C'mere (Paul Banks fanfic)

Take Out Pizza

Paul looked at her as she walked into the pizza place. He had flown from Portugal this very morning, but he didn't feel tired in the slightest. Her hair was even shorter than the last time he had seen her. He hoped it wasn't the self-destruction thing she'd mentioned before. It was May again. A whole year had gone by. She looked ravishing in those skinny jeans and plain white tee, white chucks on her feet. He'd never seen her dress so casually. He was weirdly glad she didn't look pregnant. He laughed to himself at this thought.

She walked right up to him, smiling shyly. She seemed nervous. He stood up and hugged her. He could not just be this near her and not hold her for a second. She stared into his eyes when they broke apart and gave him an unexpected peck. He grinned and they both sat down. He looked at her hands. No ring.

They exchanged glances again. He took the risk to stretch his hand towards hers and played with her fingers. She sighed and asked.

- How are you?

- I'm... OK, work is OK, apparently I'll record a new album with the band soon. How about you?

- I'm... fine. Work is great too...

- So I heard, let me guess... Gallagher?

- Yes, he's our client.

- Yours specifically?

- Yes. - She accepted smiling. He nodded. - He's not half as nice as you, though...

They laughed.

- Good to know...

- I also like your music better.

- And you're not biased?

- Maybe just a bit.

They laughed again, but then an awkward silence passed between them. They spoke at the same time.

- There's something... - She said at the same time as he uttered:

- I need to...

They both stopped short and laughed.

- Ladies first... - He finally told her.

- Okay then. - She bit her lips and sighed, glaring at him as she played with her own fingers nervously. - - Well... Paul... I have this... situation, it's more of a problem, really. You may have noticed.

He frowned and invited her to keep talking. She smiled and let out:

- I don't seem to be able to stay the fuck away from you.

He cackled.

- Is that the first time you've ever cussed in front of me? - He snorted.

- Maybe, but it damn sure will not be the last.

He squinted his eyes.

- I like the way that sounds. You see, I have the exact same problem.

- I know. - She confessed jovially.

- In fact my case might just be a little worse. For example, I'd be honoured to, say... be able to kiss your feet for the rest of my life... maybe... if your feet weren't engaged...

She bit her lips.

- They aren't. -She murmured. 

- But are they married...? - He trailed off.

- No, they haven't been anywhere near and altar for months now. In fact, I don't even have a boyfriend anymore.

He gulped. She continued.

- I could never forgive him for what he did. I tried, but I couldn't. I just... I guess I didn't love him enough.

- How is that...?

- Because, Paul, there's this thing. - She interrupted him with a tint of exasperation in her voice. - As much as I tried to fight it, as much as I hated it and myself for it... I've been in love with someone else for the whole of last year.

He opened his eyes wide and pointed at himself with his thumb, inquisitively, mouthing the word "Moi?". She rolled her eyes and assented.

He definitely was not expecting this. He thought it would be another evening of being just this close to the woman he loved, this close and this far. But this...

- Are you...?

- Positive. I may have acted like I wasn't, I may have misled you into thinking I wasn't, hey, I almost misled myself into it.

- Rhi... does this mean...?

- I'm yours. I practically always have been. My feet are yours to kiss, and the rest... if you want... because I want you. More than I have wanted anyone or anything in my life. I am sorry I put you through all this suffering because of my childish, cowardly, inflexible nature. I understand if you don't feel the same anymore, but if you do... I will try to make it up...

- I do, and you already have. - He cut her off, taking her hand to attract her face towards his and kissed her with all the contained violence he had kept inside his heart this whole time.

Rhi felt her chest was going to open like a birdcage. This is what it felt like to be free. To know what you want and fight for it. This was not what she had planned. It was so much better. When they opened their eyes, the waiter was patiently standing next to them. Paul stood up and told him:

- We want take out, two large pizzas. Whichever ingredients are ready to go.

- Certainly, sir. - The man said, and walked to the counter to tell the cashier their order.

Paul paid and before long, they were walking towards his flat, hand in hand with two huge pizza boxes.

-

He pulled her towards his body as soon as the door closed behind them and the pizzas were safe on the kitchen table. She opened her mouth for him to kiss her and slid her hands under his shirt. She went from his lower back dimples to his belly button and then his chest. She could feel the texture on his rib tattoo and he groaned a bit when she rid him of his shirt.

He did the same with her and kissed her neck, collarbone and breasts. He lifted her up to carry her to the bedroom, where he gently placed her over the soft white bedsheets. She split her legs for him to lean over her and undo her bra, which flew far away in a matter of seconds. Every touch of his tongue on her breasts produced the effect of a thousand ants crawling over her skin. She could not help but whimper.

Her skin was softer than he remembered and her mouth sweeter than he had dreamed of. She kneeled in front of him when he had taken her jeans off and proceded to unzip his. She pulled them off along with his underwear and contemplated his body. It was glorious. Tan and perfect, with a peach- like feel. She kissed his chest, his ribs, his abs, his belly button, down and down she went.

- I've wanted to to this for such a long time. - She moaned, almost to herself, just before using her mouth for something other than talking.