Lost at sea

Chapter 20

Later in the day I see a note slide under my door. I pick it up and read his recognizable handwriting.

Hey doll,
I'm sorry for today, I'll make it up to you, just meet me at the pond after dinner.
Signed,
Your pretty boy.

I smile at the note. He was such a dork. I place the note on top of the piles of letters he's given me since I met him. All of them were so stupid, either flirty notes or... well they were all flirty notes.

I get dressed for dinner. My kefta was all dirty from practice so I wore a satin floral dress. It was really cute but I never had the chance to wear it. I slip on some black heels and tie my hair in a loose ponytail.

Half way through dinner Paja starts changing the topic. "Hey Len you good? You haven't eaten anything." I nod my head "yeah I just have a stomach ache."

To be honest I didn't, my stomach was filled with butterflies and I felt like this every time I thought of Nikolai. "I think I'm going to finish up early and go on a walk. Don't wait for me to head back up" I smile. Zoya says okay while Paja makes a sad face.

I make my way outside and sit on a bench beside the pond. I sigh. The sound of the water rippling against the wind and the quacks of ducks echoed in the cool air. I bounced my leg up and down, the platform in my heels clacking against the pavement.

"I had no idea you would be out here so early." That lovely accent rung in my ears. The sound just hit something right in my ears. "Hi there Nikolai. You're late" I retort. "In my defense I didn't expect you not to eat. But I am sorry I kept you waiting, it wasn't very gentlemanly of me" he softly squeezes my arm as he sits beside me.

I look at him. He was dressed in a white button-down that wasn't completely buttoned up. The sleeves rolled up to his elbows, and his hand hung in the pocket of his slacks. On his hand he wore "our" ring.

He hands me a piece of bread. "I'm good, I didn't eat for a reason" I hold my hand out in protest. He laughs lightly. "no it's for the ducks, not everything I do is for you" he teases. I grumble at his response. He leans his head on my shoulder, "relax, you know I would do everything for you."

We just sat there like that. Staring at the stars above us. Listening to the echo of everyone leaving dinner. I could feel his heart beat on my shoulder and his warm, steady breaths on my neck.

A duckling soon walks up to me poking at my leg. "Awww" I pick it up and pet it's head. "Where's your mama" I kneel down on the floor with it, looking for it's mom. "Ooo there she is!" To not hurt it, I bend the water to float the duckling over to its family. I stand up and see Nikolai staring at me with a smile on his face.

"What" I question, trying not to laugh. "You just look really pretty" he spoke softly, a faint smile tugging at his lips. My laugh immediately faded, my emotions filling with fluster.

I clear my throat. "So why did you tell me to see you here" I question to change the topic. His expression stayed the same, his hair fell perfectly in his face. "I just wanted to see you." I feel my face flush. "Oh shut up" I shove him backward causing him to lose balance and fall into the pond.

"Oh shit!" I hurry over to Nikolai and squat besides him. "Are you okay!?" His hair was wet and messy, and his clothes were damp. He laughs it off lightly. "I'm so sorry" I bury my face in my hands out of embarrassment. "It's okay darling, just help me up" he reaches out his hand for me to help him.

I grab hold of his hand and as soon as I do he yanks me into the water beside him. "Nikolai!" I splash him back as we both play fight in the water. We didn't mind that we were getting soaked during the cold of night. We were just happy to be in each others company.

I let out a exhausted sigh. As I sit in the water beside him. I lean back on my hands to keep me upright. I turn to Nikolai to talk to him but I got caught off guard by his looks. His shirt was almost see through and it clung tightly to his body.

"Saints you look beautiful. I can't do anything to ruin that" he says, the same stupid, starstruck look on his face. "You're one to talk" I mutter.

I don't know if I was tired or something, but it felt like we were both leaning into each other. His hand made its way to the side of my face. "Can I kiss you" he whispers. "I think you already know the answer to that" I whisper back.

The moment his lips met mine it felt as if now the earth revolved around us instead. Everything felt still. Everything but the burn of this moment. His hands in my hair as he held me close, my hand on his chest. I could feel every sped up beat of his heart. I felt the water from the pond run down our faces as his lips turned into a smile against mine. He broke away, leaving me wanting more. That was the kind of kiss that made you regret needing oxygen.

972 words!!