As I watched Aeliana turn around, trying to gather her clothes from the wardrobe, I couldn't resist leaning against the doorway, crossing my arms, and just watching her for a moment.
Her face was still flushed from my teasing, and I could tell she was trying her best to act normal, though the way she fumbled with her blouse told me otherwise.
"You know," I said, my voice deliberately casual, "it's a bit distracting, seeing you so flustered."
Her shoulders stiffened, and she turned halfway to glare at me. "I'm not flustered," she said, but the redness creeping up her neck to her cheeks betrayed her words.
I pushed off the doorframe and took a few steps closer, moving quietly behind her. "Oh, no? You seem a little... off your game." I whispered the last words softly into her ear, my breath brushing her skin. She shivered slightly, and I grinned, satisfied with the reaction.
Aeliana huffed and turned around quickly, pushing me back with both hands. "I'm trying to get dressed, Ciara! I can't concentrate if you're... if you're..." Her voice faltered as I tilted my head and gave her a playful smile.
"If I'm what?" I teased, inching closer again.
Her eyes narrowed, but the corner of her mouth twitched upward as if she was trying to suppress a grin. "If you're doing... this," she said, waving her hands vaguely in my direction as if to encompass all of my teasing behavior.
I couldn't help but laugh at how cute she looked, trying to be stern but failing miserably. "I'm not even doing anything," I said innocently, though I was absolutely not innocent. I was having way too much fun watching her squirm.
She groaned, turning back toward the wardrobe in a huff. "You're impossible."
"Oh, I've heard that before," I said, standing behind her again and leaning just slightly over her shoulder as she grabbed a pair of pants. "But you still haven't told me what I'm doing to distract you."
Her hands faltered for a moment as she tugged at the waistband of her pants, and she finally turned to me, hands on her hips, exasperated. "You're standing too close! And whispering in my ear! And being all... you!" she said, looking both flustered and frustrated in the cutest way possible.
I chuckled softly, stepping even closer so that there was barely any space between us. "Me?" I asked, voice soft but teasing. "What exactly does that mean?"
Aeliana rolled her eyes, but she didn't move away. Her gaze flickered down for just a second before quickly meeting mine again. "You know what it means."
I raised an eyebrow, enjoying the challenge in her voice. "Maybe," I said, letting my hand trail lightly down her arm, "but I like hearing you say it."
She opened her mouth, probably to give me some sassy retort, but instead, she froze as my fingers brushed her hand. Her breath hitched, and for a second, I saw her facade crack. She tried to pull away, but I caught her wrist gently, tugging her back toward me.
"Ciara," she started, her voice soft now, almost uncertain.
"Yes?" I replied, my voice low, teasing. I knew exactly what I was doing, and she knew it too.
She let out a soft groan, turning her head away to avoid my gaze. "I'm trying to get ready. You're making it impossible."
I grinned, taking advantage of the small victory. "Oh, I can make it much more impossible if you'd like."
Aeliana's face turned an even deeper shade of red, and she shoved at my chest lightly. "You're the worst!" she exclaimed, though the laughter in her voice made it clear she didn't really mean it.
I took a step back, giving her some space but not before flashing her a wicked smile. "Only for you, Aeliana."
She sighed dramatically, shaking her head, but I caught the smile tugging at her lips. "How am I supposed to get anything done with you around?"
I shrugged, leaning against the wardrobe this time. "You'll figure it out. Or I could help you." My tone suggested I wouldn't be much help at all, and I knew she picked up on that from the way her eyes widened in mock horror.
"No! Absolutely not," she said, backing up slightly and clutching the blouse she had just picked out to her chest. "You stay over there while I finish."
I put my hands up in surrender, though the grin didn't leave my face. "Okay, okay. I'll behave. For now."
Aeliana narrowed her eyes suspiciously. "I don't trust you."
"Smart," I said, laughing softly. "But I promise I'll be good. Scout's honor." I held up my hand, pretending to take the pledge.
She just shook her head, turning her back to me once again as she finally started getting dressed. I stayed true to my word mostly.
