✰ ✰

"𝐂𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐤"

The station was a ten-minute walk from Central Park. I led both of us there. It wasn't too late, it was just ten at night, and the park closes at one.

It was one of my favourite locations in New York, and I couldn't believe he hadn't been there. It was simple but beautiful.

I stroll us around the area and straight into the park, passing through skating rinks, meadows, and normal trails until I locate an empty location for us in the popular Sheep meadow.

We come to a halt in the centre of the field, where the grass was freshly cut and fresh, allowing me to let go of his cold hand and sit down on the dry grass.

I raise my eyes to him and pat the spot next to me, and he comes down and sits.

Once he's comfortable, I lay myself out on the grass, leaning my head in his lap and gazing up at the sky.

He leans back on one hand while the other reaches my hair, pulling stray hair away from my face and running his fingers through it softly.

The fresh breeze crosses our skin, I smile at the night above us with the flashing lights of New York reflecting upon it.

"It's a shame you can't really see the stars," I whisper under my breath.

I raise my eyes to him, and he simply stares at me, expressionless. His demeanour had never bothered me; it seemed natural for him to hide his emotions and not express how he felt. And his eyes remained cold, but there was something genuine in them, almost a certain gleam.

His thumb travels up the top of my cheekbone, cupping my cheek in the process.

"I could take you someday," He says matching my quiet tone, I leant into his touch and smiled.

"Where?" I ask, and he looks straight into my eyes, the dark amber so unique and beautiful.

"To see the stars," He answers blankly, his deep accent thick on his tongue.

I smiled heartily as he spoke; he was making me feel everything I hadn't felt before. His way with words had me falling on my knees, but the way he treated me was never something I was used to.

I wondered if he meant it when he stated he wanted to take his time with me. People have usually used me as a wing woman for my brother, for sex or their own pleasure, and some have even appeared to be friends with me to gain access to the famed Malik household.

Apart from the attraction I had for Roman, I seemed to have felt something else, something more than just attraction. He noticed something in me; I could be mistaken, but just knowing he wasn't using me was just enough for me.

"I would like that," I say softly glancing up at the sky, "I have yet to see the stars, maybe even a constellation of them,"

His thumb brushed over my skin, each stroke so delicate and gentle. I sighed contentedly as he brought his lips down to my jaw, a kiss precisely placed on the edge, melting me into a puddle.

His eyes searching my own before drifting back down to my lips, where I had subconsciously licked them merely on instinct, he leant in nearer as the action peered at him.

I wanted his lips on mine again; the feeling was so euphoric.

It was unlike any other kiss I'd ever experienced, even the meaningless ones, yet this was far from meaningless, it was desire and need. It was the obfuscated tension between us, mixed with forbidden impulses and the persistent temptation.

As his lips gently pushed against mine, I felt my breath hitch. His soft and warm full lips matched my own, they fit perfectly with mine, as I fell into a daze of my own. The gentle push on my lips quickly grew into a deep and slow kiss. Our mouths move tenderly together, gracefully and steadily absorbing each other's tastes and sensations.

His hand, which was on my cheek, moved smoothly along my jaw, his fingers gliding over the contour in a repetitive pattern.

My own hands, which were previously pinned beside me, gently pressed against both sides of his cheeks, softly driving him in deeper.

He broke the kiss by drawing away but remaining in place. His cool breath mingled with mine as his lips hovered over my lips. I watched his eyes stare down at them, his dark lashes covering the shade, but then releasing once he connected the amber to my grey.

"You're beautiful, Arabella,"

I blushed. A full fucking blush. I had never blushed at a man's words in my whole nineteen years, but the words from his lips seemed to turn my entire body into a zoo of butterflies.

I swallowed and looked down at my lap, my sight withdrawing from his.

"Do you like it?" I ask him, I glance back up at him and continue, "The park,"

Amusement danced in his eyes, and I roll my body to the side and lie on my stomach, raising my elbows and resting my head on my hands, and gaze at him.

"Sure," He replies blankly.

I purse my lips and narrow my eyes before leaping to my feet and reaching my hand out to him.

"Come on, let's go for a walk,"

He rose up smoothly from the grass and towers over me, placing one hand in mine. We go around the park together once more, his hand laced with mine.

✰

It's been nearly two hours and I think I've shown him most of my favourite parts. We started at Bethesda Fountain and strolled around it, where I explained the meaning of the 'Angel of the Waters' statue.

Then we went to the Shakespeare Garden, which is one of my favourites, it's peaceful beyond, it truly makes you feel like you're not even in the city. Roman listened intently to what I said, nodding occasionally as his concentrated gaze studied me thoroughly each time.

