Hidden Hearts

Chapter 24. Sleepover

She put me in front of the counter, cutting the carrots and broccoli that she would need to make her vegetable pie. While I was cutting she was cooking something that smelled delicious on a large pot. We kept on a light conversation about music and our preferences. I offered to play for her when she came to the studio and she gave me the prettiest smile I ever had directed my way.

Now I know how to impress her... if playing the piano makes this girl so happy then I will play until my fingers fall off.

Her obvious enjoyment at simply talking with me while we did something as domestic as cooking was like a balm to my bruised soul. Knowing that this girl cared about me and liked me as a person was very warming, I could feel my heart melting by the minute as I stayed in her presence. I was getting worse, at this rate I would end up giving her all my heart before even knowing if she would accept it.

Her giggles were a sweet melody, her low voice a musical sound. Her movements as she worked around the kitchen were fluid and graceful, like a dance. I couldn't take my eyes from her.

That is probably why I cut my finger.

"Ouch!" I exclaimed and automatically put my bleeding finger in my mouth.

Suddenly I felt tiny, soft hands on my arm, tugging my hand closer to worried, green eyes.

"Let me see, sweetheart." Her voice was worried and distracted, like she wasn't really paying attention to what she was saying, her focus completely on my hurt finger.

I blushed, her nickname to me causing my heart to tumble in my chest. Did she mean anything by it? "Sweetheart" was one of those sweet nicknames that he dreamed of one day calling a girlfriend and being called back, but he knew that some people called friends and family members "sweethearts" too.

My princess, my sweetheart...

She let go of his hand and ran to grab the first aid kit. Coming back she tugged him over to the sink and let the water clean his wound a little before using the peroxide and putting a Band-Aid over the cut.

"There you go." She crooned to me before kissing the back of my hand. I could feel my cheeks heating at her gesture. Leaning down I kissed her cheek, letting my breath fan over her ear as I whispered a thank you to her. Goose bumps rose in her arms and I smiled even while my heart sped up at having her so close and knowing that I was affecting her too.

Pulling back I saw her pupils had dilated a little making her eyes darken in desire. I couldn't take it anymore, her eyes were killing me. I was almost afraid, my heart thundering n my chest.

"Princess..." I chocked through my strangled throat. My arms went around her to hug her tight to me, my fingers slipping over her ribs, trying to express how I felt what I couldn't with words.

Somehow she seemed to understand me, like she always did with all of us, sometimes knowing what we needed before we even realized it ourselves.

One of her arms slipped around my waist, hugging me tight to her while the other one rose so she could spear her fingers through my hair, pulling my head down until I had my face hidden on her neck. I sucked in a deep breath of her sweet smell; her warmth and caring while holding me calming my heart, making me feel lighter than I ever had before.

She cared, I told myself, she really cared about me.

......

As soon as I walked into the kitchen I saw Cupcake and Vic spring apart like teenagers caught in the act, their cheeks cherry red.

I smirked. Teasing these two would be far too easy but I chose to refrain for now. I didn't want to mar this relationship that was growing between all of us;