37. What Was That For?
WHAT WAS THAT FOR?
AIDEN
On Friday evening, Tara and I are due to go on our second official date, and this time it’s my turn to organise it.
After she’d shown me the Eat Street Markets, I’ve been trying to work out what we could do that would be something different for her.
After asking Damien for tips, I’d settled on a late afternoon drive up to Mount Coot-tha to watch the colours change over the city while the sun goes down.
Then, dinner at a small Italian restaurant he’d recommended in Paddington, before heading back into the city and the open-air dancing once again.
We’ve not had a chance for much social dancing since Singapore, so have had to settle for the small amount of free dance time after our class each week. I’m really looking forward to just being able to dance with her, without having to change partners or focus on the one routine.
Knocking on Tara’s door, I wait while I hear her rushing around on the other side of the door, a small smile on my lips while I imagine her running after Toulouse, trying to put him in her bathroom while she’s out .
The little kitten has been getting into all sorts of mischief when left in the main part of the apartment.
Last night, Tara had gone to bed before me, and I’d spent almost an hour frantically searching the place for the little rascal.
I’d finally given up and gone to get Tara, worried I’d lost her cat.
Only for her to open the top drawer of the dresser in one of the other bedrooms and there he was, curled up without a care in the world.
So now, he has lost access to all bedrooms except Tara’s, and when she’s not home, he’s in the bathroom.
At least until he grows bigger and can no longer fit into tight spaces.
“Sorry,” Tara says as she flings the door open. “I finally got him. I think he knew what was going on when he heard you knock on the door.” She pushes her hair behind her ear, her cheeks flushed from the flurry of activity. “Should we go?”
I step closer and place a finger to her lips. “You look gorgeous,” I tell her, and her lips curl up slightly behind my finger.
I lower my head and kiss her softly, feeling her relax against me as she sinks into it. Her arms come around my neck as she deepens the kiss, opening her mouth to me. I groan and grip her hips, pulling her flush against me.
“Well, that’s certainly a good start to the evening,” she whispers when we pull apart.
“Yeah. We should go now, before my resolve crumbles, and we end up spending another night in bed instead,” I reply, taking her hand.
“I certainly wouldn’t complain if that happened.” Tara grins when I pretend to be shocked.
“Why, Miss Tara, are you asking me to spend the night ravishing you in bed?”
“That depends. What will you do if I say yes?” She laughs when I swoop down and nuzzle her neck. “Ack, that tickles!”
“Good. Your punishment for being a brat and putting dirty thoughts in my head.” I smack her on the butt, making her laugh harder .
“Whatever. Those dirty thoughts were well and truly already there.” She swats my hand away and steps around me to head towards the elevator, still laughing.
I love it when things between us are fun and easy like this. I don’t get to see this side of her often enough with everything she’s got going on, but I’d give anything to have more of these moments. She deserves to smile more.
We make it to the view point at Mount Coot-tha with only a few minutes to spare. Twilight is already starting to fall, and Tara rests her head on my shoulder while we watch the lights of the city turn on below us.
“It’s so pretty. I don’t think I’ve ever been up here at this time of day,” she says, her voice filled with awe.
“Oh good, I found a new experience for you,” I reply with a laugh.
She lifts her head and regards me closely. “I’ve had so many new experiences with you.”
I put my arm around her and draw her close. “That’s good to hear. Cause I want to keep finding new experiences with you every day.”
She smiles up at me and lifts on to her tiptoes to kiss me softly.
“What was that for?” I ask when she pulls away.
“For being so perfect.”
I raise an eyebrow. “I don’t know that I’ve ever been described as perfect before.”
“Well, get used to it, mister.” A small smile plays across her lips, and I kiss her temple before we turn to look back at the lights again.
A feeling I’ve not felt before settles over me, burrowing into my chest and blooming so fast that it almost takes my breath away. I rub my chest absently while I mull over the meaning behind it.
Is this what love feels like ?
It’s terrifying and exhilarating all at once, and I could easily become addicted to this feeling. Just like I’m addicted to this woman.
After dinner, we drive back to the apartment building before walking into the city.
Tara swings my hand in hers while we walk along, a relaxed smile on her face.
After a fairly emotional weekend, it’s good to know that she’s still capable of smiling like this.
I remember all too well how it feels to watch a parent slip away, and I know that she’s in for a lot more pain over the next few months.
So far, she’s leaned on me for support, which I am more than happy to provide.
But I wonder how long it will be before anger sets in.
Anger at the unfairness of it all. At being forced to deal with the strained relationship with her father before she was ready.
She hasn’t spoken to her sister since their disagreement, and I can tell that’s been weighing on her as well. But all I can do is be here when she’s ready and hope that when she falls, it won’t be without me.
“Have you given any more thought to what you’re going to do with yourself long term?” she asks, pulling me from my reverie as we walk up towards the casino.
“Why, are you over working with me already?” I grin at her when she rolls her eyes.
“No, but I also know how bored you are by insurance.”
I sigh. “I told you, I can’t afford not to work, so I’m kind of limited.”
She pulls me to a stop, swinging me around to face her. “That’s just an excuse. I think you’ve convinced yourself that you aren’t good enough, for some reason. But you would be an amazing teacher, Aiden. You’re so patient and kind. Any kids who had you in their corner would be so lucky.”
I consider her for a moment, reaching up to cup her cheek. “You’re the one who’s perfect, you know that? ”
She scoffs and shakes her head. “Hardly. I’m nowhere near it. I’m angry all the time, and can’t even get my stupid sister to get over herself and come back for Dad.”
I cut her off by kissing her hard. After a moments hesitation, she kisses me back, and I run my fingers through her hair.
Eventually, I pull back and hold her gaze. “You are perfect. You are enough. And I’m in love with you.”
Her mouth opens slightly, her lips open in the cutest little “Oh” while she stares at me.
“It’s okay. You don’t have to say it back. But I just needed you to know that I’m all in. You’re it for me.”
She swallows, her eyes tracing the features of my face as though she’s trying to memorise them. “I love you, too. I didn’t think I was ever going to find someone that I would say that to, but I know in my heart that you’re it for me, too.”
I pull her in again, kissing her forehead before wrapping my arms around her and holding her close. She melts into my embrace, and for a brief moment in time, anything feels like it could be possible with this amazing woman by my side.