Towards the end, there will be a song that I'd like you to listen to while reading it. There is a link there, it's in bold. It took some time for me to time it properly so please at least consider it. If not, it's alright I hope you enjoy. Feedbacks are always nice BTW
You woke up to the sound of chirping birds and the sea. Confused, you looked around and found that the source of the sounds were Levi's alarm clock that read 6:00 PM. A piece of paper was placed right next to it with words, " I'm at the balcony," written in script with gold ink. You sat up and found your dress and heels neatly placed at the end of the bed. You dressed yourself and headed towards the bathroom to fix your hair and make up. When you walked out of his bedroom, you noticed the trail of rose petals that led towards the terrace. The aroma of the flowers filled your lungs as you took in the sight before you. The terrace had candles everywhere and in middle of it all, a circular table with two plates, eating utensils, food, wine and a candle. Levi lived at the penthouse which gave you a beautiful view of the city below and the sunset. You walked outside going to the railings and watched the sunset and the life below. It was perfect, but the man you were slowly falling for wasn't there. As if on cue, you felt two arms wrap around you as he stood behind you. He rested his chin on your shoulder and whispered, " Did you sleep well?"
A grin appeared on your face and you replied, " Yeah, I'm sorry I didn't get to help with the food though."
Levi pecked your cheek and said, " That's alright. You did your part and I wouldn't have been able to set up this place and surprise you if you were awake."
You chuckled as he gently pulled your arm to lead you to the table. " It's amazing Levi. You really know how to make a girl feel special."
He suppressed a blush while he sat down across from you.
" So, what's for dinner?"
" Pasta jardiniere au fromage, ratatouille niçoise, et chardonnay" Levi answered in his native language as he poured you a glass of wine.
" Ah, so you're French? That explains a lot."
He raised an eyebrow, confused. " Well, you seem like the romantic type, you're one hell of kisser, and you certainly know how to treat a woman," you explained.
He stifled a laugh. Those are not really the words his friends would use to describe him. "How about you, hmm? What explains your brash and confident behaviour?" he asked, genuine curiosity plastered on his face.
" Confident? Yes. Brash? No."
" If I remember correctly you did beat up a guy in the train."
" If you're talking about the creep in the train, we both know he deserved it. My father kinda taught me self-defense when I was younger which explains how I managed to scare him away." 'Well, it's not really a lie' you thought.
" Oh, that's nice. Pretty useful for your hard-partying lifestyle, I imagine."
" What makes you think I go out a lot?" you questioned with a bit of a defensive tone.
" Friday morning, when I saw you on the train. I'm pretty sure you were on your way home from another one night stand, yes?" he says, oblivious to the fact the topic was making you uncomfortable.
" Yeah, something wrong with wanting to have fun?" You were a bit upset, is he judging you?
He noticed the crease on your forehead and apologized, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to upset you. And to answer your question, no there's nothing wrong with that. Besides, I have no right to judge."
You looked up and saw a minuscule smile and you smiled back.
" Bon appetit!"
" Merci!"
A comfortable silence fell between you two as you ate and finished the tasty food he had made.
" Mmm, where did you learn to cook so good?" you asked, satisfaction plastered on your face.
" My, um, mother likes to cook on her spare time and I helped out."
" That's nice. My mother couldn't cook for shit." You uttered between your giggle. " Speaking of which, let me get the dessert."
Levi watched as you walked away like a proper lady. Head up high, back straight, and hips swaying with every step you took. His heartbeat was unusually fast as you walked towards him with the bowl in hand.
" Alright, I don't really think this is considered a proper dessert it's more like a snack to me, so lower your standards." You informed him with a shy smile on your face as you handed him a fork.
" It's fine. I'm sure it'll taste good." He said trying to comfort you as he took a bite.
You were frozen, you didn't know if he'll like it or if it tasted good. You were never that good with baking. He chewed slowly, the stoic facade still in place as he swallowed.
Ah fuck, he doesn't li-
" This is actually FUCKING good." He said as he took another bite.
You released the air you didn't know you were holding in. " Really? You're not just saying that, are you?" You asked, still a bit unsure.
" No, no, it's great. I've never tried anything like it. What is it called?" He replied with a reassuring smile.
