KAWEHI
That night, as the moonlight streamed through the window and the loose curtains around the four-poster bed moved gracefully in the breeze, Kawehi turned a little at a time trying not to wake Dom as he slept.
She was almost on her back when he softly groaned and turned her around to face him.
"I'm awake, gorgeous."
She smiled and was happy to see that there was enough light for her to see his face. "Sorry. I've been thinking."
"No need to apologize for that, my love. I like that brain of yours. It's one of my favorite parts of you."
Her eyes widened a little. "You have favorite parts?"
He lifted a hand free of the light sheet that was covering their bare bodies and trailed his fingertips over her unbound hair. "I love your hair. And I love your nose," he touched the tip of a finger to the end of her nose, "and I love your-"
She gave his hand a little swat. "Let me guess, you love all of my parts."
He grinned back at her. "See? That's an awesome brain you have."
She rolled her eyes and tangled their feet together under the sheet. "Well, you'll be thrilled to know that I've been using that brain."
"Always," he gently brushed her hair back over her shoulder, "but what specifically have you been thinking about tonight?"
"A few things, actually." She licked at her lip and watched as his eyes darted down to watch. "The judge has agreed to fast track my divorce given the whole attempted murder thing."
He nodded but she quickly moved on because she didn't want to talk about Nick in more than the vaguest terms possible.
"So, I'll be legally free soon to match my heart."
"That's great," he swept his thumb across her cheek as his gaze roamed over her face.
"So I was wondering," she swallowed at the tightness in her throat, "if when we get back- Or any time after that, if you're interested." She paused. "I want you to let me get out my thoughts before anything else happens." With that she nodded to herself and drew in a steadying breath before she spoke.
"You spend a lot of time with me at the house and I love it when you're there so I'm thinking you could move in with me."
He opened his mouth, and she shook her head.
"Let me get this out, please."
He nodded, his lips pressed lightly together.
She kept talking before she lost her nerve. "And I know I don't seem to have the best record with marriage, but I think I want to try it again. Someday. If you're... at all interested."
His smile led her to hope.
"And..."
Dom's hand settled on her hip and his thumb stroked her skin. She wanted to make love to him again.
"And?" He looked back at her. "Do you have something else you want to ask me or do you want me to answer."
Another breeze moved through the room and her skin heated at its touch. "I didn't really ask you a question. And remember I want to get it all out first."
He nodded. "True. Sorry."
She nodded. "I've been waiting for so long for someone to show me why falling in love was so important, but Nick only knew how to use love to get what he wanted. With you," she lifted her hand and mimicked his gentle touch against his cheek with her fingertips, "I know what it feels like. And I'm getting to understand myself more."
Pallas mouthed 'I love you,' and a tear fell from her eye and moved toward the bridge of her nose.