7 7. The Morning Sun

Kiara feel the warmth of sunlight touching her face. She opens her eyes slowly and notices something different. She didn't recognize the the interior. She wakes up and sits on the bed. "This is not my bed and the room is not mine" she thinks. She tries to remember what happened last night. She and Shawn went back to her hotel using Shawn's car. There was a terrible car accident on the way out from the Beach Hall gate. It caused a severe traffic jam and all the cars were forced to stop. Kiara was already feeling sleepy at that time. "I must be falling a sleep last night." She thinks. "Which means that this is probably...." Kiara gets down from the bed and walk to the door. She opens it and finds a kitchen and a living room. There is a sofa facing the window. Shawn is sleeping on it. He still wears the same shirt and pants from the event last night. It's only a two seat sofa, so he curled up his leg to fit in. Kiara approaches him quietly. Then she sits on the floor near his head. "He must feel very uncomfortable" Kiara thinks. She is so touched. She rubs his hair gently and kisses his cheek.

Shawn wakes up and slowly open his eyes. He sees Kiara and smiles. "Good morning love" he says. He touches her face with his hand. He wants to make sure that it isn't a dream. Kiara smiles back and touches his hand. "Good morning my knight. May I ask how did I end up sleeping in your castle?" Shawn gets up and sits on the sofa. "come and sit by my side" He says. Kiara sits beside him. Shawn holds her hand and ask her "Do you remember the traffic jam?" Kiara nods. "You told me to rest because it took so long and we can't even get out of the car. That was the last thing i remember. I must be falling asleep" she answers. "I'm glad you were. The traffic jam lasted almost 3 hours and the car just couldn't get through. I couldn't let you sleep in the car. It must be so uncomfortable for you. So I brought you here. I tried to wake you up. But you slept so peacefully that i hate to disturb you. I'm sorry. I didn't mean bad. I swear I didn't do anything that disrespect you. I just took off you shoes and laid you on the bed." Shawn explaines everything. Kiara touches his face. "I believe you. I'm sorry. Because of me, you trapped in the traffic, didn't have good rest and slept in the small sofa like this. I gave you so much trouble." She says. Shawn put his finger on her lips. "Not at all. I wanted to do it and I'm happy i can do all of these things for you" he says. He pulls Kiara to his body and embrace her tightly. "How can you be my trouble if you are my happiness" he says it lovingly. Kiara is speechless. She rest her head on his chest and feels the warmth of his embrace wrapping up her body.

"Shawn.." Kiara says. "Yes love.." Shawn answers. "Where are we exactly?" She asks. "The Marina Cottage" He says. "I thought you said you're not staying at hotel. You prefered to go home." Kiara says. "I did. This room was rented for 2 nights by the committee for Mr. Brooks. He is one of our seniors who gave a very large donations to support the reunion. But he could only come at the morning event because he had to go abroad. He didn't even use this room. I was his contact person so he gave me the key before he go and tell me that i can use it for myself." Shawn explains. "Now I'm glad he did. Otherwise we would be sleeping in my car till morning" he says. "You are so lucky" she says. Shawn lifts her chin and says "I am so lucky to have you in my life" He says. Kiara looks at him. "And I feel the same about you, Shawn" She says. Shawn smiles. He embraces her tighly. "Oh Ki, you are so sweet" He replies. Then he kisses her in the forehead. Kiara closes her eyes. Shawn makes her feels so loved. And it just makes her loves him more.

