Chapter 16
SIXTEEN
" R ise and shine, sleepyhead." Sin's soothing voice envelops me like a comforting blanket as I wake.
A million thoughts run through my mind as I open my eyes and see him. I take mental notes of all the things wrong with me right now that the bedside lamp is rudely illuminating.
We had our first kiss.
I had my first ever kiss.
I have morning breath.
What time is it?
My hair is probably a disaster.
Why does he have to be so hot?
I stretch my limbs towards the ceiling, trying to act cool and collected as he leans down to kiss my head. “Good morning,” I say in a throaty voice.
Have to add that.
I sound like a dying weasel in the morning.
“I took off work today,” he purrs.
A bolt of excitement rips through me. “Could you open the curtains?” I wipe my eyes, trying to wake up faster.
With a laugh, he strolls to the window and pulls back the curtains, revealing a dark sky. "Get dressed." He grins.
I sit up eagerly. “Where are we going?” I ask.
“First, we’re going downstairs because breakfast is waiting on us. Just put on something comfortable for a walk.”
With that, he departs to the hallway, and memories of last night rush to the forefront of my mind. After we shared my first kiss, he was a gentleman and brought me to my room.
I slip into the shower, making sure to be quick. My mind is racing with thoughts of what we’re going to do today. As I pull the frothy shampoo through my dark hair, I recall Bria being upset the night before.
I was so wrapped up in Sin that I didn’t even check on her before going to sleep.
If it wasn't so early, I would go see if she’s okay, but I would hate to wake her.
Trying to hold on to the last bits of summer, I opt for a more daring approach and slip on a soft cotton romper that Bria picked out for me and a pair of comfy sandals.
Upon entering the kitchen, I’m welcomed by the inviting scent of freshly brewed coffee. Sin hands me a cup. “Brown butter latte?” I ask once the sweet taste slides onto my tongue.
Sin nods. “I think it’s atrocious, but Maxwell said you enjoyed it.”
I hold up the mug. “Did you go there to get this?”
“No,” he laughs, “I called and told them to give me the recipe.”
“And they did? Just like that?” My mouth falls open.
Sin snaps his fingers. “Just like that.” He leans forward, planting a kiss on my cheek that makes my body melt. “You’ll soon discover that anything I want, I get.” I would make a witty remark about how he can't just have anything in the world that he wants, but the moment that he kissed me, I was putty in his hands.
I tilt my head, catching sight of the time on the stove. “Is there a good reason we’re up at five in the morning?” I giggle, trying to ignore the heat rising to my cheeks.
He laces his hands through my freshly dried hair. “We get to spend more of the day together, and I wanted to show you a city sunrise.”
I peer around the kitchen, noticing the lack of detail. No workers. Just Sin and I. The tables are lined with plates of golden fluffy pancakes lightly dusted with powdered sugar. Some blueberry, others a gooey chocolate chip. There are various fruits on a beautiful serving tray and a heaping pile of crispy bacon in the middle.
My stomach involuntarily groans at the sight.
“Are you going to kiss the chef?” he muses.
I attempt to hide the surprise in my voice. “You did this?” I smile, rising onto my toes to kiss his soft lips. I'm grateful I brushed my teeth twice and used minty mouthwash after my shower.
Look at me, a girl who had never been left alone in the room with a man aside from at church, to a girl kissing a very handsome, very dangerous man that has just made me breakfast.
“I’m pretty good in the kitchen.” He smirks.
We sit down together and enjoy the delicious meal. Axle even has his own plate, fresh blueberries, and a scrambled egg. He scarfs it down before I can even finish one pancake. “We’re taking him to Central Park.”
“Oh, that will be perfect!” And romantic , I want to say.
The sun is just beginning to make its appearance on the tops of the towering buildings as we step under the metal gates of Central Park, hand in hand. Axle is being a good boy as usual, but I laugh at the way his feet bounce as we walk; he’s itching to run around.
The park is quiet, a few people relaxing here and there on benches. The trees drown out the sounds of the city the further we descend into the park .
“I love the mornings here.” Sin holds my hand tightly. "It's the best part of the day."
Everything feels like a wonderful dream. The way my hand fits in his and how were casually having a morning stroll through the park. It all seems almost too perfect, and while I hate to be cynical, I can't shake off the feeling that I'm just waiting for the other shoe to drop.
“I would have assumed you preferred the night,” I say, instead of my fears.
He chuckles, “Why is that?”
I shrug, lifting both of our hands. “I don’t know.” Maybe because you are the embodiment of darkness itself?
My inner monologue is starting to take on a mind of its own.
"Do you want me to hold your phone?" he asks, nodding his strong chin toward my other hand.
I look down, wishing I would have worn something else. "No, it's okay." I grin.
His hand pats the sides of my romper, causing my breath to hitch in my throat. How could such a simple act result in my body heating a thousand degrees? Sin hands me Axle's leash and takes the phone from my hand, slipping it into his pocket.
"What's a color you think goes with everything?" he asks as we continue our walk.
I don’t have to fight to keep up with his long strides. Today, he’s casually keeping pace with me. "I don't know." I look around, to the blue sky, then over to the summer's last flowers. "Pink," I decide. "But a light one, not neon or anything. A blush pink, like that dress I had on the other day. "
He nods but says nothing more as we find a cozy spot beneath a sprawling oak tree. Sin fans out the blanket he brought and sits down. I scoot in beside him, wrapping myself in his embrace.
Sin grabs a nearby stick and tosses it, while Axle runs after it, enjoying the newfound freedom of being off his leash.
“What are your dreams, Bella ?”
I quirk my brow at him. “Okay, I’m assuming you’re not calling me another girl's name again, right?”
