just follow your instinct

Though reluctant to put an end to his time with Shaye the morning would come if he wished it or not. Rhyme left the dream world feeling conflicted, but he’d realized more than one certainty that night. Samara was still wrapped up in his arms and the light of day was hardly recognizable through the clouds that filled the sky. Snow would find them even here, he was sure of it. The cold permeated everything, but the den he shared with Samara was warm and cozy.

Rhyme felt his age, aches in his joints that the cold brought on. He was comfortable here, his whole body surrounding the tiny Klein woman. He sighed softly and blinked his eyes open without moving. She hadn’t stirred quite yet and he didn’t wish to wake her. He felt tears well up in his eyes as he urged himself to release his guilt and embrace Rara fully. In more ways than how he held her now.

”I love you, Samara.” He whispered softly, testing the words cautiously. He didn’t want to hesitate anymore, but diving in was so hard. Rhyme pushed himself, life was short and he’d already wasted enough of his. He squeezed her lightly, unwilling to put too much pressure on her wakefulness. He nuzzled into her neck gently, content to lay there with her and ignore his responsibilities for a while. He wanted to be with her because he enjoyed her presence and not because she was his anchor to reality. He wanted to be in the moment with her.