Everybody's Talking Now [Daniel Ricciardo]

Lap Twelve - Fluttering Butterflies

12.

❝Morgan Blom❞
▰▱▰▱▰▱▰▱▰▱▰▱▰▱
01:19 AM CEP

The words had rolled so easily on my tongue without even realizing it. Daniel's reaction had been indescribable. His eyes had been startled and his mood was astonished. At first, he had to ask me a second time as if he couldn't believe my confirming words. After that, it hadn't been more than two minutes before we were out of the café in the right direction to meet the others. As if he was determined to not let me have second thoughts on my decision.

As the last evening here in Paris for the eight of us, no one was shy about going full out. After an extraordinary dinner, we stayed behind at the restaurant and continued our conversation until the early morning hours. The talk went from bad teacher stories to what colors were inappropriate to have on a sports car, which for the record half of the table agreed with me when I stood by a saturated and bright color like orange or red.

When the clock was half past noon, we all agreed it was time to think about going to bed. Luckily for me, the metros were still going at this hour. The others spliced on an uber to their luxury apartment, while Daniel had insisted on taking me home. This charming prince in shining armor was loudly vocal in his concern for me to walk home alone in the dark. I had obviously started an argument with him, but he was determined to join me.

"A woman should never be left to walk home alone. Especially, someone so beautiful as you," he'd told me which made me blush like crazy.

Daniel had to be the most gentle man I'd ever met. He was so full of courage and kindness, he always put everyone else before himself. And when we arrived at the right street of my rented flat... It was like he didn't want to leave. He even followed me up close to the gate.

I invited him up for another glass of bubbles, but he kindly declined. He reasoned with Ethan and Andrew leaving in the morning which was only a few hours. He wished to say a last goodbye before they traveled home to Australia. With a bit of disappointment, I fully understood him — I would have done the same.

With a glass of beer and two of champagne in my blood and my head not spinning too much, I felt brave enough to leave a soft peak on his cheek. After opening the big wooden door leading into the backyard, I looked back at the Australian man behind me. I didn't really think much of it, but his cheeks had turned slightly more pink than usual, which made my lips curve upwards.

"I had a wonderful evening," I said, leaning against the wooden door.

His generous smile was to die for. "Me too. It's sad everything is coming to an end," he sighed. A short silence fell upon us on the empty street.

I reached out for his hand, taking it in mine. "Not for us, though." His soft fingers brushed against mine, making us both smile at each other. He took a step closer and suddenly, he was between me and the giant gate.

"I'm really glad I met you, Morgan." His voice was the softest I'd ever heard it. His eyes were intensely staring into mine. Something moved in my chest as he slowly closed the gap between us. His hand reached for my cheek, brushing a strain of hair behind my ear. I closed my eyes when his touch gently moved down my face.

It took millions of moments for me to give him any answer. "I couldn't agree more."

I couldn't even remember when or how it happened, but my hands were running up his chest. If it wasn't for the thin fabric layer of his shirt, my palms would be touching the skin of his chest. I knew exactly what was behind that colorful shirt of his, and oh God... I wish there was nothing in between him and me right now.