If You Tell Me To Stay

Chapter 18

Can and Sanem walked back down the stairs, arm in arm. Can helping her walk again by taking some of the weight off her heels. Sanem hardly noticed her aching feet at that moment. She felt like she was floating on air. A smile was permanently plastered on her face. Can looked over at her and saw her smiling. And like always, he couldn't help himself but to smile in return.

The valet brought the truck around and they hopped in. Can paused with his hands on the steering wheel. I know I have to take her home. But I really don't want this night to be over. Maybe we could go somewhere else...? It's pretty late though. I don't know what would be open at this hour.

"Can, what is it? What are thinking about?" Sanem was still smiling from ear to ear. She felt like nothing could ever wipe her smile away.

"I was thinking that I don't want to take you home."

"Well where would you take me?" She giggled.

"My house."

Sanem held her breath and that smile she thought would never leave began to falter. His house? Alone? At night? I just had my first kiss, I'm not ready for... THAT yet. What if that's what he expects? Oh God. How do I tell him I'm not ready for that? Sanem began fumbling with her hands in her lap.

Can noticed the hesitation and saw her hands twisting together. Ugh, I'm doing it again. "No Sanem. I was thinking we could sleep at my house."

"Sleep..?" In the same bed? I mean, we have done that before. But as friends. Or whatever we were. But... as boyfriend and girlfriend... I don't know. It seems different.

"Just sleep." Can repeated. But he noticed she still seemed unsettled by the idea and it was as if he could hear her concerns. "You can sleep in the guest room again. I just..." he took a breath and grabbed one of her hands. He brought it to his lips and kissed her knuckles. He settled their entwined hands on her leg. "I just don't want to let you go yet. I want to say goodnight to you and I want you to be the first person I see in the morning. But I also don't want to push you. So if this is too much, you just say the word and I'll drive you home."

Sleep... in his guestroom... I guess I could do that. I also don't want this night to end. And I want him to be the first person I see tomorrow too.

Can watched her face as he waited for her response. He could tell she was thinking about it. He was still holding her hand and felt her other hand lay over his. She stroked her thumb on the back of his hand. She turned to face him and had a small smile tugging at her the corner of her mouth.

"Okay." She said simply.

"Yeah?" Can couldn't hide how happy that made him.

"Yeah." Her nerves all but disappeared. She trusted him. She knew he wouldn't pressure her into anything she wasn't ready for.

They drove back to his house and she took her shoes off as soon as she was through the door.

"Whew.. That's better." She walked over to the couch and sunk down. Dropping her heels on the floor.

"Why did you wear them if they hurt you." He asked her as he sat next to her on the couch.

"I wanted to look nice for you."

It really doesn't matter to me what she wears. But I like that she wanted to make an effort for me. Like me wearing a tux for her. "Sanem, don't wear shoes that cause you pain just for me. Though you do look absolutely stunning. " He gazed at her up and down. Can gestured to one of her feet, "May I?" He reached down slowly to grab one of her ankles, giving her plenty of time to pull away or make some kind of protest. Seeing as how she didn't even flinch, he took one of her legs in his hand and gently pulled it up onto his lap, causing her to spin around and lean against the arm of the couch. He began massaging her foot and she let out a content sigh at how good it felt to have his strong hands rubbing out all the pain her heels caused. "Mm. That feels really good. Thank you."