I had to start at the prologue to get caught up, but I must say, this is a wonderful story you're writing. It's true that your writing style is as you say, meandering and not quiet a cohesive thought all the time, but I personally like that. It makes me feel like I'm really inside Pepper's mind. I would think that as she explores her affection for him, her thoughts wouldn't be a perfect continuous thought.

I look forward to the next chapter. :)