Lacy

“His hands as he worked were deft and sure, but so gentle -- he was being careful not to hurt me any more than he had to. I sat very still, hardly daring to move.

I was in love with him.

The knowledge swept through me, truer than anything I'd ever known. Oh, my God, I was in love with him.”
― L. A. Weatherly

“Willow's eyes flew to his, startled. They stared at each other. Her foot felt small under his hand; he rubbed it lightly with his thumb, feeling the silky heat of her skin, his pulse hammering through his veins. He felt like he was falling. All he could see was her.

She looked closed to tears. "Alex--"

Leaning across the corner of the table, he cradled her face in his hands and kissed her.

Her lips were soft and warm. With a sob, Willow returned the kiss, throwing her arms around his neck. He opened his mouth, tasting her; felt her hair tumble down around his hands. Happiness burst through him, exploding through his chest. Willow. Oh, God. Willow.”
― L.A. Weatherly, Angel Burn

“I almost jumped when the door opened. Alex came back inside, wearing black sweatpants; I swallowed as I saw his chest bare. "Forgot my T-shirt," he said sheepishly. His bag was on the floor near the bed, and I watched the lantern light play on his skin as he crossed to it. Squatting by the bag, he pulled out a T-shirt; I sat frozen, taking in the movement of his back and shoulders.

I stood up, my heart hammering. "Wait. Can I just...?" I trailed off as he turned to look at me.

"What?" he said, rising to his feet.

An embarrassed laugh escaped me. I shook my head. "Just--before you put that on, can I...?" In slow motion, I went over to him. I reached out toward his chest and then stopped, my fingers hesitating an inch from his skin. "Is--this all right?"

Alex stood very still, a soft smile on his face. "Anything you want is all right.”
― L.A. Weatherly, Angel

“Wow," she said weakly. "That's even more amazing than I thought it would be."

Alex's arms were still looped around her waist; it took a serious effort not to draw her back to him and start kissing her again. He managed to control himself and grinned. "You mean with me or just in general?"

"In general," she said. "But I have a feeling it's especially amazing with you." She leaned back in his arms, studying him. Shaking her head with a slight smile, she reached out and stroked the line of his cheekbone. "Do you even realize how gorgeous you are?"

What he realized was that he was happier than he'd ever been. He gazed at Willow, drinking in her face, feeling amazed that this was happening--that she was here with him and that she actually felt the same way.

"Come here," he said softly. And pulling her toward him, he simply held her, cradling her against his chest.”
― L.A. Weatherly, Angel