"Let me cook for you."
You had said it for years, and requested once more upon my first visit to your new home. Yes, I had wanted that, too. Every recipe was crafted with heart, the desire to make something so delicious it would bring me closer and closer to you. It wasn't very difficult, your culinary talent really did speak for itself. As did your presence.
Gentle, yet commanding. You're so much taller than I am, I have to crane my neck up to take in all of your delightful features if I stand too close. Broad shoulders and a hardened chest were accented with an immaculately groomed beard, the dark spindles of hair peppered with silver down the center, drawing a map to your enchanting smile. You kept your hair cropped close, but it was to be found decorating other parts of your body. I've lost count of how many times I've imagined how soft it would be as I ran my fingers up your strong arms, to splay them across the dark curls on your chest, stomach, further.
"How was it?"
The rumble of your voice, tinted with your charming accent, cut through my lascivious train of thought.
"Delicious, really. Thank you so much," I swallowed the last savory bite of the incredible meal you prepared and settled back into my seat, hearing the hinges creak beneath me. The smile you bore gripped my heart, pouring liquid heat down past my stomach. You went to collect my plate, and I protested, moving to stand before your insistence was made with a playful shove from your two forefingers on my shoulder, gently pushing me back until my back hit the chair.
"Just let me take care of you. Relax," you chuckled as you brought the dishes into the dimly lit house.
Fuck, how could I after hearing that? I crossed my legs to stifle the heat between them, but it was useless. I wanted to be taken care of by you, but not in the ways of meals and chores, as fantastic as it was. Nervous taps echoed on my wine glass stem before I was too restless to sit. I made my way to the edge of the patio to peer out into the darkness. The string of bulbs could only illuminate so far into the night, and I could hear insects buzzing in the trees. It was warm for how late it was, but I supposed thats how it always was here in the late summer. The stifling humidity was broken by a cool wind earlier that day, and we took full advantage of it by dining outside.
The trees brushed against one another with the breeze, rustling softly, moonlight starting to sprinkle the tops silver. I drank my wine slowly, allowing it to join the rest of my fully savored meal. The quiet was broken by the sound of patio door sliding closed. Footsteps padding on stone brought you beside me.
" 'S nice out here, you know. 'Cept for the bugs, if you mind those," you remarked as you looked out into the vast expanse of willows and dogwoods. The beer you were finishing trickled an amber line past your lips, a few droplets clinging to your mustache. I didn't think you noticed, but I couldn't miss it. I cleared my throat as I set down my wine glass on the neighboring table and nodded.
"I don't mind bugs as much as I mind nosy neighbors. They seem scarce out here, though." It had to have been at least three quarter mile to the next house, the isolation spreading a sense of relief over me.
You smiled across at me, creases marking around your dark eyes, the overhead lights casting shadows of your eyelashes onto your pink cheeks.
"Very." It was a low grumble of confirmation that we were indeed, totally alone out here.
Silence fell between us, unsure of who was going to make the first move. I could taste the tension, sure and spiced as the last traces of my Syrah. I bit down onto it and turned to face you fully, surprised to see you had done the same. My slightly quivering hand reached out to rest on the center of your chest as I let out the breath I didn't realize I was holding. Your palms reached out to cup my face, fingertips drawing down the sides of my neck to rest on my shoulders. Every small touch was electric, I couldn't fathom how I was supposed to handle the feeling of your skin against mine.
"I've waited a long time to have you alone like this, too long to get hung up on niceties," your lament drew me closer, until we were only a hairs breadth apart. I could feel your warm breath dawning over my face as you tilted my chin up to meet you, thumb and forefinger holding me in place, almost as if you were afraid I'd disappear. "Just let me look at you for a sec', though."
I closed my eyes and grinned, turning my face slightly to take the thumb that was traveling over my bottom lip between my teeth. You were done waiting and so was I.
