Ch. 6 - Public Display of Affection.
2001 Words
"I want to take it slow so we can gain each other's trust and maybe build from that?" I felt the anxiety slowly creep in again.
"I'd like that." He grabbed my hand gently in his, keeping it in the seat between us. "I bet you probably think I've slept with many women."
I swallowed hard, not saying anything but looking over at him.
"I'll be honest, I did. Not a single one of them actually cared about me, so I didn't care about them. It was meaningless. And I'm getting tired of meaningless." He sighed softly, his thumb rubbing my hand. He sounded relieved.
So he wanted an actual relationship. I felt a bit lighter, taking that he was being honest.
"I understand." I smiled at him then rested my head on his shoulder.
After a while, we finally arrived at a restaurant. He walked me inside and got us a table in the back. It was pretty much silent as we were nearly alone.
Dinner went surprisingly well. We ate vodka sauce pizza and had a few drinks, then he took me to the reflecting pool back in D.C. where we walked around.
With my arm linked in his, he showed me around while we talked. It was the most peaceful first date I had been on.
"It's getting late." He said as he looked at his watch. "Let's get you home."
Not wanting to end it yet, I stopped him before he could take me back to the car.
"Just one thing before we go?" I asked, holding his arm.
"Of course." A smile across his lips. "What is it?"
In front of the pool, he leaned forward when I motioned him closer. When he was close enough, I quickly wrapped my arms around his neck and kissed him on the lips.
A confused then content sound came from him as he wrapped his arms around my waist, pulling me in close. I could feel his lips pressing back, deepening the kiss.
We stood there entangled in each other's arms, slowly pulling away. There was a sense of familiarity with the kiss, but it was way better than I expected.
"That was way better... than I expected." He said, chuckling softly, his hand caressing my cheek.
He leaned in for another, his soft lips pressing against mine a few more times.
"Well, you got your kiss." I teased, grabbing his arm again as he escorted me towards his car.
"Such a lovely night, isn't it?" We both stopped in our tracks, carefully looking over our shoulders.
Star Sovereign behind us, levitating over the water. He drifted closer to us and landed on the ground. It felt like he was waiting for us.
Allistar pulled me behind him as he turned to face him. A rather upsetting look on his face as Star Sovereign got closer.
"What are you doing here?" Allistar nearly growled at him, guessing they don't get along very well.
"Out for a stroll myself when I spotted you two. Such an odd... couple." His words were harsh as he circled us, stopping when he came closer to me.
"Oh really? What makes us so odd?" I asked, my hand gripping Allistars arm. He wouldn't let me out from behind him as his arm kept me back, turning to face him.
A terrifying chill ran down my spine as I watched them. The air grew thick with tension, their eyes glaring daggers at each other.
Nothing about him seemed friendly at all. The smile on his face was fake, as if he were a TV host who hated the people on the show. His blonde hair was plastered back, while his mask hid his true intent.
"Well, look at you compared to him. Cheap clothes, shoes. Hanging out with violent people."
"f**k off, starshine. The only person here that's odd is you, ya creep." Allistar nearly lunged at him, but I managed to stop him in his tracks. He was so tense under my grip as his eyes never left Star Sovereign.
Star Sovereign just laughed, finding it amusing.
"Oh, testy. My guess is you agreed to go on this date with her so you could sleep with the new girl in town. Just like all the other girls that have come here." He sneered, chuckling under his breath as he watched Allistar ball his fists.
"Enough!" I snapped before Allistar could. "You're bored, self-righteous, and clearly egotistical."
He did not like that. His face twisted into disgust, taking a step forward, causing Allistar to do the same. I couldn't hold him back. Who was I kidding. This man was strong.
Feeling my body go numb and my headbuzz as the adrenaline pumped through me, yet I didn't stop there. "You're nothing more than a bully. Come on, let's go."
Getting between them, I felt Allistar grab my waist, walking back to the car. As we left him behind, I felt him slowly calm down, relaxing a bit as he pulled me under his arm and into the car.
The whole thing seemed strange. It almost seemed more targeted towards Allistar than me, but still. What's he playing at, and why does it seem Allistar hates him.
"I'm sorry." He apologized, keeping me close as we were driven back to my place. He was cooling down, taking deep breaths. We both relaxed, but the tension was still lingering.
"Why are you sorry? He's the jerk." I said, leaning my head on his chest. His heartbeat was nearly through the roof. He was so worked up.
"I know, but I got a bit too heated over the whole situation."
I shrugged, smiling softly up at him.
My mind wondered to the last time I encountered him and how he knew where I lived. Being alone might not be a good idea.
