The Stars | Aaron Hotchner

Chapter 16: Of Earth

Now that you were on a real date, this next step in your relationship with Aaron allowed you to unabashedly admire him. He had opened your door for you and did a little bow after you got in, shutting the door and heading to his own seat. Your gaze was trained on him the entire time, watching as he started the car and put his arm on your seat as he looked backward to reverse.

His confidence was alluring, especially as he pulled out smoothly from parallel parking. Your eyes dropped to his neck, and the light strain of his muscles made his veins pop out in the most ravishing way. Your immediate thought was to bite him, and mark every inch of his skin because you finally had him. Metaphorically speaking, of course.

"What?" He noticed your staring, and instead of averting his gaze, you met it.

"I just," you sighed as you racked your brain for the perfect description, "I really, really like you. Your soul, your heart, your mind, and..." You checked him out with exaggerated motions, "You don't look so bad either."

He chuckled as you grinned, turning his attention to the street before him, "Gee, thanks. You, on the other hand, look stunning tonight. Even more so than usual."

Your smile widened, and you tucked a piece of hair behind your ear. "Thanks, Hotchner. You're too kind," You ducked your head as you blushed, still not used to compliments. It made you miss the sad smile he turned to you, as he wondered why you were insecure.

At the same time, you noticed an auxiliary cable tucked neatly in the space between the cupholders. As a late night talk show host was your current entertainment, you asked to connect your phone and he confirmed it was alright.

After plugging in your phone to the car, you scrolled through your music library until you reached the playlist you had made specifically of Aaron's recommendations of music for you. The first song was the Beatles' Ob-la-di, Ob-la-da, and you looked at Aaron excitedly to see him smiling as he dipped his head to the beat. You were content that you picked a good playlist and enjoyed the quiet between the two of you as the songs played on, occasionally singing along.

You still had no idea where you were going, and you wondered if Aaron wasn't telling you as payback for the time you took him ice skating. It was a little past 5 PM when he picked you up, and as he drove into the city, your surroundings were saturated in golden hues. Aaron looked positively ethereal.

About four songs in, you noticed his hand twitching as his arm rested on the center console. You made sure not to draw attention to it as you discreetly watched his fingers, curious as to what he was going to do.

The next song finished before he finally made a move, shifting his arm so his hand hovered above your leg. His eyes darted to you a couple times, unsure if his advance was welcome. Instead of waiting for him to figure you out, you laid your hand on top of his and pressed it to your thigh, slotting your fingers between his.

He looked to you, bewildered at the sudden action, but saw the sparkle in your gaze and slowly returned your smile. He gave your leg a gentle squeeze before returning his attention to the traffic, navigating with ease.

You tried to ignore the tingles radiating from his touch, paths of sparks spreading throughout your body and threatening to make your smile grow even wider.

When you arrived, you saw that Aaron brought you to a small Italian bistro. He was greeted by a woman who seemed to be the owner and you were surprised to hear him respond in Italian. You were impressed by his duality in language and smiled at the older woman as she gestured to a table for two, decorated with a single red rose and candles.

You thanked her as she left for the kitchen and instinctively pulled out the chair for Aaron, gesturing for him to sit as you did with all of your girl friends. The gentle smile he wore immediately dropped as his brow raised in confusion, but he took the offered seat and mumbled a thanks. You proceeded to your seat, oblivious to the existential crisis your date was having at your chivalrous action.