" It's a mango graham cake. It was the only thing my mom taught me to make." 'Besides making babies,' you taught. " Whenever I was upset or there's an occasion, she'd buy the ingredients and we'd make it together." You continued. A smile was visible on your face though you didn't seem happy. Your eyes held sadness and memories only you will remember. A Mona Lisa smile.
Levi, sensing something went awry asked, " Do you want to talk about it?"
" No, it's alright. I'm fine. She, um, died when I was 13. " you replied, looking down on your two hands.
You felt a finger lift your chin up and your e/c eyes met Levi 's gentle ones. " Hey, look at me. It's okay. Everyone dies. That's life. The sooner you accept that, the sooner you'll make peace with it." He whispered, trying to comfort you.
You bit your lips but could not keep in the laughter. " Ahaha! Is that - really how you - comfort people about - their dead relatives?" You muttered between your laughter.
" Well it worked, didn't it?" He smiled sheepishly. He knew that wasn't his strongest suite but surprisingly it worked. He stood up and turned on the speakers.A soft, gentle, melody (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_GXOdpd8q7E played as he walked towards you. " Come on, let's dance."
" Um, uh, ok," a blush on your face appeared as he took your hand and placed his other on your waist. You avoided his eyes as you two swayed slowly to the rhythm of the music. You felt butterflies fluttering in your stomach. This kind of intimacy is unfamiliar to you. Oh but you liked it. God, how you loved it. The close proximity, the absence of carnal desires, the innocence of it all. Your heartbeat was pounding so fast and loudly. You've had sex with this man, and yet you couldn't look at him in the eye for more than a second. What is this sorcery?
Unbeknownst to you, he was asking himself the same questions. All his problems and the rest of the world somehow vanished when you were with him. His heartbeat accelerated, and a warm feeling spread.
'Is this what they call love?' He wondered.
He moved his arm and spun you so that his arms wrapped around you, your back pressed against his hard chest.
" Is there something wrong? You seem out of it." He whispered, as he rested his chin on your shoulder.
" No, no, nothings wrong. It's just that, I - um"
" Hmm?"
He held your chin, forcing you to look at his captivating grey eyes. The butterflies intensified and you quickly looked away.
"The view. It's so beautiful. All those pretty lights and life." You replied, trying to hide your anxiousness.
" Yes, it is a beautiful view." He said, not looking at the city, but at you. The way the light illuminated your face, the way your eyes showed mysteries but somehow had the answers, the way the music played just for you two. The rest of the world didn't matter to him anymore.
And in that moment, he knew.
' I - I love you.' He thought.
You abruptly turned your head, and looked up at him.
" You do?" A smile crept up on your face as you felt a fire ignite inside of you.
" Sorry?" Levi responded, not sure what you were talking about.
" Oh, um sorry, I thought I heard you say that you-" you muttered, with a hint of disappointment and let go of him, " Never mind."
His eyes widened realizing his mistake and haphazardly answered, " Yes. I think love you."
He cupped your cheek with his hand and pulled you closer.
" No, I love you."
Without any hesitation, you answered with a smile.
" I love you too."
And you two stayed like that for awhile, taking some time to understand what just happened. His eyes memorizing every detail of the night. The way your h/c hair framed your delicate face, the way your eyes reflected the lights, the way your heart felt against him. He saw nothing but you, and felt nothing but the warm feeling you ignited. Finally realizing the events that unfolded you placed your hands on the back of his neck and looked at his firm lips, then back at his grey orbs.
You both felt desire for one another, but not lust. No, you both wanted something different. You didn't want to have sex with the man, nor did he with you.
Instead, you wanted to make love with one another.
He leaned down slowly, and caressed your cheeks.
And I wanna remember this night
And how my words never came out right
It's just my patience that keeps me alive
Just like all those pretty lights
Just like all the pretty lights in the sky
He kissed you. It wasn't greedy, or rough, or fast. Rather it was slow, gentle, and soft, as if he was kissing the petals of a delicate rose. Your emotions overflowed as you kissed him back. You followed his lead and moved accordingly. He took his time with you and made sure you felt pleasure with every simple movement.
He pulled away from you, leaving you yearning for more.
"Y/n, I want to make love to you" He confessed.
