Raison D'être

Close Proximity

Anastasia

Startled at the sound of a deep rich voice, I turned my head and faced the man that saved my life. Taking note of his appearance, in dark grey dress pants, a grey vest, and a white dress shirt, sleeves folded exposing his forearms of branching veins and intricate tattoos. At the sight, my heartbeat was uneven for a moment. Looking at his large biceps and shoulders that were slightly see-through because of the white fabric and lighting, my breath hitched. My eyes scanned over his face, taking in his defined jaw, structured cheekbones, thick brows, and long lashes that I was envious of, before landing on my trigger, his beautiful eyes that shimmered green and brown due to the sun streaming in through the giant windows. The butterflies in my stomach were swarming; he was effortlessly enticing.

"Hi," I replied timidly. Why did I just say hi like that!? Mentally palming myself, I hear him chuckle. God, just the sound of that was beautiful. After my ears were blessed, I swear they were the same shade of red as my cheeks were right now.

"I'm sorry about your clothes, they were all I had. If you would like any other clothing, like shorts if you're hot-"

Interrupting, "no, it's fine. I'm quite comfortable actually. Besides these clothes are rather comfy and I prefer this over the long sleeve shirts I've been switching between for the past four years." I shut up and the blood rushes to my cheeks again, realizing I was rambling. Hearing him chuckle, I glance up and see he is staring at me.

Staring at each other, my mouth speaks before I can retract, "did you change me? I mean- did you,  you know?" I can't help but cross my fingers and hope that it wasn't him. Whether it was my lack of a thigh gap or the lack of waist or my now wide hips after my pregnancy, my body was always my insecurity.

I look up at him and I think he is just as flustered as I am before he clears his throat and reassures me, "no that was my maid." Thank God.

Now I can't help but feel stupid at having made things awkward. I'm not used to talking to extremely handsome men; I'm used to the creeps in the Diner that would flirt or the teenage boys that would try and look cool in front of their friends. Either way, this man, this incredibly attractive man was making my tongue twisted and my brain melt.

"Are you hungry?" his silky rich voice asks.

Without thinking twice, I nod my head. He gives me a small smile, before saying  "I'll lead the way." As he walks down the long staircase, I can't help but gaze at him. His hair looks so silky, my fingers are tingling at the thought of running my hands through. Too busy lost in thought, he suddenly stops at the bottom of the staircase and I bump into him.

Mumbling a small "sorry," I step back two steps, but still manage to come short to his height. Turning around he looks me in the eyes before saying, "I'm sorry I forgot I had guests over, you don't have to pay any mind to them. If you want I could take you to the dining room to avoid them, but if you're comfortable with them just note that they might ask questions, but they know better. And if ever at all you feel uncomfortable, just give my arm a light squeeze."

Waving my hands off, "no it's alright, I'm comfortable enough to introduce myself." I was lying, I was in a house full of men and I was nowhere near comfortable, but maybe it was the small reassurance that I could go to him that made me feel a little safe. A little.

As he gave me a reassuring smile, he turned around and made his way down the steps before stopping suddenly and making me bump into him again. Turning around, he puts his hands on  my shoulders and looks down at me chuckling, "I'm sorry."

Blushing, I give him a small smile, but really my insides are burning at the mere contact of him on my shoulders.

"Is there anything specific you want to eat, if not I hope tortellini e brodo is good?"