"Jeez.... Listen to me, sounding like a melodramatic toddler." Alex, cheeks reddened by emotions, raked his fingers through his dark hair, ending up looking like he just fell out of bed. It suited him well.
"Come on, show me your new place." He took Delila's hand and started to walk up to the front door. Momentarily confused by his abrupt change of tone, it took her a few seconds to find her voice: "Alex, wait...." She pulled her hand away. "So now it's suddenly just my new home again?"
He turned around and shrugged his shoulders, an apologetic grin playing on his lips. "The house just caught me by surprise. Truth is, I haven't been here in a very long time, and wouldn't you have brought me, I probably wouldn't even have thought about it again for God knows how long. Since the divorce it has been sitting empty, only looked after by whoever dad has hired to make sure it's kept clean and serviced. As it happens, I don't know why he hasn't sold it already. So, it would be rather petulant of me to not be happy that you found a place that clearly excites you this much."
One brow raised, she shot him an incredulous look. "That sounds awfully mature compared to the little outburst from before...."
He took a step towards her, engulfing her in a one-armed hug, only to let his arm stay on her shoulders and lead her up the stairs. "I promise: I am fine, the house is fine, everything is fine, and I am happy for you. Would you now please show me this super new home of yours?"
Not yet fully convinced, she decided to just go with it and let him have it his way. She still loved the little cottage and as every house had its own story, she wasn't actually too bothered by all of it. If anything, it was a place built to be a family home and out of love. Considering reasons to build houses, it really didn't get much better than that.
....
Standing in the cozy living room, Alex was staggered. Of course, the layout, floors, windows, and walls were just as he remembered, but everything else not so much. "And you say he rented it to you already fully furnished?"
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"Yeah, he did... is that a problem? Too many memories?"
"No, not at all. In fact, when I told you before that it sat empty for more than 20 years, that's exactly what I meant: the cottage had been completely empty, no furniture, no carpets, no curtains.... nothing."
"You mean..." Alex interrupted her: "I mean he must have had it decorated just for you."
Delila seemed almost shocked, but Alex suddenly found it all very amusing: "That sly old dog!"
"You sound impressed?"
"Oh, I am!" Slowly he walked through the little hallway into the kitchen that also served as dining room. "Would you look at that?" He uttered under his breath. His father really had gone out of his way with setting this whole place up.
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Behind him he heard Delila taking in a sharp breath: "He even had groceries delivered?"
"Well, that's my father for you.... the man has never even heard of words like subtlety or restraint."
Suddenly Delila blushed furiously and turned abruptly to inspect the contents of the fridge. With an almost triumphant "yes!" she emerged again, holding a chilled bottle of white wine: "I don't know about you, but I could really use a drink. And forget the takeout I promised you, I am gonna fix us a late lunch... I mean, no need to go shopping first anymore..."
Somewhat baffled he watched her bustling around in an almost hectic rush, opening drawers, cupboards, and cabinets. After she seemed to have found everything she had been looking for, she calmed down a little and started to open the bottle of wine. Taking two long-stemmed glasses from a shelf, he set them down on the counter next to her. Standing right behind Delila, he carefully moved her fiery locks from her shoulder and leaned down to plant soft kisses along the line of her neck. Immediately he felt her stiffen and breathe: "Don't..." But she didn't move and so he continued to let his lips travel further, moving the fabric of her shirt a little to reach even more of her creamy skin. That's when he saw them: Those weren't only hickeys, those were love bites... someone had made damn sure to leave marks that told a very clear story: this woman had been taken and claimed!
