After Tonight

I murmured a response to his playful nibbling on my neck. I loved it when he let his lips wander. They went lower and lower, until I couldn’t take it anymore.
“Take me now.” It was more of an order than anything else, but I couldn’t help it; he had this effect on me. Rob happily obliged, hitching my legs around his waist. Screw early bird shopping specials.
…

Rob’s P.O.V.
“Where did you find food?” I asked, laughing as I walked into the kitchen trying to dry my hair with a towel.
“I did some hunting while you were in the shower.” Abbey replied, turning over to the eggs she was frying. “You don't have much, but there were a few eggs.” Toast popped up from the toaster behind me. “And some bread.”
After we ate, Abbey began to clean up. “No, no!” I said, a piece of toast wobbling in my mouth. “I’ve got it, go ahead and shower.” She rolled her eyes smiling and disappeared into the bathroom.
As I watched her walk away, her hair bouncing and her hips swinging, I smiled. It had been a quick fall, but I was positively, completely in love with her.
Nearly all of my relationships had been mutilated by the press. When Abbey and I started seeing one another, I worked so hard to keep her separate from that part of my life so we would have at least a chance. My blowout the other night was just that.
I heard light footsteps padding across the wooden floor. Looking up, I saw Abbey wrapped in one of my old bath towels. Mental note: get new bath towels—I suddenly felt self conscious about my flat. As she picked up her jeans from the floor, she simultaneously tried stop her hair from dripping and keep herself covered up. As a result, her jeans hit the floor and her towel slipped. She flushed pink and hurried to pick it up, thinking I hadn’t seen. I chuckled and shook my head.
“Have you seen my bra?” she asked, finally accomplishing her task. Her jeans were slung over her slender arm and she combed her hair out with her fingers. I smirked, going over to the couch to help her look.
“Is it purple?”
“Well it had better be,” she marched over snatching it from my grasp. “Or you’re in trouble.”
As she walked back into my bedroom, I grabbed her arm and pulled her against my chest. A slight giggle left her perfect lips and she looked up at me. Was it too soon to tell her how I was feeling? She pressed a kiss to my neck before sauntering back to my bedroom, glancing back at me as she closed the door. I sighed loudly and looked at my packed suitcase sitting by the door. Why couldn’t I just steal her for a week or two?
…
“Making off with my clothes, are we?” I smiled as I saw Abbey walk out of my room wearing a black t-shirt.
“It’s my favorite.” she admitted, blushing slightly and fingering the hem of the shirt. This girl blushed so easily; I absolutely adored it. “What time does your flight leave?”
This is the part I’d been dreading all morning; getting onto a plane and leaving for two weeks. What if we couldn’t make it through the two weeks? I wasn’t planning on being unfaithful, and I had no doubt that Abbey felt the same, but things change. I’d been through this same routine too many times before.
“In a few hours.” I muttered. “I’ve got to be at the airport soon though.” As if I had just said the world would implode in .5 seconds, Abbey’s lips collided with mine. Her fingers threaded through my hair as she kissed with furious hunger. I slid my hands around her waist, pulling her up onto the counter top.
“I don’t want you to go.” she murmured, moving her hands to my face, tracing my jaw line.
“Come with me.” I whispered, kissing her hair and taking her into my arms. She laughed against my chest.
“I can’t go away for two weeks on a whim, Rob.”
“Please.” I begged slightly, kissing her again. She sighed and turned away.
“I have a job.”
“And I don’t?” I challenged. Here we go again with flying off the handle. I sighed and wrapped my arms around her, resting my chin on her shoulder. “Sorry.”
“You have no idea how badly I would love to come with you. But I’ve got to work. Gracie just comes in when she needs money, which has been a lot lately I know, but she’s got that internship. And Keith has his real job. So Jo's only got me if something happens--those kids from NYU can't do shit.”
“I know. I know.” I muttered, kissing her forehead. “Can’t hurt a bloke to try can it?” Her warm eyes locked with mine.
“How long do we have?” she asked, grinning slyly as she nodded her head toward the bedroom.
…
“So you’ll call me when you land, right?” Abbey asked anxiously as we stood on the front steps of my flat. “I don’t care what time it is, just promise you’ll call.” Abbey had an irrational fear of flying.
“Of course, love.” I promised, hushing her with a kiss. “I promise to call the minute we touch ground.” I couldn’t help but laugh as she paced around, wringing her hands—she was just as terrified of me getting on a plane as she was herself.
The goodbye was sweet, and as much as I hated to admit it, painful. I hadn’t gotten serious with a woman this quickly before. I glanced back to see Abbey on the sidewalk, watching as the cab drove away. When she saw me, she waved slightly and I waved back. Two weeks just might be two weeks too long.

Abbey’s P.O.V.
Winter weather finally started to stick. I couldn’t go anywhere in the city without thinking about how much Rob would enjoy it. Christmas music had begun to ring from store speakers, as well as the bakery. By December 1st, I was singing Frank Sinatra Christmas carols in my sleep.
Rob called faithfully whenever he thought he wouldn’t be keeping me from sleep. I missed him terribly, but from what I could tell he was ecstatic about being back home. One of his sisters had talked to me on one occasion, asking me about our sex life. I just laughed awkwardly and until Rob shouted at her to give him the phone.
Despite the fact we’d only been seeing each other for a month, it was weird without Rob. But come to find, I had so much free time with him gone; free time I wasn’t sure how to fill anymore. I got my Christmas shopping done in a hurry and logged overtime at the bakery—I’d definitely gotten on Jo’s good side with that one.
…
It was another day at the bakery, my apron and arms covered in fine, white flour. The December weather had hit the city hard and in response, we had to bring in an extra floor heater for the bakery. Ice made delicate patterns across the windows, as well as took up the entire walk in front of the bakery.
Rob was due back soon and I was...well, to be honest, I was nervous. My stomach had tied itself in knots the day before and I felt sick to my stomach. Rob extended his trip another week—apparently some family was visiting—and I couldn’t help but to be a little worried about where the two of us stood. The phone calls decreased with each day, at first because of busy schedules and then gradually because of what seemed to be a lack of interest. If we couldn’t keep it together when we were apart, this relationship didn’t have a shot in hell.
My mind was in a frenzy but I had to focus on the task at hand—one hundred red and green confetti cupcakes for a staff Christmas party at the bank two blocks down, complete with holiday garnish on each one.
An hour later the frosting was dyed and whipped, the batter was poured, and all I had to do was wait. Jo dropped a sheet of paper on the counter—another party order, a pretty big one too. I sighed and turned to the stove, elbows flexed as I leaned on the counter. I bounced up and down slightly, jittery in anticipation.
“Miss me?” someone rumbled behind me from the doorway. My heart stopped for a brief second and I closed my eyes, taking in the sweet air that surrounded me. Instead of knots, my stomach filled with butterflies.
“You have no idea.” I breathed. My arms closed around his neck and just before we kissed, he whispered my name with his signature smile.