Buck rolled over and looked into the most beautiful beaming gaze he had ever met. It was almost six in the afternoon and the dance would start in an hour, but they were still in bed. Cami smiled at his tired face and pressed her body close to his under the warm sheets.

"Welcome back," she giggled; he had been practically unconscious all afternoon.

"When did you wake up?" he asked back and wiped at his tired eyes.

"'Bout an hour ago. I didn't have the heart to wake you," she said and lifted a finger from the pillow to stroke his nose. The sensation it created was very sensual and Buck found himself lost in physical pleasure for a minute. When he managed to snap himself back he pulled his face nearer her and started raining kisses on her face and neck. She giggled at his touch and caressed his chest under the sheets. Buck took a deep breath and shook his head while counting his blessings, looking into her eyes again.

"I love you," he stated and didn't realize what he had said because it felt so natural.

Cami's chin dropped and she sat up on her elbow and stared at him in disbelief.

"What?" she whispered and Buck bit his lip.

"I. well, you. you know. uh. I just. um. well, guys just. something. we just say. uh." Buck sighed frustrated and sought the right justifying words; his mind seemed empty.

Cami still stared at him when she spoke. "You love me?" her voice was barely even a whisper.

Buck nodded carefully and watched the expression in her eyes change. They practically glowed. "Yes," he admitted calmly and kept his eyes trained on her face. "Yes, I love you." His lips moved to met hers and she melted. Her head swam and she stopped breathing for several moments. How can this man keep doing this to me?

"I." she began and looked up, meeting his dark gaze with a careful smile. "I love you too.!" Buck's eyes lit up for a second, then the light was gone.

His face looked fallen and sad. "What's wrong?" Cami dared not breathe.

"I wish I could believe you," he whispered and stared at where his hand caressed her shoulder, being suddenly afraid to meet her eyes.

"What do you mean?"

"It's just." He couldn't finish it at first, he had to take another moment to think. "No one's ever said that to me before."

Cami's heart sank and her chest felt suddenly very small. "Oh, honey." she whispered and hugged him hard, holding him in a warm embrace. "Not even your mother?"

Buck bore his face in her hair, resting his head on her shoulder next to her hot skin. "Not that I remember. But I was just a kid when she died."

Cami squeezed him hard with her slim arms, kissing his neck. "But I love you, and count on hearing it often!" she promised.

Buck looked up again and finally smiled faintly. There were tears in his eyes. "You're really amazing, you know that?"

Cami nodded. "Uh huh!"

"Thank you. For everything," Buck spoke calmly, taking in her beauty with his glazed eyes. "I love you, I mean that."

"I know," Cami smiled back. "And I love you."