Alana
It was pitch black and there were hardly any people in the movie theatre. My attention was not on the screen, because I was more preoccupied by the strong hands that were tracing circles on my thigh. Rowan wasn't a PDA guy, but he had told me that today he would do what I wanted and I wanted a cliché date.
Rowan kissed my mouth open and delved deeper until I moaned. The movie forgotten. I tried to unbutton the top of his shirt but he grasped my hand, and said. "Not now, baby."
I pouted. He placed feather light kisses below my earlobe and it tickled.
I giggled. "Stop it, Rowan. You're missing out on the movie."
"You're the only interesting part of this movie." He took my hand in his and kissed the back of my hand. "It's like high school all over again."
I frowned at him. "So you've done this in high school with someone else?"
"God, I just missed teasing you." He laughed, then he said. "I was never a romantic baby, not until you. I swear I've never done this before."
"I'll take your word on it." I said. Although I knew too well that Rowan had never been innocent. He may have been serious about Lauren, but he was no saint in high school.
Rowan's phone buzzed. He reached for it reluctantly, grimaced at the screen and started putting it back in his pocket but I snatched it from his hands. It's just been a few days since I agreed to date him again, and I was already an insecure girlfriend. When your boyfriend happens to be a fashion model and has a unique ability of getting panties wet with just a look from him, than any girl is bound to become jealous.
The text was from someone called Viktoria. I wondered if it was the famous supermodel Vikoria Antonova. The stick thin, tall, blonde model that was a show stopper for well-known brands. It infuriated me. The text read:
Hey sweetheart. Haven't heard from you since our last shoot. Hansen gave me your number and told me that you wouldn't be shooting for a while, but he also mentioned that your next shoot will be during September in Paris. Coincidentally, I'm having a shoot in Paris during that time. We need to talk. This is my number, call me. ð
xoxoâ¤ï¸â¤ï¸â¤ï¸
Rowan kissed my bare shoulder but I pulled away. Rejection and worry was written over his face. "Baby?"
I handed him the popcorn bucket and his phone as I stood up to leave.
"Alana!" I heard Rowan call me.
The end credits were already rolling on the screen. I made my way through the theatre aisle towards the exit because I knew if I said something, there would be a fight and I wanted to avoid it at all costs. Rowan was on his feet, following me right behind.
I reached his car and refused to look at him. Jealously was a powerful emotion that made every rational thought seem unreal. It made your blood boil with unnecessary thoughts. I'd never really been so jealous after I'd been with Rowan, mostly because I'd never realized how easy it was to lose him.
I felt his figure tower over me, regarding me with those intense eyes. "What's wrong, Alana?"
I refused to look at him, ashamed to admit that I was fucking jealous.
"I want to go home." I said.
He turned me around to face him, my back pressing against the passenger side of the door. "Sofia said that communication is the key to a successful relationship especially in my case, communication is a must. I need you to tell me why you are angry."
I bit my lip. "Who is Viktoria?"
"She and I did a shoot together in Italy."
"And?"
"We just worked together, that's it." His expressions were mellow.
"Is she the Viktoria Antonova? The famous model?" I went on, fishing for more information.
He nodded. "She is." As soon as he had admitted, I'd lost the color of my face.
"She calls you sweetheart and what the hell is up with the xo's and the kiss emoji?"
Rowan chuckled and I forced down the urge to smack his handsome face. "You're jealous."
"You didn't answer my question."
"She isn't you, baby." That's all he said.
"I don't want you sweet-talking out of this situation, Rowan." I said. "I have seen the magazines you have modeled for. I have seen the kind of poses you have done for the couple shoots and to be honest, I fucking hate it!"
"Do you want me to quit modeling?" He asked me in his soft voice. I knew he would give up anything for me if I told him. But, I wasn't so selfish.
"Of course not. I don't like the way those women touch you. I don't want anyone to touch you other than me." I admitted.
He chuckled. "that's a promise. I won't do any shoots with women if it bothers you."
I nodded, and he pulled me closer. "If something doesn't make you happy, than you just need to talk about it. Nothing is more important then you, Alana. I want you to tell me if I make a mistake. Will you do that for me?"
"Yes." I said.
He kissed the top of my head. "Good. I'm famished. Let's go grab dinner."
*****
Rowan wanted to go for the cliché again with a candlelight dinner, but I convinced him that Chinese takeout and watching a nice romantic movie in his new condo sounded like a better date idea. As he drove further, I realized we were heading towards Carmel Beach Heights which was a nice quaint neighborhood surrounded by lush trees. Even from far, I could see the beach loom in front of me in the inky darkness.
I opened the window for a bit and the fresh fragrance of sand and waves tingled my olfactory senses.
"What are you doing?" Rowan asked me.
"I like the smell of the beach. Don't you?"
"Never really liked it before, but sure, I like it now." He answered.
"Gosh, you're sounding submissive now." I laughed.
"What? You want me to wear a collar around my neck? Because I can do that for you too."
"Stop it! Don't tempt me anymore." I said. "And let's keep BDSM off this story please."
Rowan slowed down near a condo complex that looked like it was easily above ten floors. He parked the car in the parking lot which was only accessed through identity. He led me to the elevator which filled with an awkward silence the moment we stepped in. Seconds ticked by as the floors ascended.
A soft robotic female voice drifted in the elevator when it indicated we were on the thirteenth floor.
I wasn't superstitious or anything, but thirteenth floor? Really?
Like come on. Rowan and I needed all the luck in the world.
I stepped out into the brightly lit condominium hallway, followed by Rowan who made a beeline for his condo door at the far end of it. I heard him unlock the door but I was too caught up enjoying the view through the large glass walls.
