If I had a flower for every time I thought of you...I could walk through my garden forever.

~Alfred Tennyson.

......

Akira

For the first time in week I wake up without feeling his stare on me. It doesn't take me long to comprehend his missing gaze for next second I am aware of life crushing wait on me. Romero is sprawled above me, his face is resting on my chest and his arms encircling my waist tightly. It is an uncomfortable position but I can get used to it. A sudden urge to pee has me completely up from my slumber.

I carefully grab his arm and attempt to remove them from my waist but they don't budge. Sighing, I tug his hands but instead of loosening they tightens further.

"Don't do that." He grumbles in croaky voice.

I halt on my movement before relaxing, "I have to go." I protest still tugging his arm.

"But I am comfy." He purrs slightly placing a kiss on my chest.

I huff, "Well I'm not. I need to pee."

Chuckling in amusement he releases me but not before stealing a wet kiss on my neck. I don't waste any minute and make a run for the bathroom. Once I'm done with my deeds I approach the mirror and stare at my reflection.

The girl looking back to me is happy. Her eyes are full of life and her face is flushed with excitement of new beginning. I never thought I would fall in love this hard and this fast but here I am. Madly and deeply in love with my Romero. And God, he loves me back. I can't be more happier.

That is until I get the better view of neck. There is small bruise on the lower part of neck. I pull my shirt down to look more and my eyes widen at the realisation. I have hickey, no hickies.

That arse!

Irritation and anger flows in my body, I sprint out of bathroom with the slam of the door.

"You!" I point at bare chest male on my bed.

I try to outlook his highly distracting features and concentrate on my anger. It's hard to when he is sitting there comfortably, displaying his glorious assets.

Damn this man!

And damn his hotness!

"Good morning, Ray." He gives me a wolfish smile.

"Don't." I warn as my eyes flash.

"Are you okay, Darling." He asks in false concern.

"You did this on purpose!" I accuse and I know very well that I'm right on my accusation.

"What are you talking about?" If I didn't know better I'd say he is innocent but the proud glint in his eye says otherwise.

"You know very well what I am talking about."

"Actually I don't. Why don't you enlighten me?" The jerk is smirking.

I stomp toward him and point at hickey he gave me. "I am talking about this."

He offers me a non apologetic grin, "Oh that. I think I got carried away last night."

I fume at him, "You did not get carried away, you did this on purpose."

He raises his perfectly shaped brow, "Why would I do that?"

"You know very well why! You did this so I can't wear that dress. Admit it." I know that is the reason.

I should have known he'd pull some stunt like this when he agreed so easily. He is not someone to give in so easily and I forgot that fact last night.

No, actually that is not quite true, it is him. He charmed me so well that I had to turn into a oblivious mess.

"You are talking nonsense Ray. Come here, I need my morning kiss." He sends his best dimple smile.

Okay so he is not going to admit it. I already figured that. There is no way in hell he is going to accept that he is at fault here. Well. No problem but I'm not going to let him win on this and I am going to make sure he knows not to dictate me into something I don't want to.

I give him a smile that has his expression turn into confusion. He is staring me as if wondering what is going on in that mind of hers. I will just let him know his answer. Bending forward I give him a small peck and pull away immediately before he could get a chance to kiss me properly. I'm still angry and if I let him kiss me like he does I would forget everything else. That's just no and no for now.

I move my lips to his ear and place a light kiss there. I smile inwardly when I feel him shudder. "You know what?" I murmur.

His throat works as he gulps, "What?"

Smiling that I too effect him, the way he does to me. I shift away and look direct in his grey eyed. Looks like he is not the only one who can play this game.

"I am still going to wear that dress." I tell him.

All the smugness disappears and he frowns, "You are?"

I feel my smile widens, "Oh yes. I am."

"But how?" He questions through his puzzlement.

I shrug, "Nevermind. I have few tricks in my sleeve to cover this up."

Actually I don't but he doesn't need to know I'm bluffing. I will figure something out before the function. I'm kind of hopping that concealer could help me with this.

Romero hardens his jaw as he grits out, "Well that's good thing, I guess."

I nod and widen my eyes to show him exactly how good it is. "Oh, it is best thing."

