157 I want you (1/2)

”Not until you've told me what you have to say... which you can only, for some reason, only tell me once we get home and meet with your brother... which also makes no sense...” She mumbled in a dull tone.

He set her feet back on the ground and stepped away as she turned toward the nearest shelf and began running her fingers over a vase. He moved over behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist, leaning over far enough to nestle his face against her neck. ”Then you'll also remember the reasons, which will make perfect sense soon, why I said it was important to wait.”

She grunted, still studying the various items on the shelf intently. ”Because you don't want us to do something that I may later regret.” She said in the same flat tones as she rolled her eyes.

”Exactly.” He whispered against her ear as he placed a teasing kiss to her neck.

She bent her neck to the side giving him better access. ”That is stupid, and you know it.” She said in a pout. ”You only want to tease and torment me... You don't really want me.” She whined as he kissed a trail down the slender length of her neck.

The corner of his lip twitched upwards. ”Have you already forgotten that I just told you, I love you?”

She shifted to meet his gaze. ”Love?” She asked.

He nodded as he straightened and brushed the loose hairs from her face. ”Yes... I believe I have for some time now.” He smiled. ”Maybe I should have waited to say this as well, but being my age and never meaning those words quite as much as I do now... I couldn't hold them in any longer.”

She tilted her head, ”Is it like lovers?”

He nodded, ”It can be. There are many different forms of the word.” He continued brushing her hair with his fingers as he studied her many different expressions. ”It's something a family member may say to another to let that person know they care deeply for that person or if two lovers come to a point where they care deep enough for each other...”

She pulled away. ”But you don't even want to be my lover.” She said disappointment heavy in her words.

He gently turned her face to his. ”It's not that I don't care enough to be your lover... It's quite the opposite, I promise you.” He hooked a finger gently under her chin. ”I can name you on just a couple of fingers the people who I love: My parents, though my father can be a titanic dick most days.” He held up one finger. ”My siblings, though they are often bigger pains in the ass than they are worth.” He held up another finger as he lowered his face to hers, holding her gaze intently. ”And you...” He held up a third finger and shrugged as he gave her time for the information to sink in.

Her eyes widened, ”I... I am family to you?” She asked in equal parts confusion and happiness.

Jos sighed and took a step closer, resting her head against his chest. ”Then I love you, too.” She whispered. She peered up at him, her face half hidden by his broad chest. ”Because every time I see you something in my chest flutters, every time you kiss me or touch me too... And when I think of you not feeling the same or the possibility this will all be over soon, it hurts... If that is because you are in my chest too... and that is love... then I definitely love you, too.”

Arei smiled warmly down at her as he released her hand and moved his hands back to her face. He stroked both sides of her cheeks with the pads of his thumbs. ”That is exactly what love is, and it's exactly how I feel about you. My heart leaps every time you smile at me or look at me as you are right now, it flutters when your near, when you touch my skin...” he bent and kissed her forehead. ”It beats so fast I think it may bust when you are in my arms or when I think you're in trouble.” He placed another kiss to the tip of her nose. ”The night I thought that ship may hurt you, I thought it would leap out of my chest... and when you vanished into the ocean, I'd prayed to the gods it would stop beating all together.” He pressed a light kiss to her lips. ”I'd never been so afraid in my life,” He smiled down at her. ”and I've fought in some of the bloodiest battles the world has seen.” He kissed her lips again, this time letting his kiss linger longer before whispering against her lips. ”There is so much more to love and being lovers than sharing our bodies.” He stroked her cheeks. ”There will be plenty of time for that later, for right now what we have is amazing.” He pulled her closer, ”And I wouldn't trade these moments for anything.” He held her tightly against him, stroking her long hair soothingly. ”What do you say? Are you alright continuing as we are? Slowly?”

Jos nodded as she traced patterns onto his shirt, following her fingers with her eyes.

He hooked his finger under her chin bringing her eyes up to meet his again. He smiled down at her encouragingly, ”Thank you, Kitten, for being patient and trying to understand.”

She nodded quietly but didn't say anything.

He tilted his head, ”Would you like to know about some of the things in this room?” He asked.

Her eyes brightened as she nodded in a newfound excitement.

His smile widened, ”Alright, what do you say we start with this one.” He pointed to an old pot with a painting of Hercules wearing a lion hide. Before long Arei was completely immersed in the retailing of their history and Jos was hanging on his every word. They had been so distracted; they didn't hear the door open or the person enter until he cleared his throat to get their attention. Both heads turned toward the door and the intruder. ”Father?” Arei asked. ”I was just telling her about some of the old history.” He said placing one of the statues back on the shelf.