He laughed with her at her answers. ''Soon'' he repeated. He lay back down on the bed after finishing his cup of ale and setting the cup on the table.
He put his arms behind his head and just lay there enjoying the company and the moment, willing it to never end.

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She lay next to him, looking at the ceiling. Her mind was on the memories they had shared, the time they had spent together, and the future they would spend together. Her head turned and she watched the profile of his face. Truly, madly, and deeply. That's how she loved him. She closed her eyes and turned her head back again.

He was growing tired, the excitement and activity of the day finally getting to him. He reached and placed his hand over her belly, it comforted him to know that she was close and safe.
His eyelids started to close and sleep finally took him.

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She smiled as his hand lay on her belly. She looked at him and realized he was asleep. "Sleep well, my dearest love." she whispered and set her hand atop his. She enjoyed the sounds of his soft breathing, and she loved how relaxed and peaceful he looked while he slept. He needed it, she knew. She kept watch over him as he slept, her eyes never wavering from his face and sleeping form.

Some hours later Niko began to stir. He felt a warm touch on his hand and slowly opened his eyes to find Nienna looking back at him, her hand covering his.
'' Have you been looking over me since I slept?''
He shifted slightly so he was facing her and still left his hand under hers, enjoying her touch as he always did.

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She nodded. "I enjoy watching you sleep." her fingers moved over his hand in a light caress. "You only snored three times!" she grinned at him, "are you hungry, dear? I have some bread and fruit in a basket on the table." the table on the far side of the room did hold a basket loaded with food. "I brought it up when I brought the ale. I just figured you would want ale first."

At her words he felt better. It was comforting to know she was there, like she had been, like she always would be.
He felt the urge to get even closer to her. He moved his hand from her belly, instead laying his head there. He felt safer with her, more so than he had with anyone.
''No, love I am content. and I will have you know I do not snore''

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She cradled his head, shaking with laughter "You do too! You snored three times! I counted!" her eyes were twinkling, and she caressed his hair. His closeness was causing her pulse to quicken, as it always did. She breathed in the scent of him deeply. It would always bring her comfort, but more so did his presence. Strong and able, gentle and loving.

''Perhaps you need to relearn how to count'' he scoffed.
He could faintly hear her beating heart, a sound he could not get enough of. He turned his head slightly and kissed her side, he could never show her the true extent of how much he loved her.
''I would do anything for you. I need you'' his voice barely a whisper.

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"My counting is just fine." she countered back at him. Then she melted as he kissed her side, his words filling her heart. "As I need you, Niko. You are my life, my world. Without you I would be lost." she murmured. She knew it was true. Every fiber of her being loved him like she had never, and could never, love any other.

He looked out the window.
''Daylight is still some time off''
He gave her a grin as he began to kiss her tenderly, starting from her belly, slowly up to her chest, around her neck and finally reaching her lips.
This, I can get used to

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She moaned softly as his lips made a burning trail up to her lips. She responded and pressed herself to him, her hands clutching in his hair. By the gods, she thought, he could make her go insane so easily. She nibbled his lower lip gently. She loved him, she loved his touch, she loved his responses. Everything about him she was addicted to.

He broke the kiss and began to caress her cheek slowly.
Grinning at her, he took her hands and pinned them to the bed as he began to kiss and lick her neck from top to bottom, making sure not to miss a spot.
He then buried his face in her chest, doing the same as he had done to her neck. He was enjoying this, elated.

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She gasped and moaned. Her back arched, and her eyes closed at the euphoria of his touch. All sensible thoughts had fled, leaving her with the sensations of his kisses. She moaned his name, unable to move her hands. She was completely his willing captive. Completely his. And she enjoyed every minute of it.

His lips once again moved their way up to meet hers,it was clear she was enjoying herself, as he was. It was only her who could make him feel such things.
He released her hands and quickly threw off his shirt and pulled her on top of him reveling in her touch.

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Her lips found his collar bone, then traveled down and across the expanse of his chest. She could hear his heart beat. Her tongue dipped into the little hollow below his neck, and her teeth nibbled the side of his neck. Her hands stroked his sides, and over his shoulders. Her tongue and lips traced a line from his neck to his belly and back up again. Her lips then fell on his as she grasped his sides a bit tighter. All this was new. And all of it was wonderful.