I didn't say anything, but I couldn't resist the occasional lingering glance at her as she pulled her clothes on. She was just too cute when she was flustered, and I loved seeing the way her body moved, the way her shoulders tensed and relaxed as she tried to focus.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity of her avoiding my gaze, Aeliana pulled her shirt on and turned to face me, looking somewhat victorious, as if getting dressed without me teasing her further was some kind of achievement.
"There. Done. Are you happy now?" she asked, hands on her hips again.
I walked over to her, my smile softening as I brushed a strand of hair away from her face. "I'm always happy when I'm with you."
Her expression faltered for just a moment, and I could see the way her walls came down, just slightly. She tried to hide it with a roll of her eyes, but the soft blush that crept onto her cheeks gave her away.
"You're such a sap," she mumbled, but there was no real bite to her words. In fact, she stepped closer, letting her fingers brush against mine as she reached for my hand.
I leaned down, pressing a soft kiss to her forehead. "And you love it."
She didn't respond, but the small smile on her lips was answer enough.
"I really should be mad at you for teasing me so much," she said after a moment, her fingers still intertwined with mine.
"Oh, you can get mad later," I replied, giving her hand a gentle squeeze. "But for now, I'm enjoying this."
She sighed, leaning into me for just a second before straightening up. "I guess I should actually finish getting ready."
I raised an eyebrow, glancing her over. "I don't know... I think you look perfect just like this."
Aeliana's cheeks flushed again, and she nudged me with her shoulder. "Stop flirting and let me finish!"
I laughed, stepping back to give her room to move, though I couldn't resist one last parting comment. "Just so you know, you're absolutely adorable when you're all flustered."
She groaned, throwing a shirt in my direction as I dodged it with ease. "You're going to be the death of me, Ciara."
I grinned, catching the shirt and tossing it back onto the bed. "But at least you'll have fun along the way."
She shook her head, laughing despite herself. "I really don't know how I put up with you."
I gave her a playful wink. "You put up with me because deep down, you love it."
Her laughter filled the room as she returned to her task of getting dressed, and I couldn't help but smile at the easy, playful atmosphere between us.
After the flurry of teasing and finally getting dressed, Aeliana took my hand, leading me downstairs toward the kitchen.
I could already hear the faint clinking of plates and the soft chatter of voices from her family below. My heart was light, the playfulness between us still lingering in the air, and I couldn't help but glance at her as we walked side by side.
"You think they'll bombard us with questions again?" I asked with a grin, recalling last night's teasing from her parents and Lily.
Aeliana rolled her eyes, though there was a smile playing on her lips. "Oh, definitely. I'm surprised they didn't stay up all night waiting for more gossip."
We reached the bottom of the stairs, and the moment we stepped into the kitchen, Aeliana's mom, was already smiling brightly at us. She stood by the stove, flipping pancakes like it was the most natural thing in the world, her energy cheerful.
"There they are!" her mother beamed, turning to us. "The lovebirds."
Aeliana groaned, but I chuckled, squeezing her hand. "Morning, Mom."
Her father, was seated at the table, already halfway through his meal. He looked up with a teasing smile. "Slept well, Ciara?"
Before I could answer, Lily popped up from the other side of the table, her eyes bright with excitement. "Oh, I bet they did! You know, I always thought Aeliana would be single forever, but now that you're here—"
"Lily!" Aeliana interrupted, her cheeks flushing as she pulled out a chair, clearly hoping to change the subject. I couldn't help but laugh, sitting down beside her.
"Thanks for the vote of confidence, Lily," Aeliana muttered, but there was no real annoyance in her tone, just embarrassment.
Lily, leaned across the table and grinned. "What? I'm just saying! Ciara's basically a miracle worker."
I leaned back in my chair, enjoying the banter. "I'll take that as a compliment."
Aeliana mother set a plate of pancakes in front of us, smiling at the scene. "Well, either way, it's nice to see Aeliana so happy."
Aeliana's gaze softened for a moment as she glanced at me, her eyes warm. I returned the look, feeling the comfortable, happy energy surrounding us. Even with the teasing, it felt... right.
Breakfast continued with laughter and playful jabs, the atmosphere light and warm.