He was waiting at the gate with flowers. Valentina was impressed with the arrangement of lilies, snapdragons, tulips, curly willow, white star of Bethlehem, bay and eucalyptus. She felt like she was in one those romantic comedies, where the male lead was making his grand romantic gesture to win back the female lead’s affections. For a moment Valentina wondered if he felt like he needed to win her affections back.
Eli stood tall, wearing a tan waistcoat, matching his pants, over a dark brown shirt. His hair was combed back neatly, and he smelled of cologne and chlorine. Eli greeted her warmly, hugging her to his chest. Valentina surprised him by suddenly pushing her lips into his. She’d been planning ways to greet him since an hour before she landed. Ultimately, she left it up to instinct. After all, it was that same instinct that inspired him to kiss her in the first place. Valentina dropped her bag and threw her arms around his neck. Eli held her tighter. Any worry that he would reject her kiss evaporated as he moved his mouth against hers.
Honestly, Eli was as concerned about rejection as Valentina was. He’d been at the airport for an hour before her plane even touched down. Despite their correspondence, Eli was still shaken over Valentina’s cold temperament after their night together. The knot it his stomach tightened when he saw her emerge from her plane, bundled in a scarf and slim cut felt coat over a dress or skirt. He couldn’t see much but hem of steel grey in a pleat and Valentina’s long legs and heeled boots. She eyes were nervous as she looked around, looking for a familiar face. But when her eyes fell on Eli, the smile that graced her lips made his heart lighter than it had ever felt.
“I missed you. I know it was only a few days, but I missed you.” He told her when they finally broke their kiss. Eli met her eyes. She was wearing make-up, but her scar was uncovered. It wasn’t something even remotely important, but it made Eli happy.
“I missed you too. I’ve got so much news. But first… Can I take you out to dinner, Eli?” She curled into his arms and took the flowers from him. With just one arm around her, Eli lifted her bag, and led her from the airport. “These flowers are amazing, Eli. They are just perfect.”
“I’m glad you like them. I had them arranged special, for you. And dinner sounds nice. Would you like me to take you home first? You could drop off your bag if you wanted.” Eli offered, opening doors for her along the way. Eli was a gentleman, Valentina knew that much, but an unanswered question hung between them. Was he a gentleman, or was he her gentleman? Hopefully their dinner would result in some answers.
She expected to see a cab waiting for them, or maybe whatever Levi drove with Levi in the driver’s seat. But Eli didn’t have a car waiting to pick them up. He had a car waiting in the parking lot. And it was a Mercedes. He put her bag into the trunk, and then opened the passenger side door for her.
“This is yours?” Valentina couldn’t help but sound incredulous. As she slid into the leather seat, she ran a hand over the glossy black ash wood of the interior. Eli slid into the driver’s seat beside her. The car was filled with the latest of luxury features. Valentina looked over at him as he put his keys in the ignition, “Is this a new car?”
“Yes, it was my Christmas gift to myself.” Eli smiled ask he started out of his parking space. “Levi and I had some talks about adulthood. And me acting more like one. I decided some things in my life needed to change. For the better.” Eli told her mentally.
“Oh? What kind of event would inspire that kind of conversation and buying a Benz?” Valentina leaned back in the seat, relaxing.
YOU ARE READING
Looking For A Legend (Book 1)
Misterio / SuspensoA young telepath is unexpectedly left with leading his class when his teacher takes leave. One of Elijah's new students Valentina leads him down a path where mysteries only get more mysterious and nothing is as simple as it looks.
