Chapter 23 :"I feel like falling asleep in your arms tonight."

"I have a business I'll be attending in the next couple of days..."Xander announced.

They were currently cuddling on the couch watching a romantic movie.

Zoey jolted off of his embrace suddenly."Already?"She asked,feeling a tight knot of disappointment kicking in.

Xander chuckled realizing the expression on her face."Well,I didn't say I was going alone now,did I?"

"Huh?" Zoey asked, muddled.

"I want you come with me."

"As much as I'd like to and how much of a nice offer it is,I can't accept the invitation." She said,staring down on her lap.

"Why is that?"

"I don't want to smother you or something."She replied, almost regretting why she said that.

But soon,Xander's hand moved her chin up and turned her smooth face into his direction.Their eyes locked and simultaneously, they shot each other warm shy smiles.

"Do you think I'd have asked you in the first place if I didn't want you around?" He asked, his eyes not leaving hers.

Reluctantly, she shook her head no.

"Good."Xander muttered, "And besides,it's been two hell of weeks being away from home.And by that,I mean from you." He said.

"Sweet." Zoey blushed, feeling goosebumps kicking in.

They went back to cuddling as they focusly watched the movie.

"You're still accompanying me to the funeral tomorrow?" He asked,caressing her long hair.

"Ofcourse," She breathed out,"unless you're having second thoughts about me tagging along." She said.

"I'm not having any second thoughts.I was just making sure that we're still on the same track." He replied.

"Worry less,I'll be by your side supporting you as you pay your respect and send your last goodbyes to your dearest friend, Sir."She gently comforted.

Xander chuckled."What would I do without you?Come on,let's go to bed,TOGETHER."He announced, placing a gentle kiss on her forehead.

"Together?"Zoey asked,surprised.

Xander stood up right in front of her."Yes together. What can I say...I feel like falling asleep in your arms tonight."He confessed, looking down at her.

"Then what will happen the time you don't 'feel' like sleeping in my arms?What then?" Zoey carefully inquired.

Xander took a moment just gazing down at the most innocent woman he had ever encountered in his life.So small, fragile and naive at certain times.

"Then you'll sleep alone." He finally said,expressionlessly.

Zoey gulped, the words hitting her hard to the core of her fragile heart.Not wanting to show how she truly felt, she just gave a simple light nod indicating comprehension.

"Shall we?"

She carefully looked at the firm big hand stretched out towards her to grab.Then,placing her small hand in it,she rose up from the couch.

Zoey's eyes fluttered open,gradually adjusting to the bright morning light.She took in her surrounding and her position. She realized they were in Xander's bedroom, with her head on his hard chest while his arms wrapped securely around her.She smiled to herself as she felt a different, sweet and hot feeling arousing in her as she spent the whole night in a man's arms.Not just any man,but one who managed to switch off her fear of being comely and intimately involved with men and made her feel things she never felt before.A man who she was slowly but surely falling deep in love with.

She remained silent and took a moment to listen to his heartbeat drumming pleasantly into her ears.Feeling his chest rise and fall with every steady breathing. To her...besides the ocean sounds,the chirping sounds of birds and the total sound a tranquil forest manages to produce,the sound of his heartbeat was one of the most beautiful sounds she had ever heard.For the sound of a heartbeat holds a stake of life of someone. It holds a purpose of every being.The purpose of being and continuing to stay alive with every beat it drums.

"Good morning."A deep voice greeted before a gentle kiss was planted on the top of her head.

She squinted up at him then shot him an angelic smile."Morning, you slept well?"

"Well seems to be an understatement, I slept heavenly." He answered, making Zoey to let out a little giggle."Yourself?"He asked.

"Glad you did,Mr.Vincenzo." She smirked,"I slept heavenly too."

He laughed a little."Glad you also did,Mrs.Vincenzo."

"You're starting," Zoey rolled her eyes,causing him to laugh even worse.

"I don't understand why you cannot comprehend the fact that you are ALREADY Mrs.Vincenzo for LIFE." He empathized.

"And I also don't understand why you cannot comprehend the fact that it was all a PRETENDING PHASE Mr.Vincenzo, for that time only." She emphasized back.

"Touchè." He smirked before rolling his fine eyes.

"Still,I don't care,"Xander growled out,"I take it personally rather than just a silly pretending phase."He said.

"Whatever,"Zoey rolled her eyes again."What time is it anyways?"

"Nine twenty-four." He shortly answered.

"And what time is the funeral again?"She asked,already forgot all about the details.

"Two.You sure you want to come?"

"Yes.Stop trying to keep me away because the time I will,you will hate the day you pushed me away,I'm telling you." She said with a little laugh.

Xander rolled his eyes."I'd be stupid to do that...besides, you're stuck with me till the end of time,remember?"He whispered seductively, cautiously biting her earlobe.

An unexpected moan escaped Zoey's mouth,feeling a sudden heat between her thighs. Clenching them tighter, she seemed to just have poured petrol over an uncontrollable wildfire.The heat got worse.

"Tightening them together does not cease the intense heat Princess, it only makes it worse."Xander's deep,husky voice purred into Zoey's ear.

"Come on,let's save this kind of a moment for later."He announced,"let's get up,I'll make you a scrumptious breakfast." He promised.

"You cook?" Zoey asked, rolling onto the soft mattress.

Xander gracefully rose out of the bed,revealing his half-sculpted bare body.

"Someone could definitely get used to waking up to this hey."

Xander gave out a nice laugh."Nice try,I'm not always in the mood remember?"He reminded, walking into his large closet.

Zoey sighed,"I forgot that Weather is your middle name,Alexander Junior Weather Vincenzo." She teased,laughing at how peculiarly genuine it sounded.