Sapphire Universe by Devon Herrera Page A

most vulnerable if they don’t love you?  I will never do that to myself again and even though I was falling hard for Connor, I wasn’t even sure how long he would be here. I finish making the two cups of cider and hand Connor his.  Sitting across from him at the kitchen table seems way too formal for this conversation. 
    “Let’s go back into the living room.” I stand and nod towards the couch.
    “Sit down Nina.  I can practically hear your mind whirling.  Why do you always do this as soon as I think we are finally getting somewhere?  You can tell me anything.”  I sit back down and sigh.  How does he always know?
    “I can’t have sex with you right now.”  I blurt, eloquent as usual. 
    Connor raises his eyebrows and I can tell he’s trying to process this information.  “Why do I get the feeling you’re not trying to tell me that it’s your time of the month.” 
    Now it’s my turn to be shocked.  Nothing is off limits with this man.  “Um…no its not.”  I say embarrassed.  “I wish it were that simple.  I just want to wait till its right.  It’s important to me to be sure it’s something I’m ready for and it’s a deal breaker.” 
    Connor takes a deep breath and reaches across the table for my hand.  This is where the convincing starts.  But baby, I just want to show you how much you mean to me.  I promise it will only hurt for a second.  You’re making this a big deal.  It’s just sex.   But when Connor speaks, it’s nothing like what Ricky said. 
    “Nina, I’m not going to lie and say I don’t want you, because I do.  Desperately.  But, that kiss you gave me earlier, I could live off those kisses.   Actually, I’m sort of impressed.  Most girls these days are more eager than I am.  As long as you let me kiss you and hold you and call you mine, I can wait for the rest. You call the shots on this Nina.  Your rules, your pace.  I meant it when I said I was patient.  Especially when something is worth waiting for.” 
    It’s a good thing there’s a table between us, or else I might have forgotten all about my rule and thrown myself at him.  Either there are a lot of really stupid women in New York, or this is all an elaborate sch eme to get me on my back and he’s doing one hell of a job. 
    “The women in New York are idiots.”  Is my reply and my guess.  I hope I’m right.
    We move into the living room and Connor pulls me into him as the movie starts playing.   It’s the most comfortable I have ever been on my couch.  I try to keep my eyes open but Connor’s warmth and the rhythm of his heartbeat lulls me to sleep.  I wake up a while later to strong arms carrying me.  I snuggle closer to Connor’s warm chest and nuzzle his neck.
    “What time is it?”  I say softly, still half asleep. 
    “Late.  Go back to sleep Princess.”  Connor kisses my hair and sets me on my bed.
    The mattress is cold compared to him and I already miss his arms around me.  I glance at the clock on my night stand and notice it’s already three am.  Despite the time, I can sense that neither one of us is ready to leave the other after such an important day in our relationship.  I look back at Connor as he brushes my hair off my forehead and I lean into his touch. 
    “Night Princess.”  He says kissing me softly.  He seems reluctan t to break the kiss, but he does and then stands to walk out of the room.  I think about all the nights I have slept alone wishing that I had someone who could hold me through the night to keep my dreams at bay.  I was never able to have that before because the risk of letting someone that close was too great.  I have already gotten that close to Connor and I know that all I have to do is ask and he will give me whatever I need.  He is worth the risk.  I open my mouth and say one word.
    “Stay.”  Connor turns and looks at me, waiting. You call the shots . “Just stay the night with me.  I just want you hold me.