Anam Cara | Ian Kabra

[09]

The bed was warm the next morning, as Elvira opened her eyes, though, she noticed she was alone. Memories from last night got to mind almost at once and she instantly stood up in search for Ian. He wasn't in the room. She frowned slightly at the realisation as she headed to the bathroom. She had just gotten dressed when she heard the door of the room open. Curious, she walked out, only to notice Ian get inside. He was holding his phone at hand and his eyes fell first on the bed before he turned his attention to the bathroom, where she was standing. He sent her a small smile.

"Natalie called and I didn't want to wake you up so I left the room for a while," he explained the reason for his absense even before she had the chance to ask. She couldn't help but smile and nod at his explanation, however, he didn't manage to hold her gaze for long. At once, she got worried.

"Did something happen?"

She crossed the space between them as he looked up and shook his head. "No, it's nothing, just..."

He didn't continue. She gave him a chance to say something, finish his thought, but he never did. Still, he didn't really need to say what he meant for her to already know. She gently took his phone and placed it on a chair nearby as she looked up at him and took a small step closer.

"About last night?"

His shoulders fell and he let out a breath he hadn't quite realised he had been holding. He was grateful she spoke out loud what he was thinking. Part of him wanted to apologise for the way he had acted, but that was only a tiny part. The rest of him wanted to kiss her and not taste the wine on her lips. His gaze fell to her lips and he almost forgot to raise it back to her eyes. He swallowed, wet his lips without meaning to. Her expression was soft, patient. He took a small step forward, close enough to smell her shampoo and that perfume she always seemed to wear, smelling of something he couldn't quite place but had almost come to associate with her. He raised a hand to reach for her but caught himself in the last minute. He wasn't certain she wouldn't mind.

"Ian?" she probed gently as she peered up at him through her eyelashes. Ian forced himself to not cower. You're Ian Kabra, he told himself, she kissed you last night. Have some confidence!

He was usually confident in all he did and he never thought he had a problem with women before. At this point, though, he doubted he even remembered how to speak properly.

"Do you...Do you regret-"

"Not one bit," she cut him off, moving a bit closer. A weight seemed to have lifted from his shoulders, his lips parted.

"Can I kiss you?"

She found herself smiling at the question. "Yes."

Ian looked at her closely once more, as if trying to make sure he hadn't missed any sign she wanted to back down, although he soon found none. He leaned in the rest of the way, placing a slow kiss on her lips. She responded at once in the same manner as she moved closer, her hands moving to his shoulders and then to his neck, one of them moving to the base of his head. He reached over and pulled her closer from the waist as he picked up the pace. She matched it evenly and anything else fled from his mind. He felt as if he was at peace.

They pulled back for air but he didn't stop. His kisses trailed to her jaw as she backed up, getting them closer to the bed. He trailed his lips to her neck until she hit the back of the bed. She lowered herself down and he followed her descent, his lips ghosting over her throat before he reached up, met her lips once more. He let a hand trail down her body as he pulled back and her breath hitched. Their eyes locked for a moment as they both panted lightly.