Only for You

21: Gone

Zac pulled up smoothly in front of Fatima's studio, the hum of the car's engine filling the comfortable silence between them. He shifted into park, his eyes following her as she unbuckled her seatbelt and stepped out, the soft click of her heels barely audible in the afternoon quiet. Fatima shut the door behind her and came around to his side, the gentle breeze playing with the strands of her hair.

Zac rolled down the driver's side window, smirking as she leaned in, resting her folded arms on the edge of the window frame. For a moment, they just looked at each other, his dark brown eyes meeting hers.

"Want me to walk you inside?" Zac asked, his tone low and smooth as he tilted his head slightly.

Fatima glanced back at the building, then returned her gaze to him with a soft smile. "No... I'm good from here."

He nodded, though his eyes lingered on her face like he was committing every detail to memory. "At least call me when you're home?"

Fatima reached through the open window, her hand resting gently on his chest as her fingers caressed the fabric of his shirt. Zac's muscles tensed under her touch, but his face remained steady, watching her every move.

"But I wanna spend the night at your place," she murmured, her pout playful as her lips curved into a soft smile.

Zac chuckled, the deep sound rumbling through him. "Okay then... call me when you're done here, and I'll come and get you." His hand reached up, gently taking hers, his thumb brushing over her knuckles.

Fatima smiled, her gaze softening. "That sounds better."

He grinned, his fingers still holding hers like he wasn't ready to let go. "Always gotta have things your way, huh?"

"And you love it," she teased softly, her voice barely above a whisper as she leaned in closer.

Zac didn't argue. He just chuckled, his eyes dropping to her lips as her hands moved to cup his face. The moment hung between them, charged and electric, before Fatima leaned in further, pressing her lips against his.

Zac responded instantly, his hand releasing hers to slide up and brush the side of her face. The kiss deepened, her lips parting as their tongues met in a slow, deliberate dance. The world outside the car faded; there was no one else, no noise, just the heat radiating between them.

When she finally pulled back, her face inches from his, Zac let out a soft, content sigh. "You're gonna make it hard for me to drive off now," he muttered, his voice slightly rough.

Fatima grinned, biting her bottom lip as her thumb gently brushed over his jawline. "Then don't. Stay right here."

Zac laughed, shaking his head as his eyes stayed fixed on her. "You're trouble, you know that?"

She gave him a playful wink before stepping back from the car, letting her hands trail along the edge of the window. "Call me when you get home," she said, echoing his words from earlier with a teasing smile.

Zac shook his head again, a grin still tugging at his lips. "I'll see you later, Fatima."

She turned and walked toward the studio doors, glancing back one last time before disappearing inside. Zac watched her until she was out of sight, running a hand over his face with a groan as he finally rolled up the window and pulled off.

"Yeah... she's trouble," he muttered to himself with a smirk, already counting down the minutes until he'd see her again.
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Fatima walked down the quiet hallway of the studio she had been renting, the faint sound of humming machinery and muffled voices from the other rooms accompanying her steps. Her heels clicked against the polished floors, her mind already beginning to focus on the work waiting for her.