Chapter twenty-two


I woke up, tangled up in the warm, comforting blankets that was a familiar bed. Before I opened my eyes, I could hear the soft snoring of the male beside me. My eyes shot open in panic before I realized; it was Jamie.

Last night was one of the best nights of my life. I had finally gained up the courage to tell Jamie how I felt; and the results were amazing.


.
"No Jamie, I want to tell you. Maybe you'll understand why I was hiding it from you” I whispered, looking up into his eyes. “I just can't lose you Jamie, you're the most important person in my life. I don't know what I would do without you and I-”

I paused, taking in a deep breath.

Without another word, I put my hand on his cheek, pulling him in close to me until our lips met in a soft, gentle kiss. I think it caught him off guard a little bit; but just before I was about to pull away in defeat, he pulled me in close to his chest, deepening our kiss.

He pulled away, the biggest smile playing on his lips.

“I've wanted to do that for so damn long” Jamie confessed with a shy grin.

“Really?” I asked, despite knowing he was telling the truth.

“I didn't think you felt the same way” he murmured, as he intertwined our fingers together.

“I did; and I have, for awhile” I informed him with a sigh. “I've just been denying it for so long. But when Derek asked me to choose between having you as a friend or him as a boyfriend I guess I realized- what I wanted was right in front of me from the beginning” I don't think you could have put a bigger smile on Jamie's face; and it made my smile a million times bigger too.

“Is that what you wanted to wait to tell me?” He asked realization coming over his handsome features.

“That's the conversation Tyler and I were having that you walked in on” I told him in a mumble. “I wasn't sure what to do; when I realized I had more than friendly intentions with you I needed his advice- I didn't think you'd be home so soon” I paused thoughtfully for a moment. “Not to mention I didn't want you to think this was a rebound… And that if you didn't feel he same way, I didn't want to distract you from the playoffs.. Please stop me from talking anytime now I'm rambling” I shot out quickly with an awkward laugh.

“I feel like a giant dick now” Jamie apologized with a grimace.

“Don't” I chuckled. “I should have just grew a pair and fessed up”

“I guess I should have done the same thing” he answered with a grin. He pressed a kiss to my forehead before continuing. “I was just afraid of running our friendship. I don't want to lose you, Hales”

“So, what does this mean for our friendship?” I asked, biting my lip. Obviously, we both realized we wanted to be more than friends. Obviously, I wanted him to ask me to be his girlfriend.

“Well would you- I mean, do you want to go out on a date with me? To dinner?” He asked nervously. “Tonight?” He added as an afterthought.

“I'd love to, Jame” I smiled widely. The nervous aura he seemed to emit disappeared as he placed another gentle kiss on my lips. He pulled away, his smile a mile wide.

“Cool, I'll pick you up in an hour? If that's enough time?” He questioned.

“That sounds perfect” I replied softly, my smile matching his.



I heard a snore come from Jamie's direction, as he turned around, still sound asleep. I took a moment to admire just how attractive Jamie Benn truly was. I truly believed his smile was one of his most attractive features; but then again, there was nothing about the man that was in any way unattractive.

His athletic build was perfect; every ounce of muscle on him a treasure to the eye. Hell, I was fairly certain I was even attracted to the way he styled his damn hair! I had it bad for this guy. The sex with him was possibly the best sex of my life; easily. While I typically frowned upon sleeping with a guy on the first date, this felt different.



I'd know him for almost ten years now; and I was safe to say I was already completely in love with him; I had been falling for him for ages now.

He took me to my favourite restaurant for our date. Despite hanging out with Jamie for years now, I had never been more nervous. I wore my favourite little black dress, paired with a pair of comfortable black flats. I did a little bit of makeup, not much, throwing on the necklace my mother had given me and my smallest diamond stud earrings.

Jamie looked amazing; then again, when did he ever look bad?

“You look nervous” Jamie pointed out, as we waited for our food to arrive. The conversation flowed normally as it always did; but there was just someone different; which was why I was so nervous, I guess.
“I guess I kind of am” I shrugged, trying to play it off. I didn't want him to think I didn't want this; because I did, more than anything in the world.

“Honestly I'm a little nervous too” he admitted sheepishly, reaching across the table and grabbing my hand. I squeezed his hand back, a small smile playing on my lips.

“We don't need to be nervous; let's just enjoy dinner”

He nodded, and we did just that.

After that it seemed as if this was normal for us. We laughed, chatted loudly, and had an amazing dinner. By the time we paid the bill (which I successfully paid by the way) and made our way hand in hand outside towards his car, it felt like we had been doing this forever; it felt right.

“Wanna go for a walk?” Jamie asked, interrupting my thoughts. I nodded; there were few things I enjoyed more than a walk at night. It was peaceful, quiet, and provided perfect thinking time. Having Jamie join me made the experience that much better.

We walked in silence, hand in hand down the path of my favourite park. The air was chilly, a light breeze providing the only sound on the May evening.

“Can I ask you something?” Jamie asked suddenly, seeming to be deep in thought.

“Of course” I answered immediately.

“I know we've only been on one date, but I've wanted to do this for ages now” he stopped in his track. I stopped beside him, eyeing him curiously. “Will you be my girlfriend?”

The biggest smile came over me; I couldn't believe it. Well I mean I could believe it, I was just really happy about it. I nodded, biting my lip as I did so.

“I'd love to, Jame” I giggled, as his nervous look turned into a smile. He leaned down a little before kissing me, softly at first. I pulled him by his jacket closer into me, deepening the kiss. I knew if we kept kissing like this I'd have to do everything in my power to resist jumping him in the park.

He pulled away, a smirk playing on his lips; tonight officially couldn't get any better.

But it did get better, I thought to myself with a blush, remembering the mind blowing sex from last night. We stayed up late afterwards, just cuddling and enjoying each other's company. Truly, I never felt happier. Waking up next to Jamie was amazing; I wouldn't mind waking up to him every day.

Of course I knew that wasn't possible; his schedule didn't allow that.

Sighing happily, I kissed his forehead, closing my eyes and smiling; I wanted to enjoy this moment forever

Notes