I took us around the area, right until it was starting to close and we had to leave. This Friday night was different for me, normally, I'd be at home or on a mission, but instead, I was with a boy, a very attractive one.

We made it back to his car safely enough; my legs were tired from walking, but I was satisfied.

I climbed into the car, and he followed suit, speeding out of the parking area and down the streets.

I sighed and turned to face Roman, resting back against the car seat.

"Did you have fun?"

I gleamed at him, happily, when his lips curved to the side and he nodded.

The car ride was quiet, with only the sound of city traffic and the mild howl of the wind to be heard, and I found it to be quite relaxing.

When he arrived at my home, I rolled down the window so the guard would recognise me, to which he did, releasing the gates and allowing us to pass.

The vehicle came to a halt just outside my front door. With a sigh, I unbuckled my seatbelt and looked to Roman, who had his sight to the front before slightly turning his head and looking at me.

"Thanks, Roman," I whisper.

His hand stretched out to me unexpectedly, coming beneath my chin and gently lifting. My heart raced as he leant in closer, his eyes locked on mine.

Full lips skim towards mine about an inch away from connecting, my thighs clench at the sensation, and I lift my gaze to his.

Our eyes locked once more before closing and our lips, connecting.

Slowly kissing me, savouring the sweet mint flavour and caressing my lips against his. While we moved our mouths at a delicate rhythm, my hand came to cup his cheek, and his own went to the curve of my waist, gently grasping it.

He pulls away, hovering over my lips and resting his forehead against mine with our eyes closed, and then kissing my lips one last time.

"Welcome." He whispers, his voice hoarse.

Until I removed my hand from his cheek, pink rushed to my cheeks, while his hand remained on my waist we pulled away entirely.

Grabbing my purse, I reach for the door handle and pull it open, but halfway out, I smile to myself and lean back in, swiftly gazing at Roman, I drop my lips to his cheek and peck it, before seeing his reaction I turn around and exit the car.

The guards open the door for me, and I was secretly thankful that his windows were tinted.

I had finally walked back inside my house when I heard the roar of his vehicle speeding out of the gates.

I strolled through and noticed that all of the lights were turned off except for the one in the living room. Nicolo also did not seem to have returned home, he was most likely spending the night with some random chick.

I began walking towards my room, leaving the entryway and heading for the staircase.

"Who's car was that?"

At the sudden sound of the deep voice, I jumped on my feet and spun around to face my father, who stood against the wall, his eyes curious.

Shit.

"Uh, just one of my friends dropped me off,"

He gazed at me longingly, as if he could see straight through me, but fortunately, he didn't question it.

My parents were carefree with Nicolo and me, they both trusted us to take care of ourselves and make the right decisions, but we still had limitations.

"I've got a new one for you," He mentions, leaning off the wall and approaching me.

"Oh?"

"Go rest," He says as he walks up to me, nodding, "I'll tell you in the morning."

"Where's your brother?" As he walks with me up the stairs, he asks, resting his hand on the small of my back.

"Probably with some girl," I shrug.

He smirks and shakes his head, amused.

When I get to my room, I turn around and wrap my arms around my dad's waist, hugging him closely. His arms wrap around me and I pat his back when I feel him smile.

"Love you," I whisper into his chest.

"Love you more, Bella." He pulls away and kisses my forehead before walking over to his room.

I return to my room and close the door behind me.

I approach my bathroom and decide to take a shower, stripping off my clothing and arranging my hair into a high bun.

I walked into the steaming water and let it cleanse my body and then resting there for an hour or so.

I change into shorts and a large t-shirt, complete my nightly skincare, and then exit the bathroom.

My gaze is drawn to the large figure stretched over my bed. His golden-brown hair is a tangle of strands stuck in every direction, and his head is buried between my pillows.

I take a deep breath, exasperated, and move towards my extremely intoxicated brother.

I take a seat next to his limp body and lightly tap his shoulder, whispering, "Nico."

I scowled as he grumbled and flapped my hand away.

"Dude, can you at least move over so I can sleep somewhere."

He moved over very slowly, and I slid under the blankets, covering him in the bedding as well. After snuggling into the blankets his head moved up and rested on my stomach.

I gently brushed his hair away from his face to allow him to breathe a little more freely; this guy was so vulnerable when he was drunk. He reminded me of a lost puppy.

"Thanks, Bells," He murmured, his voice slurred slightly.

"Welcome," I said as I leant in to kiss his forehead and felt his steady breathing.

After that, my body then soon fell into a deep slumber with him.