"You are so beautiful, Ki. Even in your sleep." Shawn says. "Really?"Kiara asks. "Yes you are. You look so peaceful in your sleep. Even when you were sleeping in the car." He says. "Maybe because i was tired. And... I have my knight by my side. So I have nothing to worry about" she says. Shawn kisses her forehead once more. "You do that again" he says. "What do i do?Kiara asks. "You make me feel like a hero or something great." He says. "You are my hero Shawn." Kiara says. Shawn smiles. "And you my sweet lady, my princess" he says. Then he kisses her hand. Kiara smiles happily. "By the way how did you move me from your car to bed?" Kiara asks. "I held you in my arms, princess" He says. "Am I heavy?" She asks again. "Hmm, let me think about it..." Shawn stops a moment. "I don't know. I don't remember " he says teasing her. Kiara pinches his stomach. "Awh!" Shawn says and rubs his stomach. He looks at her. Then he grins and says "I see. why don't we give it a try then!" He quickly puts his left hand around Kiara's body, his right arm on the back of her knees and lifted her up. "Shawn!" Kiara is surprised. She automatically wraps her hands around his neck. Shawn laughs happily. Kiara feels so shy. She hides her face in his chest. Shawn carries her and walks a few steps like it's no trouble at all. "You are as light as feather, princess" He says. Kiara smile shyly. "Ok Shawn. Now can you please put me down?" She asks. He gently lower his right arm so Kiara's feet can step on the floor and stands. There barely a space between their bodies now. Shawn leans his face forward and rubs his nose gently on hers. Kiara's heart is racing fast. Shawn rest his hands on the side of her face. His eyes is fixed on her lips as his face is getting closer. And He kiss her passionately. Kiara feels as if her heart stops beating for a moment. Her hands grasps his shirt on his back tightly. Every touch of their lips is just making them wanting more. It is like their bodies refuse to break to he kiss until they are breathless...

Their heads lean on each other now. Kiara is catching her breath. Slowly she opens her eyes. Shawn is looking at her so deep. Her face begins to feels hot and her heart is melting away. So she turns around and tries to walk away. Shawn quickly catches her by putting his arms around her waist. He leans his head on her shoulder. "Don't go to fast" he says. Kiara smiles and holds his arms. "I'm not going anywhere, Shawn." She says. "But don't you think we have to let the sunshine in?" Shawn steal a kiss on her cheek and loosen his arms. "Ok then" He says. He lets Kiara opens the curtains. There is a big window with glass doors leading to the deck and a kind of private beach. "Shawn, it's so wonderful!" She says. She opens the doors and goes to the deck. She continues to walk until she reach the railing. She leans against it and smells the fragrance of the sea. The wind is blowing her hair. Shawn watches her from behind and smiles. "Thank you Mr. Brooks. I owe you one" he whisper. Shawn walks outside until he reaches her. He holds her waist from behind and look in to the sea. "You are right. This is truly wonderful" he says. He learns how much Kiara likes the sea. She leans on him and talks about her childhood where she used to live close to the beach. Shawn listens to her eagerly. He really enjoys spending time with her. Suddenly he feels like someone is watching. He turns his head to the right. And on the deck of a nearby cottage, he sees Adrian.

Kiara notices that Shawn is waving to someone. She looks to its direction and feels shocked. "Look Ki. Apparently Adrian is our neighbour" Shawn says. Adrian is not waving back. He just stares at them. "Maybe he doesn't see us clearly" Shawn says. Kiara can't say a word. She feels awkward now. "Why does Adrian look angry? It must be just my feelings." She think. Then she realizes that Shawn's hands is till on her waist hugging her. She tries to move her body but Shawn refuses to let go. Adrian looks away and go inside his cottage. "Shawn, he saw us." Kiara says. She manages to turn around facing him. "I don't care even if the world see us. That's great. They will know you are mine and i am yours. We are not available anymore" Shawn says it with his finger touching the tip of Kiara's nose. Kiara smiles a little. "It's not that. He will think that we spent the night together." She says. "We did. Didn't we?" Shawn is teasing her again. "But we weren't sleeping together. And he may think we did. We are still wearing our clothes from last night" Kiara replies. Shawn laughs. "I know..I know. Don't worry I'll explain to him. He'll understand." He says while rubbing her arms. "Let's take a shower now, shall we? After that we'll go and have breakfast. I'm starving." Shawn says. Kiara nods. They walk back into the cottage.

Kiara has just finished her shower. She has no choice but to wear her dress back. She van only change after she goes back to her hotel. She walks out from her room and tries to find Shawn. But she doesn't see him anywhere. She looks outside and finds that his car is also gone. So she goes back inside. She drinks a glass of water and waits on the sofa. Shawn still has not come back. She takes out her cellphone from her bag. She is just about to call him. Then she hears the sound of a car stops. Shawn opens the front door and brings in a big box. "Hi georgeous. Look what i got for you!" he says cheerfully. Kiara doesn't answer. Shawn looks at her and understands. He puts the box on the table. Then he walks to the sofa. He sits beside her and hold her hand. "Where have you been, Shawn?" Kiara asks. "I'm sorry Ki. I went out to buy something. I thought it will just takes a few minutes and i'll be back before you know it. But i was wrong" He apologizes. "Next time just tell me or leave a note or something, will you?" she says. Shawn smiles. "I will princess. I promise" he says. "Now will you please come with me? he asks. He holds her hand and take her to see the box on the table. "What is this?" Kiara asks. "It's a surprise for you. But you must open it in the bedroom." Shawn says. "Shawn you don't have to..." she replies. "Just open it and tell me what you think" he insists.

