Chasing Pavements

ten

10
-
𝚂𝚝𝚊𝚟𝚛𝚘𝚜

The night was vast and tranquil. There were no storms, and there were no massive, raging waves. In our brief period of solitude, the ocean provided peace and serenity. The wooden dock has been lit up, and a figure stood there with a hand on the waist. The cool breeze caressed my skin, and the hairs on the back of my nape stood alert. My heart began to race when my nose caught a whiff of intoxicating floral. I moved to the side to look for Elixir. Her shoulders were draped in a sheer white shawl. Her hair and dress flowed beautifully, framing her delicate features. The moon shone down on her, as if it recognized the goddess in front of me. I was aware that I did as well. Before I even saw her, my heart recognized her.

"Can't sleep?" In an attempt to start a conversation, I asked, and she responded with a long yawn. The corners of my mouth twitched.

She shakes her head from side to side, the frail strands of her hair swaying with her. "I slept, but only for a few hours."

I shifted my weight to lean against the railings, our eyes never leaving each other's holding gaze, and I felt tingles all over my skin. I knew these tingles weren't from the cold because I always felt them when I was with her.

I couldn't help but wonder if she sensed them as well.

Her mouth is agape, and her eyes are filled with determination. She steps forward with one foot, tightening her grip on the shawl. "I-" she says, turning to face the sea. "Thank you." My brow furrows as she says this.

"...For the other day," she says, taking another step forward. "I'm sorry you had to see me that way. It's very unusual for me-thank you. Because you were there." She flushes.

She walked as she spoke. Her hips, shawl, and silk gown swayed with each movement. "I'm extremely awkward. I'm truly sorry." With one final step, she comes face to face with my chest.

She was a tall woman, but fortunately, I was taller than most people.

"I- I wanted to give you something as a token of my appreciation." She puts her palms against my chest.

One hand remained flat against my pounding heart, while the other slid up to my shoulder. Heat was rushing up from my neck to my ears. As she leans up on her tiptoes, my heart beat faster. Her warm, soft lips pressed a sweet kiss on my cheek. My brain's engines and gears malfunctioned right then and there, and my heart took their place.

I could hear fireworks; butterflies flitted around my stomach; and wedding bells rang throughout the ship. She pulls away from me, her eyes closed. Her hands were still warm against my clothed skin, but I could feel lightning jolts in them. I allowed her to move away from me. She gives me a shy smile as she returns to her chambers. I keep an eye on her as she walks away.

Unconsciously, a hand reaches up to caress the spot she kissed. To avoid the constant tugging smile on my lips, I pursed my lips. I turned to face the approaching dock once she was out of sight. My chest felt warm, and I felt like a giddy adolescent in love.

The yacht came to a halt, and the crew gathered the ropes and lowered the small white flag. A flock of birds flew over our heads. My soldiers gathered in the center of the yacht. Elixir was nowhere to be found. The sun shone through the salty waters, clouds swirled, and the moon was about to set.

Perhaps she was sleeping. I was about to turn around and go to her quarters when I heard a raucous voice repeatedly calling my name. When I saw him, he cracked a grin instead of his usual brooding expression. The idiotic fucking bastard. I make my way down the yacht.

I took a step onto the wooded dock. Hauke Hardt, arms folded, his intimidating gaze passing over me. His menacing figure cracks a smile.

"Der Cousin!" he exclaims as he trots towards me, arms wide open.

I swerve to avoid his lunging hug, causing him to collide with Arson, who accepts it almost too eagerly. Hauke's face contorted into a look of discomfort and he pushes Arson away before zooming straight to me. All the men have swarmed out of large yacht.

"Hauke," I acknowledge his presence with a nod. "Please do not."

His shoulders sag, and a pout extends from his bottom lip. Arson, his long-term boyfriend, slapped him on the back of the head. Irritation is etched on his face as he chastises his boyfriend for not seeing him in a long time. Hauke pouts even more before encircling my captain and spinning them both while kissing. I shift my focus elsewhere. I didn't handle public displays of affection well, and I didn't understand why couples did it in public.

The men murmured as Strom marched down the pier, bags in hand, and a tiny figure behind him. I resist the urge to smile.

She glanced back, her uneasy eyes searching the unfamiliar terrain in front of her before they settled on me. She grants me a gentle smile. When she strutted down the pathway, it was as though a deity was heartened with me. Strom extended his hand to assist her, but she shook her head and kept walking towards me.

"Oh, my babe! This was the lovely lady I was referring to. Sie ist wie eine Göttin, nicht wahr?" Arson gushes behind me. "Sie könnte unsere dritte sein, aber es scheint, dass unser geschätzter Chef Anspruch erhoben hat." His speech softens as she meets me at arm's length. She's like a goddess, isn't she? She could be our third, but it seems that our esteemed boss, has taken claim.

I felt a surge of pride rush through me. I stood taller, like a conceited alpha male. It was comforting to hear that they knew who she was. The quicker they figure that out, the better.

"Come on, let's go." I extend my hand to her.

She rests a gentle hand on my own, grazing me with her warmth. The car in front of us came to a complete halt just in time. I unlocked the door for her, raising my hand and placing it on the back of her head to protect her from the metal rims. I rush in before giving my men a glance. Hauke just grinned knowingly.

I shut the door behind me.