Their hands remained entangled as they walked out through the gate.
"I would love to see what the well looks like during the day. The well and everything else in here." She took a last glance at the wishing well.
"We can always come back. Or we could stay here for the rest of the night." He suggested.
"Let's come back some other day." She didn't think she was able to stay up the whole night, especially not after the turmoil she had been through earlier.
"When you are ready to come back, just say the word and I'll be there." He kissed her cheek before pulling her to a wooden bench in the park. "Maybe I should get a blanket? It might get colder."
She snuggled into his chest and pulled his arms around her, hugging them to her chest. She inhaled his scent that made her feel safe, instantly feeling warmer. "I feel better now."
He smiled at her words, his heart melting into a puddle. Not too long ago they hated each other so much that they couldn't stand the thought of working in the same building. Who would have thought that the situation would turn around so quickly?
She could even climb onto his lap and snuggle onto him for warmth and security. He took her hand and tangled their fingers, pulling her closer to his chest. "You look so lovely right now."
"Tell me about it." She hummed in satisfaction. She wondered whether he was a natural sleeping pill-she would feel drowsy as soon as he hugged her. Or perhaps, being in his arms was just too comfortable.
"You look like a kitten-a cute, fluffy one that's in her comfort zone." He plucked her ears teasingly.
"You didn't strike me as a cat person." She laughed in disbelief. What was up with the cat compliments?
"I am now." He smiled down at her. "I can't help it when so many of your actions remind me of one. Do you think we should adopt one?"
She raised her head to glance at him, making him change his mind immediately.
"You know what? I prefer you to an actual kitten." He laughed. "It would be fun to adopt a rival for Des, though. The little thing has been trying to hog you to himself."
She was amused by his complaint. "Nope. No one's going to create a rival for my Des."
"I knew I should have taken you out for dinner." he hummed in reluctance.
"Oh, Desmond." She burst into laughter. He was talking about the day he asked her how to make amends with the woman he had offended, when she had advised him to either ask her out for dinner or get her a pet. It was his decision to go for the pet and now he seemed to be regretting it?
"You know that I love you both, Desmond." She tilted her head and kissed the corner of his lips. "I love him because aside from being insanely adorable, he's also the first sincere gift I received from you. Of course I would treasure him."
"I never thought of him that way." He admitted, realizing that she was right.
She pinched his cheek. "That's because you were too busy playing the childish card and fighting with a puppy. My hair almost flew off!"
He laughed, pulling her into a tighter hug. "I love you so much, Zaria. I still can't believe you're mine. I mean, why would I ever deserve a woman as great and lovely as you? Sometimes I think this is all a dream, that I'll wake up and it will all be gone."
She looked at him, surprised. She never would have expected that he thought that way. She caressed the side of his face with her fingers. "I'm all yours, Desmond. And you wished for it to remain so forever so it will."
They couldn't sit on the bench for too long since it became uncomfortable, so he asked a bodyguard to arrange for blankets and pillows.
"Do you plan for us to spend the night here?" She asked as she watched him spread a blanket on the grass and place the pillows on one end.
"If you would like." He lay on the soft cotton blanket, resting his head against the fluffy pillow and beckoned her over. "Come on, don't be shy."
"You don't think we're going to accidentally awaken any inhabitants of the grass, right?" She chuckled as she sat on the blanket.
He pulled her to lay on his chest and pulled another blanket over them. "I don't think our luck is that bad. Are you scared of little creatures?" He couldn't help but realize that this was the second time she seemed concerned about them.
"Like butterflies and fireflies? Of course not." She smiled and tried not to think about what she dreaded.
"Don't worry. I'm right here to protect you." He kissed her forehead, resting her head on his chest.
She rolled onto her back comfortably, glancing at the sky. "What a pity, there are no stars tonight. They're all covered by the clouds. But at least we can gaze at the moon." She wasn't too much into stargazing but it wouldn't be a bad idea to do it with Desmond. Unfortunately, there wasn't much to gaze at now.
He nodded in agreement. "I guess the moon is an option too. But I'm lucky because I can gaze at your eyes. They're more beautiful than the moon and the stars."
"Did you just throw a pick-up line at me?"
"Did it work?" He asked in response, only to realize that she was staring at him. More specifically, at his lips.
"I want to kiss you so badly right now." Her voice lowered as she unconsciously bit her own lips.
"I don't know what you are waiting for." He swallowed, feeling his body start to heat up merely from hearing her words.
She supported her body on her elbow and smiled down at him, looking into his eyes before her head lowered to press her lips against his. His eyes reflexively shut as his senses flooded with the feel of her sweet, soft lips. He held the back of her head, caressing her neck as his other hand snaked its way around her waist. He pulled her onto him, gently sliding her hair away from her face as he pressed kisses on the corners of her lips.
His lips traced her jaw, kissing a trail down her neck. She planted her hands on his shoulders and lost herself in the passion of his kisses.
She grabbed the front part of his shirt and clumsily unbuttoned it as kisses rained down her neck and the top of her chest.
"Do you mind if I steal this away?" He gently asked, referring to her t-shirt which he was tugging.
"I'd rather have your hands all over me." She hummed and stretched her hands for him to take her t-shirt off with ease. His hands were all over her in an instant, igniting heat under her skin with kisses and caresses.
He grabbed the sides of his shirt and pulled it off his body, sending a few buttons flying as he threw it aside and wrapped his arms around her body.
She traced her palms down his body in awe. Even though the moon wasn't bright enough to see it very clearly, his chiseled body looked even more alluring under the dim light. "I'm sure international models would kill for your abs."
"Says the woman whose waist can make all men and women green with envy." He caressed her waist as his fingers moved upwards to her back.
"Men?" She chuckled, puzzled.
"They will be envious of me for having you." He held the back of her neck and kissed her lips again, as her hands trailed down his abdomen.
She rubbed her knee against him, sucking in a breath when he fondled her breasts through her bra. He looked at her to seek permission and when she nodded, he unhooked the back of her bra and cupped her boobs. He fondled her nipples, earning a gasp as her body went limp.
Gently flipping her onto her back, he held the sides of her shorts. "May I?"
"Just stop it." She chuckled and he froze, making her quickly realize the misunderstanding. "I mean, you don't need to ask. Are you also going to ask whether to slow down or quicken your pace later?"
"Does that mean… you're ready?" He confirmed, his pants feeling tighter by the second. She nodded with a flush of her cheeks. He unbuckled his belt, pulling his pants off along with his boxer briefs. He kissed her chest, sucking her soft skin as he unbuttoned her shorts and gently pulled them down her waist.
"Des…" She nervously tried to avert her gaze from his body.
He looked into her eyes and kissed her lips softly. "Trust me, my love."