Chapter 86: Chapter 86: Afterglow

They lay together in front of the fire, his arms around her, her head resting on his shoulder.  She stroked his chest hair absently as he gently kissed her forehead.

“Well Cowboy, that was…unexpected,” she drawled.

He smiled at the accent.  “Should I apologize?” he asked quietly.

“Of course not,” she replied.  Bella lifted her head and looked at him.  “I wanted that as much as you did, you know,” she whispered.  He leaned down and kissed her lips softly.

“So,” she began hesitantly, “tell me about ‘Cowboy.'”

Luke chuckled softly.  “It’s not such an exciting story,” he answered.  “On my first day of basic training, my Company Commander found out I was from Florida, and for some reason he started calling me Cowboy.  I have no idea why.  Maybe because there wasn’t anyone from Texas.  Anyway, since then it’s sort of how I think of my inner voice.”  He looked at her trying to gauge her thoughts.