The Darker Exterior

Chapter 6

"I drove here, so we can't go too far," I respond as we emerge from the restaurant, looking around at the dark night sky. It was hard to see the stars here because of the light pollution, and I often missed the way I could see them back home.

"We can just take a stroll. It's not too chilly out," he says, placing a hand on my lower back. I felt small sparks from underneath his touch. It was intoxicating, "if that's alright with you, of course."

"It's perfectly okay with me," I answer, looking around as we walk. There was a large number of people out tonight, which wasn't super appealing, but people seemed to move out of the way for Atticus.

"Did you like your meal?" he asks, his hand sliding more firmly around my waist, causing me to shiver.

"It was very good. How long have you owned that place?" I ask.

"About twelve years now. The previous owner was getting older and sold it to me for far less than it was worth. One of the best investments I've made, for sure. We're almost always sold out with reservations."

"I'd seen it a few times but I never dreamed I'd eat there. Or have someone take me to such a nice place."

"You deserve someone who will spoil you with things like that," he replied honestly.

"I never really wanted someone who was going to spoil me. I like small gestures," I reply, "like wildflowers, and notes. Things that aren't necessarily bought, if that makes sense," I say peering into a shop window. It looked like a bookstore with an assortment of teas and smelled like warm cinnamon as we walked by, "I just like to see that they were thinking about me, you know? Like I'm important to them."

"I'll keep that in mind, Ms. Vidal. Want to get some?" Atticus asked, motioning to the tea shop. 

I nod excitedly and watch as he opens the door for me with a smile.

I ended up getting the same cinnamon tea I had smelled as we approached the store, along with a small cinnamon roll. Atticus got peppermint and a small chocolate chip cookie. I guess we both needed our sweet treats after dinner. 

We found a spot to sit outside and watched as the few stars we could see took over the night sky.

"You have to try this," I said, excitedly handing my fork to Atticus. I had gotten him the perfect bite of my cinnamon roll.

"Alright Aurelia," he replied with a small chuckle, taking the fork from my hands, placing the cinnamon roll into onto his tongue.

"It's very good," he replied, smiling down at me as I bounced a bit, letting my stress melt away as I finished my dessert.

"Aurelia, you're a mess," he muttered with a laugh, using his finger to wipe some icing from around my lips.

"I am not," I reply, watching as he sucks the icing he collected from my lips off of his finger briefly.

"Whatever you say," he replied, letting his signature smirk frame his lips yet again.

"What, do I have more frosting on my lips?" I ask, placing my own fingers in various places around my lips to double-check. 

"I don't know, I think I should check," he said, scooting ever so slightly closer.

"I don't think there is any but if you want-" Atticus cuts me off with a kiss, pulling me closer to him gently. He only let the kiss grace my lips briefly before pulling away.

"You definitely had more," he replied, placing one of his large hands on the side of my cheek, dragging it down so it gently cupped my jaw. I clenched my legs together and looked down at my lap.