And the winner is...

Chapter 1

I know, I promised a ficlet, one-shot - it still is! The story just grew big enough to be divided by chapters but I promise to post chapters everyday till it's done =)

So, shall we?

- Where are we going, Emre-bey?

Emre casted a sideline glance at Leyla, took one hand off the wheel and locked it with Leyla's hand, pressing it to his chest and holding it there. His eyes were glued to the road, but somehow Leyla still felt him watching her. Emre's voice was silky, gentle when he'd asked:

- I thought we'd moved to the 'Emre' territory already? Now that we're married and all...

He brought her fingers up to land a soft kiss to every knuckle. Leyla shivered as something breezy travelled from his kisses to her head and down her spine. Her rational mind told her it was not supposed to feel like that, such an innocent gesture. But her irrational mind told her that she'd just gotten married out of the blue – she was still going over that in her head and wasn't ready to grasp her reasoning yet – so she might as well go with whatever else was new today! Such as this feeling, such as calling him 'Emre', such as having him to be her husband – forever and ever!

Leyla nodded and saw him smile – Emre was indeed watching her with his peripheral vision, she guessed it right! Leyla leaned forward a bit so it would be easier for him to see her when she spoke and Emre smiled more in appreciation of this gesture. Leyla asked again:

- So, Emre, husband, where are we going?

The car screeched to a halt and it was a really good thing that they were the only car on the road because Emre didn't even try to pull over – he'd just stopped! Emre turned to Leyla abruptly and grabbed her head, not a gentle touch at all, Emre's fingers digging into her sculp, as if he was afraid Leyla would dissolve into thin air if he lets her go now. He kissed her, fervently, hot, full in, exploring the taste of her, feeding on her response. Leyla kissed back, unsure first, but getting more and more riled up with the way his beard scratched her face, the way his touch burned so sweet against her skin. Leyla got lost in the kiss, got lost in the possibility of never letting go...

Emre surfaced first – maybe, for air, or maybe just to look her in the eyes – intense, honest, bright look, his widened pupils almost consuming the green circles. Emre whispered into her lips:

- Do you even realize it's real? That I get to have you, and you – me, for the rest of our lives? That nothing... and no one would be able to tear us apart now... wife!

Leyla closed almost non-existent distance between their lips and kissed him – tenderly, with promise, with hope.

- Yes, Emre. It's forever now.

He touched his forehead to hers, closed his eyes and inhaled in content. And Leyla felt like she could live the rest of their lives just here, just like this.

If it wasn't for the road traffic that has caught up with them and broke into their reverie with rude honking. Leyla whimpered in fright, Emre looked around and started the car again, speeding up slowly. He apologized:

- I'm sorry you got scared. I won't do it again.

Leyla's scare was short-lived, but her slow burn wasn't, and she felt as playful as ever. To that effect, Leyla suggested:

- By all means, do that again! Just, maybe, pull over first...

Emre gritted his teeth and squinted trying to focus his clouding eyes on the road. That woman had some magical effect on him, and Allah knows how long he'd survive when his wife finds out what kind of power she holds over him!