The Rockstar and Me

Chapter 4

ELJAH UNFURLS HIS NAPKIN, HIS HANDS MOVING WITH A QUIET CONFIDENCE. "So, shall we order? I'm starving." He scans the menu, his brow furrowed in concentration. "Their pasta dishes look incredible. Have you tried their signature lasagna? He leans in slightly, his shoulder almost touching Rosalina's as he awaits her response.

ROSALINA FELT A SHIVER RUN DOWN HER SPINE AS ELIJAH LEANED IN CLOSE, HIS SHOULDER ALMOST TOUCHING HERS. She hastily composed herself, focusing on the menu instead of the proximity of their bodies. "Uh, no, I haven't tried it," she replied, her voice steady. "But I've heard great things about it."

Elijah grins, his teeth flashing in the dim light of the restaurant. "Well, in that case, I highly recommend it." He signals the waiter over, "We'll both have the lasagna, please and a bottle of red wine." He orders with ease. He then he turns back to Rosalina, his gaze locking onto hers."So, tell me more about these hikes you go on, What draws you to them?"

"Honestly, I think it's the feeling of being completely absorbed in nature,"
Rosalina began, her words measured.
"You know, no distractions, no noise, just you and the trail. It's peaceful." She leans in slightly, a spark of enthusiasm igniting in her eyes. "I'm excited to try the lasagna, thank you for recommending it!"

Elijah laughs, the sound low and intimate, his gaze holding Rosalina captive. " I'm glad you're excited about the lasagna. I promise it won't disappoint." He leans back in his chair, steepling his figngers together.
"And I completely understand what you mean about hiking. There's just something primal about connecting with nature, isn't there?" He pauses, his expresstion turning contemplative. "Sometimes I feel we lose ourselves in the hustle and bustle of daily life, being in nature reminds us of our place in the world, puts things into perspective." He glances at Rosalina, a hint of vulnerability creasing his face. "At least, that's what it does for me."

ROSALINA FELT A FLUTTER IN HER CHEST AS THEIR EYES MET. "Exactly," she murmured, "It's like a reminder that we're small yet significant, you know?" She broke eye contact, busying herself with unfolding her napkin, trying to shake off the intense connection forming between them.

Elijah nods slowly, his gaze lingering on Rosalina's bent head, a softness in his expression that belied his rugged exterior. " Yeah, I do know. It's funny how sometimes it takes being surrounded by nature to realize what truely matters, huh? He pauses as the waiter returns with their wine, waitinh until he poured their glasses before continuing. "So Rosalina... his voice dropped to a low, husky tone
"Can I ask you something" He reached out, his fingertips grazing the edge of her hand where it rested on the table.

ROSALINA'S HEART SKIPPED A BEAT AS ELIJAH'S FINGERTIPS GRAZED HER HAND, THE CASUAL TOUCH SETTING OFF A CHAIN REACTION OF SENSATIONS WITHIN HER. She froze, her gaze fixed on the point of contact, before slowly raising her eyes to meet his. "Yeah?" She asked, her senses heightened with anticipation.

Elijah holds her gaze, his own locked intensely onto hers, the air thickening with unspoken connection. "Do you believe in second chances?" His words hung suspended, like a dare, as he searched her face for a glimmer of understanding.

"I believe everyone deserves one," Rosalina said softly.

Elijah exhaled slowly, his chest rising and falling beneath his shirt, as a smile spread across his face. "Good answer, Rosalina," He rasied his glass in a silent toast, his eyes never leaving hers. "To second chances, then."

ROSALINA'S EYES NEVER LEFT HIS AS SHE RAISED HER OWN GLASS, THE CRYSTAL CLINKING SOFTLY AGAINST HIS. "To second chances," she echoed, as she sipped the rich, velvety wine, the taste bursting on her tongue like a promise of new beginnings.

Elijah sets his glass down, his movements deliberate, as he leaned in closer, the space between them shrinking to a tantalizing distance. "You know, Rosalina... his words dripped with intensity, his gaze buring with a quiet passion. " I think I'm starting to realize why I needed to take a chance on meeting you." He pauses, the silence crackling with tension. "You make me feel alive."