"I know we agreed to go slow, but..." I bit my lip, sitting up. "I don't want to be alone. The last time I encountered him... Well, he knows where I live. And I don't want to be alone if he shows up again..."
He stared at me for a moment. "How does he know where you live?" The intensity nearly returning, looking as if he was about to jump out of the car and go back for him.
I shrugged, shaking from the nerves and how upset he was getting. "I think he followed me home."
He scowled, agreeing to stay the night. His leg bounced aggressively as he stared out the window. His grip on me was gentle as I laid back on his chest.
We made it back to my place safely and into my apartment. I looked around, making sure we were actually alone.
Allistar followed behind, locking the door behind him. He still seemed rather annoyed at the whole encounter but tried to hide it as he walked around the apartment.
"Why don't you and him get a long?" I asked, going to the kitchen, grabbing a bottle of my hidden whiskey and a couple of glasses.
"Long story." He sighed, slowly walking over. He didn't elaborate at all, just taking his drink and downing it.
Following suit, I decided not to prod. If he wanted to tell me, he would. I offered him another, and he shook his head, walking over to my wall garden.
"These things are so neat." He smiled softly, checking out the mechanics of it. He was relaxing again. "Did you get this today?"
"No, my mom sent it down with some new seeds. I got it yesterday and set it up pretty quickly." I walked over to him, watching as he inspected it.
"What do you grow?"
"Herbs mostly." I showed him the packets that were in a little basket on the floor.
We talked for a while, leading to my room and sitting on the bed. Which soon turned into laying down, still talking as we cuddled together.
I still felt nervous about Star Sovereign, glancing out the window just to make sure he wouldn't appear. Sometimes, a shadow would pass by, sending shivers down my spine.
Each time I felt nervous, I laid my head on Allistars chest, listening to his heart and breathing. It felt so calming. I couldn't help but fall asleep.
*
"Come on, sleepy head, get up." I felt a pat on my butt, waking up from a dead sleep.
"What time is it?" I asked, yawning and stretching my tired away.
"About 6:30." He said, fixing my bed for me. His hair was brushed but full of waves and curls. He looked so much better that way.
"That's so early." I whined. Work didn't start until nine, but he didn't let me go back to sleep.
Instead, he told me to get dressed since he was taking me for breakfast. I teased, asking if it was a second date, but he wasn't joking when he said yes.
Getting dressed in my nice work clothes, I cleaned my face and brushed my hair and teeth. Following him out to his car, the chauffer left behind when going home himself.
We hopped in the car, driving off to another new place. Our fingers laced as he held my hand in his.
I stared at him, remembering last night when he got so enraged at Star Sovereign. The way he looked, his stance. He looked so powerful, ready to fight. It seemed so opposite of the man I usually see.
"What?" He asked, a soft smile on his lips as he glanced over.
"Nothing." I lied, smiling back at him.
He scoffed, grabbed my hand in his, and laced our fingers together. "Why are you staring at me like that then?"
"Because you're handsome. And I think he was right..." I looked out the window, thinking what Star Sovereign said.
"Who?"
"Star Sovereign. He... I'm not good enough for someone like you."
He slammed on the breaks, thankfully, in the parking lot where we were already headed to.
I gasped at the sudden stop, feeling my body fly forward only to be held back by my seat belt.
His grip on my hand tightened, not enough to hurt. Allistar was pissed, but he held it back, collecting himself as tears rolled down his cheeks. He cleared his throat.
"Allistar?" I asked softly, afraid he was going to snap at me. My chest felt numb as I watched him cool down.
I f****d up, I know it.
"Don't ever think that." He said, loosening his grip on my hand but not letting go.
"I don't care what that asshole says. It's never true. And I'm not perfect, I'm far from it but I'm working on that. If anything, I'm not good enough for you. But, something about you makes me want to be that perfect guy. The perfect man for you." His voice shook, kissing my hand and shutting off the car.
"Yesterday, getting to know you and being with you was the most fun I've ever had. And today isn't going to be any different."
I smiled at him, feeling better as tears ran down my face as well.
"So don't ever say that again. Okay?"
I nodded, wiping the tears away. "I'm sorry, I won't say that again."
"Good." He smiled gently, kissing me on the lips. He then got out of the car, escorting me inside.
We sat down at a nice booth. I could feel the eyes of some people following us as we walked in, a few whispers floating around.
"Ignore them." He said softly, putting his hand on the table palm up.
I placed my hand in his. His long fingers curled around my hand, making it feel small. I felt the heat rise in my face, feeling the eyes still on us.
The waitress returned, taking our order, then leaving us be.
This was a lot for me. The affection, the hand holding, the words of affirmation. Men always promised that, but he actually delivered.
- Writer