"Alana." Rowan called out to me. I tore my eyes away from the spectacular view, his expressions hadn't changed yet, "come on in."
I passed the dimly lit foyer . I placed my purse on the polished mahogany table and strolled further into the living area. The sound of my heels clanking against the linoleum floor was lost as the plush carpet covered every inch of the living area floor.
I took in the enormous space, painted entirely in cream and decorated with modern black and white furniture. I couldn't stop smiling when I noticed the large photograph above the snow white couch. It was a black and white photo of Minnie; her two-toothed grin showcased how delighted she was with a bunch of lilies she'd picked.
The next thing that grabbed my attention was the cute oval lamps suspended from the ceiling. The giant flat screen covered most of the opposite wall which was connected to game consoles lying on the floor. Speakers that looked like mortal enemies of ear drums stood on either side of the flat screen. Jeez! Boys and their toys.
I knew Chez would have loved to hang out here, but I knew that would only be possible in due time. Rowan and Chez still dwelled on their awkward student- teacher differences.
One entire wall was glass see through, from ceiling to floor. I walked further for better view. It was a spectacular sight overlooking the beach and the green trees lined it. The sun had already set; the waves glistened due to the street lights. I could hear the sound of the waves even with the glass walls tightly closed.
"It's beautiful." I murmured not taking my eyes off the beauty.
"Yes, it certainly is."
I glanced at the long silhouette standing close to me from the corner of my eye. He wasn't even looking at the view ahead. He was looking at me, studying with precision, not the least bit ashamed that I'd caught him staring.
Suddenly the air had gotten slightly uncomfortable. We were alone finally and I was suddenly nervous.
"There's a balcony in the master bedroom, that's got an even better view if you want to check it out." He suggested.
I grinned. "Whatever it is that you are suggesting, sounds tempting but I'd rather have dinner first."
Rowan laughed and I helped him carry the plates to the coffee table where we settled down on the couch in front of his massive flat screen. There was some movie they were playing, but we hardly paid attention to it since we were busy talking about everything and nothing in particular.
There was so much to talk about. After we were done with our dinner, Rowan loaded the dishes into the sink. I settled down the far end of the couch. It was the moment I'd been waiting for, playing it out in my head for what felt like ages and here I was, sitting inches away within his reach. I wanted to smack him until he begged me to stop and even kiss him until he'd forget what it was like to breathe.
"So do you like this place?" He asked me, seeming a bit tense.
"I love it, Rowan. It's beautiful." I said, giving him my biggest smile.
He seemed glad to hear that.
"What about your old apartment?"
He shrugged. "I never liked that place, Alana." a wave of sadness engulfed him. "Those walls are tainted with bad memories and things I'd like to forget about sooner rather than later. That place reminds me of a monster that I'd become, so I sold it and bought this condo. I want to start fresh."
I didn't press further. Rowan sat in a very relaxed way, with his long denim clad leg crossed over the other, his one arm resting on the back of the couch and the other hand rested, palm open beside me. I took my chances as I moved closer and locked my fingers with his. He glanced up at me, smiled and gave my hand a gentle squeeze.
A few seconds passed in silence, then he whispered. "Come closer."
I obeyed and scooted until our thighs were touching. He said. "That's not close enough."
He lifted me up easily and helped me onto his lap. "That feels better."
He wrapped me into his arms, my hands traveled to his back. The familiar cologne was driving me insane, pulling me into a place where I'd longed to be in. He whispered. "I missed you so much, baby."
"I missed you too." I mumbled, my attention was diverted to his soft lips kissing and licking my collarbone.
I lifted his face towards mine and his lips were quickly sealed with mine, his lips moved fiercely against mine, warm and firm, kissing me longer, deeper and faster. I tangled my fingers through his soft hair, urging him to go on as he licked my upper lip in a swift motion and suckled it, biting it which forced a moan from deep within my throat; he repeated it with my lower lip. I could feel our hearts beating together. God! If I hadn't seen the sparks fly. I did now.
"Let's take it to my room." He whispered as he scooped me up in his muscular arms like I were a feather and dashed towards his bedroom. I couldn't stop giggling until he kicked the door shut behind him.
There was something that brought the giggles to an abrupt pause. It wasn't the size of the room, or the intricate styled king sized canopy bed or the sliding glass doors to the balcony overlooking an impressive view, but the colossal picture above the bed head rest had rendered me speechless It was a picture of us enlarged. The same picture that I'd gifted him when I visited Denmark. Rowan, Minnie and I.
I tightened my arms around his neck and kissed the hollow. "It's the best surprise I've ever had, Rowan, thank you. That's so sweet of you."
"There is another little surprise." He put me lightly on bed.
"And what's that?"
"If you'd let me help you get out of those clothes, I'll tell you about it." He said under his breath, closing his mouth on mine.
Suddenly, I felt nervous and he caught on that particular fact. "Hey, what's wrong?"
"Nothing." I said.
He laughed. "You've begged me for over two years and I really want to give it to you. Are you nervous?"
"A little, I guess." I admitted.
Rowan skimmed his fingers towards the hem of my shirt, pulling it up; he caressed the exposed skin slowly. "I'll be slow and gentle I promise, baby."
"What, don't be stupid." I reached for his shirt front frantically. "I want you to make it fucking hardcore as you can. I was just nervous you would say no again this time."
Rowan seemed surprised for a whole minute and then he burst out laughing. Before his lips slammed mine, he whispered. "My firecracker."
*****
A.N: First off, I'm really sorry for the late update. It's been a busy week. And secondly, Merry Christmas to everyone who celebrates â¤ï¸
I know there wasn't too much drama in this one, but I hope y'all enjoyed it :) As always, don't forget to Vote and comment telling me your thoughts.