“Twelve,” he replies with confidence. “You drew us in front of the Eiffel Tower, and I was on one knee handing you a pink flower.”
I arch a brow. “You have a very good memory.”
He shrugs, smiling into his glass.
“Is that why you have been buying me some variation of pink flowers?”
He nods, reaching out to thread his fingers through my hair. I left it down and wavy because he told me he loves my hair like that. “Thank you for taking a chance on me, Lili. And forgiving me for breaking my promise to you.”
“Except you didn’t.” I put my glass down, not wanting to drink it so fast. It’s the only alcohol I’m allowing myself tonight as this is my last week of classes before we have a study week and then my finals start. I need to have a clear head in the morning. I hook my pinkie around his. “You didn’t consciously break your promise to me. I see that now, and I’m not letting what thosegirls did come between us ever again.” They’re all behind bars awaiting trial.
“You are too good for me, angel.” He leans in and kisses me. “And I think I’m addicted to kissing you.” He punctuates the statement with a slew of drugging kisses dropped on my lips and along my jawline, gathering us our fair share of side-eyes. But I don’t care. I have dreamed of this, and nothing or no one is taking it from me.
A throat clearing breaks us apart as the red-faced waiter stands awkwardly at the table holding two large bowls of pasta.
“Can I get you anything else to drink?” he asks after depositing pasta, bread, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and a bowl of freshly grated parmesan on the table.
“I’m fine, thanks.” I still have some of my prosecco, and we have a large jug of water on the table.
“I’ll take an Italian beer,” Caleb says, and the man walks off.
We chat and laugh as we eat, and I’ve never felt more comfortable with another living soul. We feed one another forkfuls of our dishes, in between kisses, and I’m so deliriously in love I feel like shouting it from the rooftops.
After, we take a stroll through Little Italy to walk off some of the food before Caleb drives me back to my apartment.
“I’d invite you to stay, but I have an early start in the morning, and we both know what’ll happen if you come in,” I say at the door.
“This next month is going to be hell,” he says, tugging on some of my curls.
“I know, but then I’m free!”
“I can’t wait.” He lifts me up and spins me around.
“Caleb, you’re making me dizzy,” I giggle, planting my hands on his shoulders.
“What are you doing to me, my Lili, hmm?” He nuzzles his lips against that sensitive spot under my ear. “You’ve cast a spellon me.” Slowly, he lowers my body to the floor, ensuring I feel every hard inch of his magnificent body on the way down.
“It must be the same spell you’ve cast on me because I’m equally enchanted.”
“You own me, Lili.” Taking my hand, he places it on his chest in the place where his heart beats. “You own me so completely.”
“The feeling is definitely mutual.” I stretch up and peck his lips. “And I love I can kiss you and touch you anytime I want.”
He spreads his arms out. “I’m all yours. Take your fill.” He waggles his brows and I dissolve into laughter.
He pulls me into his arms. “Parting is such sweet sorrow that I shall say goodnight till it be morrow.”
“Oh my god. You cannot quote Shakespeare to me and then leave.” My heart is a pile of gloopy mush in my chest, and every part of me has this man’s name stamped all over it.
“Then let me stay.” His eyes bore into mine. “Just to sleep. I swear I won’t touch you or expect anything else. Just let me hold you, and I’ll drive you to campus in the morning.”
Gawd, it’s so tempting. I really want him to stay, but will I sleep if I’m in the same bed as him? “I’ve never slept with any man before.”
“Fuckface never stayed over?”
I shake my head. “He wanted to, but I always said no.”
“I love I get to have all your firsts, and you get to have all my lasts.”
