And the winner is...

Chapter 5

They moored in Datça for lunch and some grocery shopping as Leyla was suddenly in the mood for wild berries and there were none in the fridge. They walked through narrow streets, with old brick buildings, shying away from busier touristic attractions and crowded beaches. Other people ware something foreign, like they didn't really exist.

On the way back to the marina, they stopped at the flower shop to buy lilac Şebboy flowers, Leyla's favorite. She was still a little bitter that all the flowers Emre brought her were now in Sanem's room – Leyla told her sister to take them so flowers wouldn't be in vain, but they were hers! Not fair!

Emre laughed at Leyla's annoyance:

- Well, Sanem is holding the fort for us, I say these flowers are well deserved! But also, if you want just as many flowers, you'll get them!

- Oh, no, Emre! Where would we put them on the boat, she's not that big to host a garden!

Emre smiled mysteriously and went ahead, hugging Leyla close to his body.

... ... ...

Reason for his smiling became clearer when they'd came back to Serena – flowers were everywhere! Little bouquets of Şebboy flowers of all shades of pink, violet and lilac were placed atop the deck, at the helm, at the stairs... together with little oil lamps... and the air smelled divine! Sweet, intoxicating, rejuvenating – and promising. Leyla swirled around to Emre's smiling face, looking hopeful and unsure at the same time. He asked before she could say anything:

- Too much? Not enough? Good?

Leyla flung herself to his arms, Emre catching her without a difficulty but almost dropping their grocery bag – but who cared!

- Emre, this is magical! How did you do it? You were with me the whole time!

He looked to the shore and nodded at someone – Leyla turned and saw a boy of 10-12 years maybe, holding up his thumb. Emre responded with the same gesture and the boy ran away.

Leyla followed the boy with her gaze and asked:

- Friend of yours?

- Kinda... He's friend of Serena, and I don't mean Patrick's mom, I mean the boat. He looks over her when she's here, runs errands and such...

- Oh... I didn't know boats have such a wide friend circle...

Emre looked around and touched a line straining the mizzensail gently.

- She's a good girl, she's been with us through a lot, she deserves some love and respect.

Leyla touched her fingers to Emre's shoulder, and he immediately refocused on her, quenching the tiniest pang of irrational jealousy Leyla had for a BOAT:

- Then she'd lucky to have you... as am I...

Emre bent down to put grocery bag at the deck and embraced Leyla properly when he'd gotten up. He kissed her softly on the cheek, right where her mouth curved into smile, and said:

- It's not even in the same realm. Others may have my affection, my friendship, my respect, my gratitude. You have my everything. I belong to you, Leyla!

- As I to you, Emre...

And she kissed him. Longer, deeper, harder... offering, demanding... and waiting.

... ... ...

They dropped grocery bag on the kitchen counter and probably nocked it off immediately because something definitely fell on the floor... but they didn't notice behind all the kissing and tugging at each other's clothes, hair, entire bodies. Leyla dropped her bouquet at the kitchen sink just a little more carefully but still – who cared about one bouquet if she had more of them adorning kitchen... settee... their bedroom...