“I was wondering when you were going to ask that,” he chuckles. “It means beautiful.”
A blush rises to my cheeks for no less than third time this morning. “Hmm.” I grin. “I haven’t quite figured it out yet,” I admit, throwing the stick back out onto the lush grass. “I’m okay with that, though. I mean, I’m just now finding myself.”
He nods. “Well, when you do figure it out, let me know.”
"Let me guess... you’ll make it happen?" I snap my fingers. "Just like that?”
“I’m a wizard, Mags.” He waggles his eyebrows.
I laugh. “Is that the voice you read in?” His eyes grow wide, strolling over my face. “What?” I ask, swatting to make sure there aren’t any bugs on me.
“You’ve never seen the movies?”
“There are movies?” I gasp.
Without hesitation, he pulls me up. “We’re leaving right this instant.”
It’s night now. We’ve spent the entire day wrapped in blankets, cuddling on the couch watching some of the films. Sin laughed as I got through the third movie and was in shock we had more. “You could spend an entire week watching these.”
“And we’ll watch the rest soon,” he promised.
The night has settled in now, the city awakening. Car horns and sirens blare in the distance, creating the symphony of the city.
“Now I’m going to take you to my favorite café, much better than Maxwell’s.”
I look at the time on my phone. “You want to go get coffee at eleven at night?” I ask. “Scratch that, what coffee shop is even open this late?”
“Well, yeah, I’ve got to get some work done tonight. It’s a place called Alice in Brewland, and they’re open until two in the morning. This city never sleeps. They’ve got all kinds of awesome book drinks; you’re going to love it.” He’s animated, a stark contrast to the monotoned, serious man I’ve grown to know.
“Any that I’ll know?” I ask wearily, wanting to catch up on so much literature that I’ve missed out on. I’ve got the classics down, and some new romances that I’ve been reading on my phone.
“Definitely.” He smirks. “All of the boring ones.”
I playfully swat his arm. “You’ve sat here with me all day and you’re going to work all night?” I frown. “Don’t you need to rest?”
“Rest is for the wicked. ”
I lean over to him, planting a kiss on his cheek and wondering where I’m getting the courage to be so upfront, but today was so wonderful and he’s the first man I’ve shared a kiss with. “And you’re not wicked?”
He takes the tip of his finger and taps my nose, giving me a sideways grin. “I’m the embodiment of wicked.”
Due to Sin’s expensive taste, I envision a coffee shop adorned with diamonds and gold, yet when we reach Alice in Brewland, just a block away from home, I can't help but smile.
It’s gorgeous. Quaint and softly lit by candles and lights hanging from the ceiling. The warm amber glow highlights exposed brick walls, accented by emerald paint peeking through the chipped surfaces.
It’s beautiful.
A coffee bar is stationed to the left, brimming with college students waiting for a dose of caffeine.
The menu is charming, featuring drinks laced with potions inspired by classic novels. I choose a cup of tea infused with a love potion elixir, while Sin opts for a coffee named Poison Apples.
“Come on.” Sin takes my hand, guiding me to a secluded alcove at the back. A spiral of aged wooden steps leads us upstairs. An antique window frames a view of part of the city, while lush emerald velvet couches adorn the walls. We cozy up together on the furthest one in the corner .
A string of lights drips overhead.
Sin slings his arm around me like it’s the most normal thing in the world.
And that's the weird part, because snuggled up with him on this couch at a little bookstore in the city feels like the most mundane thing ever.
Mundane is a good feeling.
"You are so stunning," he whispers in my ear in his heavy accent. I melt into his arms, growing more shy by the second.
Turning my face up to him, studying his chiseled jaw and the way his hair is sitting a little messy from our lazy day, I wonder why in the world he looks at me this way. "I think you need glasses."
He cups my chin with the hook of his finger, bringing his lips to mine. "I have perfect vision. I don't know what in this life has made you feel like you aren't worthy or perfect, but you are positively divine."
In a moment of honesty, I answer. "I have always been unwanted," I whisper back. "For eighteen years people came in and out of those doors, and not one family wanted me."
A groan escapes him, one of sorrow. Planting a kiss on my forehead, he pulls me in tight. "You are and always will be wanted now, Magnolia."
We embrace each other in silence, with him mulling over my insecurities and I'm sure trying to devise a plan to make those sad feelings go away and me taking a deep breath because finally, I can open up and be myself.
Around us, each bookshelf is illuminated by an ornate light that casts a glow down on the spines.
We finish our drinks, and I make to wander the shelves.
I search through each section meticulously, hoping to get one perfect book. Sin follows me quietly and patiently, his hands folded behind his back.
I notice that he does that a lot, clasps his hands behind his back. It makes him look so curious, for such a powerful man to wonder is a sight to see.
I pick up a few titles that interest me, waiting for one I can’t leave without.
I skim over the description of an action-packed romance, wanting a little excitement. Typically, I would be all over the classics section, especially since there is such a wide selection here. Covers that are limited edition, like nothing I’ve ever seen.
I peel my eyes away from the display, showcasing the one I chose to him. “This one is perfect.”
Sin eyes me warily. “That’s good... but you need to pick out about I don’t know.” His fingertips trail a row. “A hundred more.”
“I couldn’t,” I laugh.
“You absolutely can. It’s late, so you can do it tomorrow if you want. Maxwell will join you and bring them back for you. I’ve emptied a shelf in my office.” I know exactly what shelf he’s talking about too, as I saw it yesterday.
“Why not my room?” I ask as his hand grazes mine, my heartrate picking up.
“I’d like to see you enjoying a book while I work. ”
“Will I not be a distraction?” I dare to ask.
He cranes his neck down, bringing his lips a feather touch away from my neck. “You are always a distraction.”