Yes, Sweetheart

Chapter 17

Oh damn, the look on his face was priceless.

The wide eyes, the slightly agape mouth, shocked expression.

Dumbfounded, he nodded.

I scooted closer, and instinctively, his hands came up to rest on my waist. My hand not in his hair laid on his shoulder.

Gently, not wanting to pressure him as he never had for me, I pressed my lips to his.

So, so different. But so much more of a better fit.

It was sweet, kind, and generally a much gentler kiss than those I'd had, but not unpleasant because of it. The impression was that it meant something. It could get heated if it wanted to, but there was nothing to rush about, simply to be.

He pulled back, but didn't let go, and rested his forehead to mine.

"Are you sure? Really, Aria, if you don't want to it's totally fine, I wouldn't - "

"Of course I'm sure."

He checked with me, hesitant, but nodded, and pressed his lips to mine again.

I opened my mouth slightly, and he took the cue. My chest was heaving, trying to grab air.

He slid his lips from my mouth, dragging a trail along my neck, gently. Levi nipped at my neck; I shivered.

Running my fingers through his hair, I scraped his scalp when he paused.

"May I?"

He was still near my neck, and I nodded. Gingerly, he sucked at a small piece of skin. Always so considerate, he was, even in this.

I pulled on his hair, and he broke off with a groan. The hands on my hips tightened.

"Fuck, Aria."

It had been instinct, just a guess, but I was right.

For as much as he enjoyed having his hair played with, he liked having it pulled even more.

He crushed his mouth back onto mine, which I eagerly accepted. How I liked this man.

His forehead met mine as I pulled back a bit, willing the situation not to go anywhere too fast. I hadn't actually ever confessed anything, had I?

Whoops.

"Are you, was that alright?"

Levi, checking in on me again.

"Yes, I'm fine. It was perfectly fine."

He hummed, thoughtful, and dropped his head to rest on my shoulder.

"I do care for you, you know."

"Well I was hoping."

A nervous chuckle, emitted from his mouth.

"I do care for you," I clarified. "You've been nothing but good to me this whole time, and I suppose it's grown on me. I like that, like you."

His returning response was a ragged inhale.

Lifting his head, he met my eyes.

"I have feelings for you, Aria. I really do."

"I know."

He chuckled. It was a bold move, on my part, since I had doubted that. My 'oh-what-the-hell' attitude had passed, giving me a terrified moment.

What if he didn't want anything? If nothing ever materialized, did that just mean he wanted to get into my pants?