Hers to Love

Chapter 34

The rain drummed softly against the windows of Maria's Toronto apartment, casting a cozy, intimate atmosphere over the evening. Maria stood in the kitchen, stirring the pot of pasta, the scent of garlic and herbs filling the air. She glanced over at Amir, who was lounging on the couch in the living room, watching a movie with a relaxed, contented expression on his face.

He had brought a bottle of wine with him, a rich red that he insisted paired perfectly with the pasta she was making. Maria had teased him about it—after all, he was Muslim and usually didn't drink—but Amir had simply smiled and shrugged, saying, "Sometimes, men are just men. Besides, it's a special night."

Maria couldn't help but smile at that. Amir had always been good at finding the right balance, respecting his beliefs while still embracing the moments they shared. As long as he didn't do anything that would harm himself or others, Maria was more than okay with it.The pasta was nearly done, so she turned down the heat and began setting the table. As she moved around the kitchen, she noticed the flowers Amir had brought earlier—deep red roses, their petals still glistening with droplets of rain. He could be incredibly romantic when he wanted to be, and tonight was no exception.

"Amir," she called out, her voice warm with affection, "dinner's ready."Amir paused the movie and turned his head towards her, a smile spreading across his face. 

"Perfect timing," he said as he got up from the couch and walked into the kitchen. "It smells amazing in here."

Maria grinned, placing the last dish on the table. "I hope you like it. I know how much you love pasta.""I love everything you cook," Amir replied, his tone sincere as he wrapped his arms around her from behind, pressing a gentle kiss to her cheek. "Thank you for doing this."

Maria felt a flutter in her chest at the simple, affectionate gesture. "You know I love cooking for you," she said softly, leaning back against him for a moment before turning in his arms to face him. "And thank you for the wine and the flowers. You're spoiling me."

"You deserve to be spoiled," Amir murmured, brushing a strand of hair away from her face. His eyes softened as he looked at her, and for a moment, they stood there in silence, just enjoying each other's presence.

Finally, Amir pulled out a chair for her, and they sat down to eat. The conversation flowed easily as they shared the meal, the warmth between them growing with each passing moment. Amir poured them both a glass of wine, and they toasted to the evening, to each other, and to the happiness they had found together.

When dinner was over, Amir helped Maria clear the table, their movements coordinated as if they had been doing this together for years. As they finished up, Amir reached out, taking her hand in his.

"Come here," he said softly, his voice holding a note of something deeper, something that made Maria's heart skip a beat.

He led her to the living room, where the movie was still paused on the screen. But instead of pressing play, Amir turned to face her, his expression serious, yet filled with tenderness."I've been thinking," he began, his thumb gently rubbing circles on the back of her hand, "about how lucky I am to have you in my life, Maria. You make everything better—every moment, every day."

Maria felt her throat tighten with emotion. "Amir..."

Before she could say more, Amir leaned in, capturing her lips in a slow, lingering kiss. It was different from the kisses they had shared before—deeper, more intentional, filled with a kind of passion that spoke volumes about how much he cared for her. Maria responded in kind, her arms wrapping around his neck as she pressed closer to him. The warmth of his body, the softness of his lips, the way his hands gently but firmly held her—it all felt so right, so natural.

When they finally broke apart, both were breathing heavily, their foreheads resting against each other's as they tried to steady themselves.

"Maria," Amir whispered, his voice low and husky, "I want you to know... I've never felt this way before. Not with anyone."

Maria looked up into his eyes, seeing the truth in them. "I feel the same way," she admitted, her voice barely more than a whisper.

Amir's hand slid to the small of her back, pulling her closer as he kissed her again, this time with more urgency. The fire that had been simmering between them all evening now blazed into something they could no longer ignore.

Without breaking the kiss, Amir gently guided her towards the hallway, his movements slow and deliberate, as if asking for permission with every step. Maria's heart raced as they neared her bedroom, a mix of anticipation and nervous excitement swirling within her.

As they crossed the threshold into her room, Amir paused, pulling back just enough to look into her eyes. "Are you sure?" he asked, his voice tender, full of concern.Maria smiled, nodding as she ran her fingers through his hair. "I'm sure, Amir. I want this. I want you."

That was all the encouragement he needed. With a soft smile, Amir kissed her again, his hands gently cupping her face as he led her towards the bed. The rain continued to fall softly outside, a gentle soundtrack to the intimacy unfolding within the walls of her apartment.

As they reached the bed, Amir paused, his eyes searching hers for any sign of hesitation. Seeing none, he carefully laid her down, following her with a tenderness that made Maria's heart swell with affection.

Their movements were slow, almost reverent, as if they were both savoring every moment, every touch, every kiss. Amir's hands were gentle as they explored her body, his lips tracing a path down her neck, across her collarbone, making her shiver with anticipation.

Maria felt a deep sense of connection as they moved together, a sense that this was more than just physical—it was emotional, intimate in the truest sense of the word. She had never felt so close to anyone, never allowed herself to be this vulnerable, but with Amir, it felt right.As they finally came together, the world outside faded away, leaving only the two of them, wrapped in each other's arms, lost in the moment. The rain, the wine, the warmth of their shared evening—all of it blended together into a perfect symphony of intimacy and love.

Later, as they lay entwined in each other's arms, the steady rhythm of Amir's breathing lulling Maria into a peaceful state, she realized just how much this man meant to her. He wasn't just a lover—he was a partner, someone she could trust, someone who cared for her in a way no one else ever had.

"I'm glad you're here," she whispered, her head resting on his chest.Amir kissed the top of her head, his arms tightening around her. "I'm glad I'm here too, Maria. With you."

And as they drifted off to sleep, the rain continued to fall outside, a gentle reminder of the night they had shared and the future that lay ahead, full of promise and love.