Love on Notes

38

Having sabotaged our sleep with a nap, we were going to spend the night playing games, watching films and talking, but his boss had called him at around two in the morning and asked him to come straight over. He hesitated to leave, not wanting to leave me alone, but I reassured him that nothing could happen to me in a building like his, especially as he'd had two extra locks installed at his door.

After I'd finished writing my article, I was about to start reading a new novel when I heard someone insert a key into one of the locks. I was startled by the silence, but the keys were consistently inserted, showing that the person behind the front door knew their way around. As he stepped forward to remove his shoes, Daniel looked tired and slightly irritated. When he saw me on one of the sofas, his expression changed drastically. He smiled at me with all his teeth, despite his huge dark circles, and put his bag down beside me.

— Why are you still awake?
— I wasn't really sleepy. Maybe you'd like something to eat before going to bed?

He frowned. I explained that I had simply wanted to wait for him before eating. He finally gave in and agreed. He insisted on helping me and, throughout breakfast, kept looking at me with affectionate, softer-than-usual eyes.

As we put our dirty dishes in the sink, I asked him about his behaviour.

— I didn't think it would look like this, he replied.
— What are you talking about?
— To have someone there when you get home. You motivate me, or rather force me, to cook and eat when I get home. Normally, I bite into an apple or a slice of toast before collapsing into bed, but this time I've got a balanced meal so I can get a good night's sleep afterwards. To tell you the truth, this is the first time that someone has waited for me until the morning. I haven't had many girlfriends, but a few have had the time to live with me for a while and I've never had such a warm welcome. I mean, even in the evenings, they were just there doing their nails and waiting for me to make dinner when I got home at three o'clock.
— I don't know what kind of specimens you went out with, but from everything you've told me, they didn't seem to suit you.
— Absolutely not.

I was reassured that we were on the same wavelength.

After closing the curtains, we turned off the lights in the living room before changing into our pyjamas. We then joined each other in the bathroom as we usually did to carry out our routine together. But that evening, well that morning, something was different. We didn't usually talk much, although we enjoyed each other's company. We weren't as comfortable talking with toothpaste in our mouths. Nevertheless, as we brushed our teeth, we chatted, full of energy. I couldn't explain it, but it was probably because we'd grown closer by sleeping in the same bed. There was also this unbearable tension; it was extremely frustrating. It was hard to ignore the way our breaths quickened as soon as we got close to each other, the way our gazes lingered on our lips at the slightest opportunity. Granted, it was only about nine o'clock.

— Are you all right? he asked as I thought about it while applying my moisturiser.
— Er, yes, yes.

Having never experienced this before, I didn't know how to react. Could I talk to him about it? Or was I supposed to pretend like nothing was happening?

We were finishing our routine when our hands brushed against each other to retrieve my cream, which had fallen to the floor. When did my life become so cliché?

Daniel looked at me while I was too distressed to continue facing him. I picked up the cream and put it back on the counter.

— Liz, are you all right?

I smiled as I washed my hands to avoid his eyes.

— Yes, I'm just tired.
— Are you sure? he said, sounding amused.
— Yes.
— Look at me then.

I found my courage and turned to look at him. His eyes had darkened and his smile had disappeared. My breathing became faster and faster and the tension rose. He took a step towards me, enough to make my throat go dry. I swallowed, feeling my heart palpitate. His beauty made me melt and my body burst into flames. Her third step towards me destroyed the safe distance between us. At last, we pressed our lips together. They began to dance as his hands encircled my face. It felt like huge fireworks exploding. Even though it wasn't our first kiss, this one was more passionate and powerful than the last one.

We detached ourselves after a few long minutes to catch our breath. We looked at each other, smiling. My heart was beating so fast, and this feeling of happiness made me think it was going to burst any minute. But my body was still on fire. And from the look in his eyes, so was his. In just a few seconds, I found myself on his mattress.

When I opened my eyelids again, I saw that the room was pitch black, but the light coming through the curtains made it possible to make out the surroundings. Turning my head to see if Daniel was still asleep, I realised that he wasn't even in bed. Hearing the kitchen extractor fan on, I induced that he must have been cooking. After a few moments stretching out on his mattress, I headed for the bathroom to wash up.

A few minutes later, I smiled as I entered the living room.

— It smells delicious.

While he was shirtless, he looked up and gave me a huge smile. I walked over and saw that he was making pasta. I put my chin on his shoulder and wrapped my arms around him. As I'd been intimate with him just a few hours before, this closeness didn't bother me anymore, on the contrary.

He turned and kissed me, then turned his attention back to the pan he was holding.

— Did you sleep well?
— I slept like a baby, did you?
— So did I. It was great last night. Well, no, more like this morning, as it was around ten o'clock, but you get the idea.

I smile.

— Yes, I understood you and yes, it was... wow.

I raised my eyebrows as I recalled the events. That morning had been the most intense moment of my life. All the feelings and emotions I'd been through were so new to me. I'd never imagined that human beings were capable of feeling so overwhelmed by so many things. I even ended up shedding a few tears.