Believe it or not, I find this moment monumental in our relationship.
With a deep breath, " I'll keep it short, but...I got into an argument with David this week, and he said that I was a fuck up. But before that, since I returned, pretty much everyone I came in contact with has not wasted the opportunity to point out that I've ruined things...," I leave it at that before I say 'even you,'.
He regards me with pinched brows for a few seconds, absorbing the information. It is pretty common knowledge what has been discussed in the past months since my return. I've unburdened myself to Enid, Laira, David, Graham and it is no secret that when push came to shove, fingers were pointing my way. Even though, I was caught off guard by everything.
Grabbing my face between his hands, he holds me steady, forcing me to look at him, his gaze fixed on mine," You listen to me, and listen to me well. You. Are.Not. A. Fuck. Up." He punctuates every word, nostrils flaring," You did amazing, Canim. In spite of everything. Have there been hiccups? Yes, of course. But that doesn't make you fuck up. It's a learning curve for all of us, not just you. We adjust and adapt accordingly. You, shouldn't be ashamed or question yourself over things that you had no control over. There is only so much we can do. Just like everyone else. Tell me you understand, " But I'm not just like everyone else, and I'm pretty sure he is not either. Do supernatural beings get more free passes? Does the fact that I have so much power at the tip of my fingers absolve me of being accountable for my mistakes? I don't think it does.
So maybe, just maybe, when everyone was having a go at me, they were simply treating me just like they would treat anyone else in that position, bar the power out of the equation.
" I understand. I think I took it to heart because I considered David to be a friend. I guess, I was wrong," I say sullenly, and Mason slides his hands off my cheeks, letting them rest on my shoulders.
" As a friend, he should have been there to support you, not kick you when you're down. That's not friendship. It is being opportunistic. Not a desirable quality, if you ask me," I take a deep breath, willing my thoughts to quiet down. On a night like this, day-to-day issues are the last thing I should concern myself with. They'll still be there tomorrow.
I quickly peck his lips," Thank you, but can we talk about something else? Something that would help turn that frown upside down," I say lightly, and push the corners of his mouth upwards with my fingers.
" Of course we can, Canim. I'm just worried. We already have plenty on our plate as it is. The last thing I want is for you to worry about your friends being, well, downright uncouth to you," He threads his fingers through his hair still looking troubled.
" It's alright. I can deal with David, but for now, can we enjoy what's left of tonight? I'd hate for all of this to go to waste. I'm sorry I said anything, especially...," I trail off when he pulls me tight into his chest and kisses the top of my head.
Heaving a deep breath, " We celebrate good days and sulk over the bad ones together, remember? I'd like to do that with you for the rest of my life. I did this for us. Being able to share with me whatever bothers you, is just as important as anything else," He says quietly, the soothing rasp of his voice washes over me, easing my worries.
I nod into his chest and he lets out a breath of relief, just as the music comes to a stop. Slowly he pulls away from the embrace and kisses my forehead before changing the record on the gramophone to something a bit more moody, and romantic.
When he returns, he takes my hand in his and brings it to his mouth, placing a soft kiss on my knuckles. We were unable to share a dance during the party but having this intimate moment with him was worth the wait.
He drops my hand just as the soothing, angelic voice of a woman begins to fill the room, singing an ode to love. The last time I heard him listening to music, the song was about loss and grief. This one has a different feel to it and somehow it feels like a dedication. A proclamation of love.
" It would take more than a lifetime to show you how much I love you, but I think this is a good place to start," He rasps, as he tucks me into his arms, close enough to share a breath. With our eyes locked on each other, " It is," I say breathlessly, watching closely to catch the moment when his mood shifts from loving to predatory. And when it does, it is a seamless transition, barely there, his eyes shine for the briefest moment, catching the light from the candles right before they flutter close. Our lips brush, feather-light at first, slowly growing more intense, more demanding. His hand slip into my hair, pulling out the fascinator, it falls on the floor with a clink. In return I dig my hair into his luscious locks, pulling him closer, our bodies moulding against one another, fitting perfectly. This feels different from other times we made love. Unhurried, savouring this moment to its full extent, almost in tune with the song playing in the background.
The sweet rumble of his moan brings me back to reality just enough to feel his fingers sliding down the zipper of my dress. It falls swiftly on the floor, leaving me in the corset that has earned me so much praise. The reason my breasts were the true star of the show.
Breathless he pulls away from the kiss, his gaze slowly dropping from his face trailing down like a lover's caress. Slow, intentional, committing every single detail to memory.
" Fuck Canim," He gulps, his gaze drifts back to meet mine," You are the most beautiful woman I've ever seen," I know for a fact that is not true. He has been with far more beautiful women than I am. But still, I can help the way my body reacts to the praise. It melts me, softening those rugged edges, and snuffing out the doubt that has always been a constant companion.