Ha, take that!

His eyes narrow and if he knows what I'm doing but he doesn't say anything. What could he say anyway? He should know better than to pull that antic on me.

My alarm goes on reminding me of time I shouldn't be wasting. "Oh crap! I have class in about fifteen minute. I am going to be late." I rush out of the room leaving him stare after me.

Precisely after ten minutes I'm ready for my day to start. Exiting the bathroom I run to grab my bag and put my notebooks in it. I turn around but stop when I see Romero in front of me. My mouth agape open when I notice what he is carrying. He has a tray filled with toast and a glass of milk in his hand.

He eyes my shocked expression with nervousness as he mumbles, "I didn't want you leave without breakfast so I... uh I made this for you."

Goodness!

Though I love seeing him all worked up, I don't think my heart can take all this at once.

Snapping out of my trance I take from him. "Thank you. You didn't have to though."

He shrugs, "I wanted to and well this is only thing I know to prepare so.." he trails off.

I kiss his cheek, "It's more than enough."

Nabbing a toast I find it burn slightly but it doesn't matter though, what matters is that he cares. My heart swells with love for him at his thoughtfulness. He probably never did it before but he tried for me. Every time I think I can't love him more he proves me wrong. I love being wrong when it comes to this.

I feel his eye on me throughout I eat. Finishing I whirl around to face him. He runs his eye on figure with the intense stare of him. "You look beautiful."

I glance down to my dress, I am wearing light pink shirt and yellow skirt, before looking up and meeting his stare, "Thank you."

My alarms pings again breaking our moment. He exhales a breath, "Come on, I will escort you to your class."

"You don't have to. I'm sure you have-" I start to protest knowing how busy he always is.

He cuts me off, rather stubbornly, "I want to."

Oh well then.

I take a step and stop as I eye his bare chest with sigh. I go back to bathroom to bring his shirt that he lent me last night and hand it to him. "As much I would love to stare your hotness all day, I don't want others to look what's mine." I somewhat repeat his words from before.

A devilish smirk appears on his lip as he puts his shirt on, "You think I'm hot?"

I roll my eyes, "You know you are."

We come out of our room and parade toward my destination. Sydney is no where to be seen. She must be sleeping. Last two days were eventful for her, I just hope she sorts everything out before someone gets hurt more than necessary.

"When does your class ends?"

I give him a side glance as I calculate my answer, "I think my third class ends by twelve thirty. Why?"

"I will take you to your work." He states.

I shaking my head before he completes his sentence, "No you won't. I like to walk there." By my own, I don't add that though and speaking of which.

I search my bag for the keys and pick it out for him. "Here. Your car keys."

He pushes my hand back to me, "Keep it. You might need it."

No way

I halt on my track which in turn makes him stops too. "I don't need your car. If I wanted one I would have brought it but I don't so here take this."

He scowls at me, "But-"

I end his words, "No Romero. This is non negotiable for me." I stick to mine sternly.

His face changes to his famous impassive one and his eyes unreadable. Clearly he is pissed. Without any other word he snatches the key from my palm and throws them carelessly in his pocket. He starts to walk with me on his tail.

I pace to catch up with him. I frown unknowingly at how fast his mood switches. Probably within seconds. I don't want start this beautiful morning with him angry at me so I try to change the subject.

"Your uncle, is he still at your place?"

He doesn't reply right away, "No." Comes out as a grunt.

"You both worked it out? I mean whatever he came for." I push.

"Yes."

Not so chatty, I see.

I go to speak further but to my dismay we have already reached my class. I sigh, looks like my morning is going to start like this. I start to enter my class but before I could take step away from him I'm turned around with force.

I am face to face with him when he kisses me. This time properly and thoroughly. I melt in his arm and give in to the temptation. We kiss for few seconds until the warning bell rings.

Pulling away, I whisper between my rapid breathing, "I love you."

His eyes flare, showing a shine that he is affected with my confession, "I love you more, baby."

Backing away from his arm, I smile with my tingling lips, "See you later."

He doesn't smile back but nods, "Yes, later."

With that said I force my legs to move and take me to my class all along my mind still on him.