Kiralik Ask / Love for Rent - One Shots

The Photo

It had niggled him, from the moment she said the words. "Admit it, you fell in love with me after you saw that picture." Six years together and she seemingly still had no idea when he'd fallen in love with her and how he'd struggled with those feelings.

It seemed like it had been just yesterday and yet at the same time, a lifetime ago. He thought back to everything that they had been through, all of the things that they had put behind them, and everything that was ahead of them. They'd created a family, one that they would continue to grow and nurture, he was still as in love with her now as he was then, maybe more so, and it suddenly became important that she understand just how long he was in love with her before they finally understood one another.

He could hear her walking around the floor above him, putting Emine to bed and he sat, impatiently waiting for her to come downstairs so that he could hold her, breathe her in and remind himself once more just how incredibly lucky he was to have found a love like theirs.

When eventually he heard her gait on the stairs, he turned, watching as she manoeuvred herself down them expertly, whilst cradling her heavily pregnant stomach. She was the best mother, the best lover and his best friend. When she finally reached the bottom of the steps, she padded over to him and collapsed next to him on the sofa. Smiling, he pulled her against him, wrapping his arms around her shoulders and resting his cheek on top of her head.

"Is she asleep?"

"Hmm, not quite, but she will be soon. She's always so tired after Iso visits."

He smirked, amused when he heard her own yawn. "Just Emine?"

"Maybe I'm a little tired too."

Omer's hand drifted down to her stomach and he held his palm against her gently. "I was thinking."

"About?"

"What you said earlier."

Defne turned to him with a small, amused smile. "I may have said any number of things earlier, you'll need to be more specific, my love."

Meeting her eyes warmly, he allowed his gaze to drift over her face. "You said that I fell in love with you after seeing your photo."

Cocking her head tot he side, she stared back at him confused. "Okay."

"It made me realise, that after all this time, I've never told you when I fell in love, why, how..."

She smiled up at him, interested. "Okay, go ahead. I'm listening."

Placing a quick peck on her lips, Omer sighed. He really was incredibly lucky. "So I guess, it makes sense to start at the beginning."

"Well, I would say so."

Omer's mind drifted back to the first time they met. "As you know, I was on a date when I first saw you. When you appeared at the table, I didn't even look up, I saw your name badge and that was all I needed, I was only looking for an escape. That girl, I don't even remember her name..."

"Sezan."

He smirked at her ability to recall. "Ah, Sezan, that's right... it was clear that I wasn't going to be able to let her down gently. You appeared right on time... just as always." She grinned at him. "It wasn't until I stood up and faced you that I realised how beautiful you were, but that had very little impact on me at the time. I was annoyed, desperate to get out of there and you had provided me with the perfect excuse. When you tore into me outside, I was completely captivated by your eyes and when Sezan came looking for us, I forced a kiss on you, and it was the most singular and unforgettable experience of my life."

"Don't be ridiculous."

"I mean it, seriously. I didn't have a second to think before you landed that slap on me, but it was the kiss that dazed me. It was completely unexpected, I was overwhelmed, and your eyes... The way that you looked at me. They were so beautiful, so bright, intelligent... furious... and I was just completely speechless." Omer shifted against the arm of the chair, taking her hands in his, rubbing them as he spoke. "It wasn't love then, but that kiss... you... you plagued me for days, Defne. I couldn't forget it, the softness of your lips, your taste, those beautiful, fiery amber eyes. When you showed up in my kitchen as my assistant, I could hardly believe it. I was shocked. Not only that, but the peevish girl I'd kissed at the restaurant, was suddenly a beautiful, professional young woman. I struggled from then on. Your energy, the way that you spoke to people, your smile, I was instantly attracted to you... and I won't lie... I struggled with it."