door, there he was, looking tired but relieved. His eyes met mine, and for a moment, we just stood there, taking each other in.
"Come in," I said, stepping aside to let him in. "You must be exhausted."
He nodded, a small smile playing on his lips. "Yeah, it's been a long day."
I led him upstairs to my room, feeling a strange mix of excitement and nervousness. My room was small but cozy, with fairy lights strung across the walls and a pile of books on the nightstand. I gestured for him to sit on the bed while I fetched a glass of water.
"Here," I said, handing him the glass. "You must be thirsty after that drive."
"Thanks," he replied, taking a sip. "I just... I needed to see you. I couldn't wait any longer."
I sat down beside him, feeling the warmth of his body next to mine. "I'm glad you came," I admitted. "I missed you."
He grinned mischievously, despite his fatigue. "Oh, you have no idea how much I missed you," he teased, leaning closer with a playful glint in his eyes.
I chuckled softly, feeling a blush creep into my cheeks. "Well, you're here now."
Without warning, he leaned in and kissed me—softly at first, then with a growing urgency that ignited a familiar warmth in my chest. His hands found their way to mine, fingers interlacing as if unwilling to let go.
Our kiss deepened, passion simmering just beneath the surface despite his obvious tiredness. I found myself lost in the moment, forgetting everything else except the feel of his lips against mine, the gentle warmth of his touch.
But as much as I wanted to lose myself in him, I sensed his exhaustion. With great reluctance, I gently pulled back, my hands resting on his chest.
"CJ," I murmured, my voice barely above a whisper. "You look really tired. Maybe we should... save the rest for tomorrow."
He sighed, his forehead touching mine as he caught his breath. "I want more," he admitted huskily, his playful demeanor giving way to raw desire. "But you're right. I am tired."
I smiled tenderly, stroking his cheek. "Tomorrow," I promised softly, leaning in to press a lingering kiss to his lips. "We'll have all the kisses in the world tomorrow."
He smiled back, a mixture of exhaustion and affection in his eyes. "I can't wait," he murmured, pulling me close again in a comforting embrace.
As we settled into a quiet moment, I couldn't help but marvel at how effortlessly CJ could lighten the mood, even when tired. Life with him was a delicate balance of playfulness and deep connection, and in that moment, with him beside me, I felt a sense of contentment that washed away any lingering doubts.
"Come on," I whispered, guiding CJ to lie down on the bed. He settled in, and I carefully tucked the covers around him, ensuring he was comfortable. He looked up at me with a grateful smile as I settled beside him, wrapping my arms around his waist. His head found its place on my chest, and I could feel his breathing gradually slowing down as he began to relax.
"Can you sing to me?" he asked softly, his voice barely audible in the quiet room.
I hesitated for a moment, caught off guard by his request, but then nodded with a gentle smile. "Of course."
Closing my eyes, I let the melody flow from my lips, a soft hum at first, a tune that my mother used to sing to me during restless nights. The melody was simple yet comforting, and I felt CJ's body easing further into relaxation with every note. I stroked his hair tenderly, my fingers trailing lightly over his scalp as I sang.
After a while, the humming evolved into words, the lyrics of "Turning Page," a song that had resonated deeply with me since the first time I heard it. It felt fitting for this moment, its lyrics touching on love, vulnerability, and the shared journey of life.
"I surrender who I've been for who you are, for nothing makes me stronger than your fragile heart," I sang softly, my voice blending with the stillness of the room. "Well, I would have known what I've been living for all along... what I've been living for..."
As I continued to sing, I noticed CJ's breathing becoming steady and even, his body fully relaxing against mine. The warmth between us seemed to deepen, cocooning us in a quiet intimacy that spoke volumes of unspoken feelings and shared moments.
I watched him sleep for a while, marveling at the peaceful expression on his face. In that quiet moment, I realized how deeply I had come to care for him, how his presence had woven itself into the fabric of my life, bringing a sense of comfort and joy I hadn't known before.
Gently pressing a kiss to his forehead, I whispered, "Goodnight, CJ."
For the first time in a long while, a sense of contentment settled over me. Despite the uncertainties that often clouded my thoughts, I felt a glimmer of hope. Maybe, just maybe, things were starting to look up. Holding him close, I knew that whatever challenges lay ahead, we would face them together, one tender moment at a time.
As CJ slept peacefully beside me, I found myself reflecting on the journey that had led us to this moment. From our playful banter to the quiet intimacy we now shared, each step had brought us closer, forging bonds that felt unbreakable.
The soft glow of dawn began to filter through the curtains, casting gentle shadows across the room. In the quiet of the early morning, I felt a surge of gratitude for the simple yet profound moments we had shared. It was in these moments, wrapped in each other's embrace, that I knew I had found something worth cherishing—a love that whispered promises of tomorrow and dreams yet to unfold.
As the day slowly awakened outside, I held onto the warmth of CJ beside me, knowing that with each passing moment, our love would continue to grow, turning pages of our story together, one beautiful chapter at a time.
*******