Kiara brings the big box to the bedroom and puts it on the bed. There is a card on top of it. She reads it.

"For my beach girl,

Please try them on...."

PS: Don't ask. I just know.

-Shawn-

Kiara opens the box and finds a complete outfit. The undergarments and a pink rainbow butterfly midi dress. "So this is why he wanted to shower first" she thinks. She tries them on and surprisingly they fit her nicely. She didn't bring any of her make up kit accept a BB powder and a lip gloss. So she makes it work. Her hair is still wet. Thankfully there is a hair dryer in the bathroom. After everything is done, she looks at her image in the mirror and she likes it very much. She opens the bedroom door and steps out. She stands near the dining table. Shawn is standing near the window looking at the sea. He wears a white shirt with the sleeves folded up to his elbows and a dark blue jeans. His masculine figure is highlighted by the sunlight. "Shawn...." she calls him. Shawn turns around. His eyes are fixed on her. "Ki...." that is all he can say. He looks at her from head to toe. "Is there something wrong?" Kiara asks as she looks at her figure. "No. Not at all" Shawn says. He looks so happy. He walks closer to her and hold her hands. "You are truly beautiful my lady" he says. Kiara smiles shyly. "You are the one who picks the outfit for me" she says. "Do you like it?" he asks. "I like it very much. It fits me well" she says. "I can see that... i mean...i'm glad it does." he says. "Where did you buy these?" She asks. "Oh, I just couldn't let you wear the same dress you wear lastnight. I thought it'll be uncomfortable for you. Then i remember, two days ago I saw this dress at the beach mall. So I went there and buy it." He answers. "And how did you know my size?" she asks suspiciously. "Oh that. The owner of the boutique asked me if one of the her shopkeepers had similiar figure. I found one and then the owner chose everything for me." Shawn explains. "I see.." Kiara says. "It's true. I didn't do anything inapropriate. I promise." Shawn replies. Kiara doesn't say anything. She looks deep into his eyes. "You don't believe me? Shawn says. "I can take you to the boutique to meet the owner. Then she can expl..." Kiara's tender lips is pressed up against his and his voice is gone. Clearly he didn't expect that. Then she takes a step back. "I believe you" she says while looking at his eyes. Shawn pull her back into his arms. He covers her mouth with his in a hungry kiss. As their lips crush together, Kiara feels like she is walking on air. It is magic, the way his lips connect with hers. His mouth is so warm, the caress of his lips is softer than she could have imagined. His hand rests below her ear, his thumb are caressing her cheek as their breaths mingle. She runs her fingers down his spine, pulling him closer until there is no space left between them and she can feel the beating of his heart against her chest.

After a moment they kiss begins to break slowly. Kiara is still trying to regulate her breathing. She opens her eyes and finds Shawn is looking at her affectionately. "What is bigger then love?" he asks. "I don't know. Why?" She replies. Shawn strokes her hair gently "Because saying "I love you" is not enough to express how i feel about you" he says. Kiara is speechless. Shawn smiles. "Ehmm, i'm starving now. Shall we go for breakfast?" she says and grab her bag on the table. "Not so fast" he says while holding her hand. "You still don't tell me how you feel." She is too embarrased to say it. "You know how I feel. I've said it once." She says. "Remind me then" he insists. "Shawn..." she begs him to understand. Shawn looks at her. He gives up. "Alright. Everytime you look at me like that, i just can't say no." He replies. He looks down a little. Kiara feels bad. "Let's get breakfast then!" he says. They walk to the front door and he stops. "You go out first princess, I'll just grab my bag" he says. Kiara opens the door and step outside. She holds the door from outside and look at Shawn. He was just putting his bag on his shoulder. "Shawn?" she says. "Yes?" He replies. "I Love You too" she says the words and let the door closed. "Wait!" he says. He rushes to the door. "Kiara!" he calls her while opens it. And there she is, standing in front of him. Shawn gently touch her cheek and smile "I know you do..."

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