ROSALINA'S BREATH CAUGHT IN HER THROAT AS ELIJAH'S WORDS WASHED OVER HER, LEAVING HER FEELING EXPOSED AND VULNERABLE. Yet , instead of fear, she felt a spark of attraction ignite within her, drawing her to him like a moth to a flame. "I know we've just met, but..." she hesitated, her pulse racing as she contiues "I think I'm starting to realize why I needed to take a chance on meeting you too." She whispered, her heart pounding in her chest.

Elijah's face inches from hers, as he reached out to gently brush a strand of hair behind her ear. "Then lets take another chance." His lips grazed hers, a feather like touch that send shivers down her spine, before he deepened the kiss, his mouth claiming hers in a gentle, yet insistent exploration.

ROSALINA'S LIPS MOVED INSTINCTIVELY AGAINST ELIJAH'S THE KISS DEEPENING AS SHE LOST HERSELF IN THE MOMENT. Suddenly she pulled back, her hands coming up to rest on his chest as to push him away. "Elijah," she breathed, her voice trembling with uncertainty. "This is crazy. We just met yesterday. I don't know if I am ready for this." Her past swirled up inside her, the painful memories threating to overwelm her. She didn't want to get hurt again, she didn't want to fall to fast.

Elijah pulled back, his chest rising and falling rapidly as he struggled to calm his breathing, his eyes burning with desire. " I know Rosie, believe me I know. He runs a hand through his hair, his movements agitated. "It's insane. We hardly know each other, but sometimes you just feel it, you know?" He looks at her, his gaze pleading "And I feel it. I feel like there's something here, something worth exploring. He stepped back creating some distance between them.
"If you need time, I'll give you time, but I had to try. I had to know if  maybe, just maybe you felt it too." He sighed heavily, his shoulders sagging under the weight of uncertainty.

ROSALINA'S HEART SKIPPED A BEAT AS ELIJAH'S WORDS STRUCK A CHORD DEEP WITHIN HER. She wanted to believe him, she wanted to trust that this wasn't just a fleeting infatuation, but her past kept screaming caution, reminding her of the pain she endured. "I want to believe you, Elijah I really do, but I've been hurt before badly." She swallowed hard, "I need to know that you're willing to wait, to prove that that this isn't just some wild attraction."

Elijah nods solemnly, his face set in determination "I'll wait, Rosie. I'll wait as long as it takes for you to feel comfortable, for you to trust me." He takes a step closer, his hands reaching out to grasp her arms gently "Because I know that if we take this slow, if we build something real it could be worth it." He searched her face his eyes burning with conviction. "I'm not going anywhere. I'll be right here, waiting for you, whenever you're ready." He leaned in, his forehead almost touching hers."Just promise me one thing: Don't shut me out completely. Let me prove myself to you little by little." He reached into his pocket, pulling out his phone and scrolling through his contacts before handing it to her it to her. "Here take my number. If you ever need to talk or just want to reach out, I'll be here."
His gaze held hers, filled with sincerity and longing.

ROSALINA TOOK THE PHONE FROM ELIJAH'S OUTSTRETCHED HAND, HER FINGERS BRUSHING AGAINST HIS AS SHE TYPED IN HER OWN NUMBER. Their gazes locked, the tension between them palpable. For a moment, she forgot to breathe, her heart pounding in her chest. She couldn't deny the sparks flying between them, nor the sincerity in his words. Slowly, she nodded, trying to process the emtions swirling inside her. "Okay," she whisphered her voice barely audible. "I won't shut you out."

Elijah glanced at the check, pulling out his wallet to pay. "Aright, I've got this. He settled the bill, then stood up, offering Rosalina his hand to help her up. "Shall we walk back to the coffee shop? My Jeep is parked there, and it's a nice night out He smiled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "Plus it will give us a chance to enjoy the evening air together. And I promise I won't shut you out either. We'll take this slow, together, and figure it out as we go.

ROSALINA PLACED HER HAND IN ELIJAH'S, FEELING A SPARK OF ELECTRICITY AS THEIR PALMS TOUCHED. He helped her up, their bodies drawning closer together as they stood. She nodded slightly, the gentle pressure of his hand around hers was comforting and reassuring. Together, they walked out into the cool evening air, the stars twinkling above them like diamonds scattered across the sky. The night air was crisp, carrying the scent of blooming flowers and freshly cut grass. As they strolled along, Rosalina couldn't help but steal glances at Elijah, her heart skipping a beat whenever their glances met. This was it the start of something new, something beautiful.