Always

Chapter 65

It was nearly dark by the time Harry and I left his father's grave. My body was stiff from sitting on the ground for so long, but I didn't mind. I had just had an incredibly emotional experience with Harry, and I couldn't be more grateful. He hugged me to his side as we walked, arm slung perfectly around my waist. We were quiet as we walked, both of our minds still buzzing from what had all been said and felt.

To say that it had been one of the most important days of my life was an understatement; so much was said about our relationship from the fact that Harry had taken me here: he loved me, trusted me, and perhaps most of all, was really in this for the long run, not just some high school relationship. I felt like we both knew this was so much more than that- so much more than the casual dating that everyone else seemed to do.

We had a deeper, truer, feel-it-to-the-bones kind of love that only came around once in a great while. This wasn't the same thing other people are age experienced, and I knew that. This was more than an infatuation, it was an all-consuming need for each other. 'I love you' didn't seem to be strong enough for what I felt for him.

He was absolutely my better half, the other piece of my soul that had finally been reconnected with the piece I held in my heart, melting us together as a perfectly combined whole. My need for him was felt in every single way possible: mentally, emotionally, and physically. I had never trusted anyone more in my life, nor felt so trusted by someone else.

More so, no one had ever loved me the way he did- so whole-heartedly, completely, and unconditionally. I felt it in every move he made; the slightest touch of his skin to mine, each and every kiss he gave me, and the way he simply looked at me were all saturated with his love for me, and I knew I was the same. My heart literally throbbed with love for him, and I didn't think I could ever love him anymore only to be surprised each and every day when I fell for him more and more until he had completely taken over my very soul.

He was mine, I was his, and that would never change. We had each others' hearts with no intention of ever returning them. I knew with all my heart that he would go to the ends of the earth for me, sacrificing whatever necessary for me without a second thought, which comforted me because there was absolutely nothing I wouldn't do for this boy.

I didn't think it was possible to be so completely and utterly in love with a person, but here I was, sharing my heart and soul with Harry, giving him every single part of me I had to offer.

My mind was spinning with all of the dramatic yet completely accurate thoughts floating through it as we reached Harry's car. Reluctantly, I released his hand to climb into the passenger seat, immediately missing the contact of his skin.

God, I had it bad.

As soon as he threw himself into his seat, I reached across the console to grab his face and pull him to me, kissing his lips gently yet desperately. He responded quickly, molding his lips around my own as his hand slid up my cheek. It was the first real kiss we had shared since we left my house; it had felt wrong to be overly affectionate like that in the cemetery, almost disrespectful aside from sharing a quick, chaste peck.

All the emotions and words we had shared today were driving me crazy, desperate with need to have him as close as possible. It appeared he was feeling the same way because he slid his tongue along my lower lip, deepening the kiss as I shifted in my seat. While the kiss was slow, it was a burning, building connection and as usual, I felt it through my entire body.

When he pulled back, his green eyes were alight with what could only be love and adoration focused directly on me.

"What have you done to me?" he asked quietly, thumb stroking softly across my jaw.