Running from love? (On hold indefinitely)

Chapter 16

Melanie POV

"Darren?"

Darren is standing next to a blanket encircled by several flickering candles. The floor is all covered with petals, and Darren is holding a single red rose just below his face with a sheepish smile, and a slight blush appearing on his cheeks. His brown hair is ruffled like he's been brushing his hand through it constantly, and his dark green eyes glisten in the candle light. In all, he's never looked cuter.

I stand there in silence, staring at Darren unblinkingly in disbelief. What's he doing? I got to open my mouth, then close it realising I have no idea what to say. The silence in the air is tense, and I struggle for something to do or say. Before my internal debate reaches breaking point, I see Darren walks in a slow pace towards me.

He walks right up to me, and presents me with the flower. I take the rose into my hands and lift it to my nose. I inhale the sweet fragrance, the scent instantly relaxing me. I look up, my eyes filled with gratitude. Slowly, I lean up to Darren a kiss him softly on the cheek.

He then leans down towards me whilst closing his eyes, placing his forehead tenderly against mine. He lets out a sigh with a slight sound of content as if he's been in pain, and it's suddenly all been lifted. I close my eyes and let out the breath I didn't realise I was holding in.

We stay in this position, both of us with ours eyes closed content with where we are. After what felt like hours but was probably only a few minutes, Darren moves his hand under my chin lifting my face up towards him. He leans down and softly kisses me on the lips. I think a spark in between us which fills me with joy even if it was only for a second.

Eager to feel like that again, I slide my hands up his chest, linking them together behind his neck. Still with my eyes closed, I reach up and kiss him on the lips. Immediately, I feel his lips moving against mine. I feel something warm trailing along my lower lip, realising it's Darren's tongue. I open my mouth to him, and his tongue starts to gently explore the inside of my mouth.

As we continue to kiss, I relax fully against Darren's body, feeling one of his hands on the small of my back whilst the other is placed against my neck, making me feel secure in his embrace.

Simultaneously, we both break away from each other to catch our breath. I open my eyes, and look up to see him staring down at me with..... adoration and love in his eyes. We just stand there, gazing into each other eyes, answering each other’s unanswered question.

Amongst the love in his eyes, I see a glint of nervousness appear. He opens his mouth and says the most wonderful but simple thing anyone has ever said to me my entire life, which I know he’ll remain saying throughout the many years. He said

"I love you Melanie Peters, so so much. Never leave me. Please."

My mind mentally starts screaming *yayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy*.

I suddenly realise….. Screw my Father! He can do whatever he wants to me, but he’ll never win. Not with me having Darren by my side. We can beat this.

Caught up in my epiphany, I look up to realise I’m still in Darren’s arms, with Darren looking down at me with a face full of love and nervousness. I open my mouth to say the one thing that will permanently cement my decision. I reply

“Darren. I love you too. Stay with me.”

His face lights up, his eyes now sparkling with love and happiness, all aimed towards me. He leans down once more to softly kiss me lightly on the lips. He raises his hand, pushing my hair away from my eyes before placing both his hands on my cheeks, cupping my face. With my arms still wrapped around his neck, I lean up and his leans down and we meet to kiss in the middle.

The sweetness of the kiss stuns me. It starts of gentle, our lips gentle nudging each other until something suddenly changes.

We both start putting more force into the kiss, battling against each other. Darren licks my bottom lip, and I open my mouth to him. He gently caresses my tongue with his, applying more force with each caress. The passion grows between us as I feel my blood heating up and my heart beat racing.

Darren’s hands move to under my top, feeling my bare back. Surprised, I take a sharp intake of breath. Darren starts to softly kiss down my neck, going gradually lower with each kiss. He reaches the dip in my collar bone which sends a shiver down my spine. I feel the atmosphere heating up around us.

I hear quiet growling coming from Darren’s chest, and I look up to see his eyes are dark black, with a tinge of his usual green showing his lust, with his wolf starting to show through. I watch as leans down towards my shoulder, placing a kiss on my shoulder just before he bites into me. I close my eyes as the pleasure runs through me, all throughout my body.

I feel my mind becoming a jumbled mess, thoughts filling it which certainly aren’t mine. Darren’s. I feel my emotions double as his emotions meld with mine. The connection between us is complete; we are like one. The happiness and love I feel overwhelms me.

Finally, after what felt like hours but was probably just minutes, Darren draws back away from the bite, and licks it to heal it. He looks at his mark, pride showing through on his face. He then raises his head to look into my head, pleasure just filling his eyes.

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Sitting down on the blanket, Darren brings out a basket which I hadn't seen when I first arrived. He opens the flap, bringing out a bundle of boxes full of picnic foods: sausages, pineapple, cheese, sandwiches, sausage rolls and my favourite CHICKEN NUGGETS! He then brings out two bottles of J20, orange and passion fruit; wow, he really has done his research! All my favourite things.

Wait..... Chase, of course!

Darren brings out cutlery, giving me a knife and fork whilst telling me to "dig in!".

10 minutes later

"Okay, I know Chase said you ate lots, and ate it quickly but I didn't realise how serious he was."

Darren looks at me with shock and amusement on his face. Yes, the food is all gone. Yummy. Oh I'm a hungry she-wolf - sue me!

"And now Mel, for the finale piece!"

I watch as Darren leans into the basket, bringing out a massive summer fruits cheesecake *drool*.

I jump to my feet and throw myself into Darren's arms, repeatedly shouting thank you right into his ears. He pulls me back to say

"You're welcome my dear."

Bubbling with happiness, I lean down to kiss him once more. He couldn't be more perfect if he tried.