Begin Again

Chapter Twenty Three

"Be my date this Christmas Eve, be my holiday, my dream... Kissing underneath the tree, I don't need no presents, girl, you're everything I need... Together on this Christmas Eve."

Salomé's P.O.V.

"Let me tell you something."

I held my breath, feeling comfortable in his arms. I quietly scolded myself for behaving so dramatic in front of him.

"I can't bear seeing you like this, Kelly. There's something troubling you, and I understand that you may not be in the position to tell me, or you think that our relationship is too much on a professional level for you to be revealing your personal life. But, know this, Kelly. Whatever I'm feeling right now, inside, I want to share with you, and I want to do everything in my power to see you smile. Kelly, stop me if you want to but..."

I opened my eyes, tears brimming around the edges due to his confession. I could see his own, looking down, intensely, at me. Reaching up to stroke the scar above is eyebrow, the silence engulfed the situation, allowing me to bask in the moment. I didn't knew what I was feeling, but I knew something inside of me was fluttering, uncontrollably, but it felt right. My mouth opened, slightly, waiting for his next move, because for some reason, I was speechless.

Without warning, I felt warm lips upon the side of my head. I took a sharp intake of breath as his lips trailed my face, being careful to not touch my lips. Closing my eyes, his tender lips gradually moved to my jaw line, and I could feel how careful he was trying to be. Trying to suppress the moan that was threatening to escape my mouth, I reached out to his shoulders where I rested my hands, and leant towards him even more.

Suddenly I felt his weight off of me, and I groaned at the lack of him. Opening my eyes, I could see him staring back at me, dazed.

"Trevon..." I whispered, not wanting him to stop. He used one hand to stroke the side of my face, then removed the stray hairs that rested on my forehead.

"Kelly," He replied, watching my face for what was probably a few senconds, but felt like forever, before reaching over to the white dress and handing it to me. I winced at him addressing me, incorrectly, but I quickly brushed it aside, before he suspected anything. "Try it on. I know you have your eye on it."

Peering down at the dress, I pushed back the insecurities at the back of my mind, and agreed to. Approaching the changing room, I undressed from my work clothes, and began to wear the dress. Not being able to reach the long zip, at the back, I had an internal battle as to whether I should request Trevon's help or leave it alone. I chose the first option, as if he wanted me to twirl, I didn't want him seeing my whole back exposed like that. Clearing my throat, I called aloud, hoping my voice wouldn't expose my nerves.

"Trevon?"

"Yes?"

"Could you...?" I choked, then paused for a moment, I coughed slightly again to compose myself, before giving myself a 'you can do it' nod to my reflection, and carrying on. "Could you help me with the zip, please?"

Seeing the curtain door open, I moved my hair to one side so he had full access to my back. Keeping my gaze to the ground, I waited for him to finish so I could show him the whole thing. When I didn't feel anything, or hear the zip go up, I looked up at him, through the mirror, in confusion.

"You okay?" I chuckled, nervously, as I watched him gaze at me. His facial expression was so unreadable, that I couldn't tell what his reaction to me in the dress was. Suddenly feeling very self-conscious, I began to brush away the invisible dirt and creases on the, already, pristine dress. Finally I could feel his hands at the base of the dress, pulling the zipper up in a very prolonged manner until it was at the same level as my shoulders.