Chapter 45
CHAPTER FORTY-FIVE
Seb
Everything is falling into place. I never imagined I’d get to this point – so completely, entirely content, and yet here I am, looking at Elle, feeling like everything I’ve been through was leading me to this. To her.
I can’t stop grinning as I watch Elle slowly take in the room, her eyes wide, a mix of awe and disbelief. It’s been a week since she moved in, and I still catch myself staring at her sometimes, still in disbelief that she’s here.
That she’s mine.
When I told her I was giving her a wedding gift, I never expected her to be so surprised by something so...personal. But that’s Elle. She doesn’t expect much from me, and I don’t mind surprising her. I wanted to give her something that felt right – something her .
Her fingers graze over the spines of the books, and I feel a small tug of pride at the pleased expression on her face. “You really did all this just for me?” she asks, her voice a little breathless as she turns to look at me, her eyes wide with something that feels like wonder.
I chuckle, stepping into the room, my hands casually tucked into my pockets. “Of course, I did. You deserve it. A space that’s just yours, where you can disappear and lose yourself in whatever world you want. No distractions. No obligations. Just you and your books.”
She laughs softly, shaking her head. “I didn’t think you even knew how much I loved books.”
“I’m not that clueless,” I say with a teasing grin, moving to stand next to her. I glance over at the bookshelves again, making sure everything is exactly how she likes it, every title I remember her mentioning tucked neatly into place. “I paid attention. You’re welcome, by the way.”
Elle raises an eyebrow, still not quite believing it. “You actually paid attention? I never thought you were listening.”
“I listen when it matters.” My tone softens, and I catch the hint of vulnerability in my voice before I even realise it’s there. But it’s true. I’ve never really been this invested in anyone before. Elle makes me want to be better. Want to be the guy who notices the little things.
Her expression softens too, and her hand moves to rest on my chest, just over my heart. I can feel the heat of her touch through my shirt. She leans in slightly, her eyes searching mine. “You’re amazing, you know that?” she murmurs, her voice low.
I smile, my heart warming at the words. “I’m just trying to keep up with you,” I tease, brushing a strand of hair from her face before dipping my head to kiss her forehead.
The kiss lingers longer than I expected. I feel the tension in my chest loosen a little, the weight of everything that’s been hanging over us, the uncertainty and the doubts, slipping away like water over smooth stone.
She tilts her head up, her lips brushing against mine, soft and teasing. My fingers trace the line of her jaw, cupping her face as I deepen the kiss, just for a moment. Her lips part under mine, and for a second, I forget all the worries and just feel – feel her, feel us.
When we pull back, our breaths are a little faster, but the mood is lighter than before. I can feel her heart racing against mine, and I’m not sure if it’s from the kiss or the quiet tension that lingers between us. Either way, I know we’re both growing more comfortable, more... us .
“I’m glad you like the room,” I say, my voice more playful than before. I can’t help but enjoy the satisfaction of seeing her smile. “But that’s not all I got you, Elle.”
Her eyebrows shoot up in surprise. “Wait, there’s more?”
I give her a wicked grin, walking toward the small table I’ve set up in the corner of the room. There’s a black box, the kind you’d expect for a necklace or a small trinket, but when I open it, it’s something completely different.
She blinks, looking at the contents. Inside, there’s a leather-bound journal, with intricate detailing on the cover, along with a set of sleek, black pens beside it. It’s personal. Intimate, in a way.
“I thought you might want somewhere to write,” I say, a smirk tugging at my lips. “But not just any journal. This one’s for whatever you need it to be – whether it’s for your thoughts, your fantasies, your goals…anything.”
Elle looks up at me, her eyes soft with appreciation. “You really do listen, don’t you?” she says quietly, a little smile playing on her lips.
“I told you,” I tease, “I’m not clueless.”
She chuckles, shaking her head in mock disbelief before she takes the journal in her hands, running her fingers over the smooth leather. “I don’t even know what to say.”
“You don’t have to say anything,” I reply, stepping closer again, the playful edge in my voice still there, but tempered by something deeper. “Just use it when you’re ready.”
I can feel her glance at me, studying me like she’s reading a book, as if she’s trying to figure out what exactly I’m getting at. She’s been getting better at that – knowing when there’s something more I’m not saying. And right now, I can tell she’s wondering whether I’m talking about the journal, or something else entirely.
There’s a beat of silence before she says, her voice quieter this time, “You know, I’ve been thinking…”
I raise an eyebrow, giving her my full attention. “What about?”
She hesitates for a second, her eyes flicking to the journal in her hands, then back to me. “You’ve been so understanding about...everything. About us, and about how...new all this is for me. But I have questions. I’ve been thinking about things. About...other stuff. Maybe stuff I didn’t even know I wanted.”
I pause, my chest tightening slightly as I try to process her words. I know what she’s getting at. The way she’s talking now, it’s different. More open. And my heart races in anticipation, because I’ve been waiting for her to bring this up. Waiting for her to ask questions about what we could explore – together.
“Ask me anything,” I say, my voice steady but my pulse quickening. “You know you can.”
Her lips curl into a small, uncertain smile. “Maybe I’ll start with something simple. I’m curious...how do you know so much about all this stuff?” She gestures to the journal, to the room, to everything, as if trying to understand the man in front of her.
I think for a moment before answering. “I guess I’ve always believed in going after what you want. And learning along the way. I’m not perfect, Elle, but I know what makes me tick. And if I can help you figure that out too...well, I’ll be there every step of the way.”
Her gaze softens, and she leans in again, pressing a quick kiss to my lips. “I think I’m ready to figure some of that out with you,” she says, her voice low and inviting.
My heart skips a beat as I hold her close, letting the weight of her words sink in. I smile against her lips, feeling more connected to her than ever before.
“Then let’s take our time,” I murmur, kissing her again, this time slower, savoring the intimacy, knowing we’re both on the same page. “We’ve got all the time in the world. But I was thinking maybe we could go out tonight. Do something fun.”
She grins, setting the journal down on the table beside her. “What did you have in mind?”
I chuckle. “You’ll see. I’m just...I’m happy, Elle. And I want to keep showing you how much I appreciate you.”
Her eyes soften, and I can see the warmth spreading across her face. “You don’t need to do that. You already do.”
But I do. I need to.
Because I know how precious this is.
And I don’t ever want to take it for granted.