ONE Night On His Bike

Shopping

---

*CHAPTER 16:

Monday evening.

He was waiting at the gate again.

*"No work talk tonight,"* he said the second I got on the bike.

*"What are we doing then?"* I asked.

*"We're shopping,"* he said. *"For you."*

We went to the mall.

Jeans that fit. Dresses. Soft sweaters. Two pairs of shoes. Even pajamas with little clouds on them.

*"This one,"* he said, holding up a yellow dress. *"It’s bright. Like you."*

I tried it on. Came out.

He went quiet for a second.

*"Yeah,"* he said. *"That one."*

We got back. Made dinner. No phones. No work talk.

After, we ended up on the couch under one blanket. Movie playing.

Halfway through his head was on my shoulder, arm around my waist.

When the movie ended we didn’t move.

We stood up and went to his room. About to sleep.

He held me tighter than before.

Our lips brushed. Once. Twice.

This time I didn’t hesitate.

I kissed him back. Hard. Like I’d been waiting to.

He made a sound low in his throat and pulled me closer, his hands in my clothes like he was waiting for me to say yes.

I took them off myself.

We didn’t talk after that.

Just each other. Close. Safe. Real.

I fell asleep in his arms, my voice hoarse from whispering his name.

Morning.

Sunlight.

He was still holding me.

*"Hey,"* he murmured, thumb brushing my cheek. *"Who was better?"*

I laughed, shy and warm.

*"You,"* I said.

He smiled at me. That slow, dangerous smile.

And I loved it.

*"Good,"* he said. *"Because I’m not letting you go."*

---