This Love

30

"Callie..." I hear a voice say the next morning, I keep my eyes closed stubbornly. Dan's deep laugh makes me smile, I feel him pull me close before kisses are placed on my skin. "Gotta wake up gorgeous, don't want to lose any time that I have left with you" he tells me, "but it's so warm and cozy here" I reply while rotating my body to face the Australian my eyes finally opening. "Ah there she is" I smile while his hand comes up to my cheek his thumb ghosting over my lips, "you doing okay Cal?" I press a kiss to his thumb, "I'm great, you?" He grins while pulling me closer, "I got to wake up next to my spectacular girlfriend who I happen to love very much so I'm doing amazing" I smile placing my head on his chest.

The two of us eventually get out of bed, I wrap myself in the bed sheet as I walk over to my bag to get some clothes before going to the bathroom where I change. I gather up the sheet when I'm done and walk back into the room, "you didn't need to do that Cal, I've seen everything already" I blush thinking about last night as I look over at Dan. I drop the sheet and shrug looking down at my feet shyly, "it's an automatic thing" I say as my hair falls into my face. Hands come to my waist a finger tilting my head upwards, I look into Dan's dark eyes, "around me you don't have to be shy about your body okay?" I nod and bring a hand up to move my hair behind my ear, he kisses me briefly taking my hands in the process. "Let's get out of here gorgeous, I want to go explore" I smile as he backs us out of the hotel room, "wait my phone" I exclaim stopping, he pats his pocket, "got it" I open my mouth to ask about the room key but he holds it up before I can say anything. I roll my eyes at how predictable I feel around Dan he laughs as we wait for the elevator.

——

"Nope not happening" Dan pouts at me as we stand next to a rent a bike station a few hours later. "Why not Cal?" I shake my head not wanting to give him my reason, knowing that I'll seem very lame in his eyes. The Australian moves in front of me placing his hands on either side of my face, he looks into my eyes his thumbs stroking my skin. I feel myself turning into putty in his hands, "fine okay, I don't know how to ride a bike" I tell him before pouting, "wait what?" he asks shocked, "I tried to learn as a kid but the unsteady wobbling freaked me out so I never got onto a bike after that" I explain looking down as I trace the pavement with my foot.

"That's a deal breaker gorgeous can't stay with you now" my head snaps up my eyes wide in worry, "no...don't..." I say quietly, I see the mischievous glint in his eyes immediately knowing that he's not serious, I huff stepping away from him as he chuckles, "don't say things like that Dan, I was seriously worried you were gonna end it" he grins and reaches towards me, "I'm sorry Cal, I couldn't help it" I roll my eyes at him, "yeah whatever" I mumble as he brings me into a hug, my arms automatically go around him and he kisses my temple, "love you even if you can't ride a bike" I sigh, "love you Danny".

When he pulls away from the hug he still goes to the bikes confusing me. "What are you..." I watch him grab two bikes and I shake my head backing away slightly, "no way" I finish, "aw come on Cal, I want to teach you" my gaze goes to the bike he's holding, "I don't have a helmet, I can't" he sighs. "Do you trust me?" I look up at him, his comforting brown eyes watching me, "of course I trust you" he walks one bike over to me, the other one with its kickstand holding it up, "I won't let anything happen to you Callie" he reassures me. I open my mouth to object further but I hold back my words realizing that I have no doubts when it comes to his statement. Dan smiles at me so I gently press a kiss to his cheek, "lets do this before I change my mind" I mumble his smile widens as he uses his free arm to position me next to the bike.

"Danny look at me" I squeal as I finally get moving at a decent speed on my bike, "I'm watching gorgeous, you're a natural" I laugh, "I wouldn't say that". The Australian has mounted his bike and is cycling next to me, I don't risk looking his way not wanting to lose my forward momentum. "Okay Cal lets take a left up there, get you turning a bit" I see where he wants us to turn so I bite my lip in determination slowing at the approach, as I turn the corner my bike tilts a bit too far so I touch down on the ground with my foot bringing me to a clumsy stop. I sigh lifting my leg over the bike before walking it out of the way, Dan joins me second later, "okay so turning needs some practice but you're doing so well" I look up at him with a slight smile, "I had a pretty great teacher" he grins and my smile grows, "lets go grab some food we deserve it" I nod and the two of us walk our bikes to another rental station to return them before eating. When we've done that Dan pulls me in front of him, I tilt my head up with a smile, "I'm so proud of you Callie, facing your fears like that" I shrug, "couldn't have done it without you" he pulls me closer and lowers his head to kiss me, my hand slides up to the nape of his neck as his hand stays splayed on my lower back, Dan pulls away seconds later kissing my nose gently, I giggle and he moves his hand to mine interlacing our fingers before we make our way down the sidewalk to find somewhere to eat.