✰ ✰

"𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐥𝐞"

Arabella shifted out of the elevator with her crutches, eyes snapping towards me as she made it out.

"You're here," She said, smiling lightly—the tinge of pink tinting her cream cheeks.

I took a step towards her, looking down at the dress that painted her body.

The midnight blue, velvet fabric hugged her curves significantly. The two thin, silk straps laid unmoved on her shoulders, the fabric dipped at her breasts—appealing my attention more.

She wore black heels, ones that laces around her ankles and the heel itself only being a good three inches.

Her hair was tied back in a low loose ponytail, the hair covering her ears and a few of her straight strands framing her face.

Plump lips were tinted naturally a strawberry pink, coated with balm. Casting back to her gaze, it was obvious the gleam in the grey—I hinted a small smile and pulled her to my body, her hands visibly clutching the handles of the clutches.

"I don't look weird with the bandage on my leg?" She asked, some sort of insecurity in her expression as she glanced down at it.

Lifting her chin, her eyes reach back to me immediately and they widen when my thumb grazed over her bottom lip.

"You look perfect." I said, not one ounce of disdain in my tone. She blushed a light red, making my lips curve into a small smirk at her now shy gaze.

"Thank you," She whispered, her delicate fingers playing with the ends of my collar. "Where are you taking us?"

I shook my head slowly. She frowned but then it quickly got replaced with an eye roll, and I knew she knew.

"Of course, it's a surprise." She sarcastically said, attracting my hands towards her plush ass—in response to her attitude.

Lightly, I smacked one of her cheeks and she jumped slightly—sending me a glare. "Gentle, Roman," She pouted, only making the urge to have her lips to mine more desperately.

Scoffing, I narrow my eyes in on her frame.

"Gentle? You weren't saying that whe—

Her hand clamped over my mouth as her face reddened, I smirked and chuckled—watching closely as her eyes looked around the room.

"Everyone's out?" I questioned, removing her hand in the process.

"Yes," She replied back. "You're lucky."

I rolled my eyes and amusedly, her hand went directly to my ass and smacked it as I did with hers. "Attitude," She warned, pointing a finger at me while smiling mischievously.

Pulling her to my body again, she pressed firmly against me as I carelessly roamed my hands over her figure. "Gentle," I whispered against her lips, mocking her words from moments ago.

She bit her bottom lip to contain her laugh, and that honestly did it for me.

My thumb tucked her lip out of her mouth, transcending my lips to hers right after. Her plush, sweet lips tasted so feverishly with mine.

The softness between them—her tongue gliding in and out of my mouth as mine did with hers. She glided her hands into my hair, caressing each strand with her fingers.

I tilted my head further, deepening the kiss as I pushed her body against mine—squeezing them together until I felt her bare against me, completely.

"Fuck Roman," She whispered into my mouth, our lips coming undone amid the kiss. She panted into my mouth, while my own lips curved up—listening to the sounds of her distress.

"You're hot," I replied with a restrained tone, my lips dancing to her neck—placing a kiss on her delicate spot. "Literally," She rasped out, placing her palms on her flushed cheeks.

Chuckling, I kissed both her cheeks and placed one on the tip of her defined nose. "You're pretty hot too," She smiled a little, poking her tongue out causing it to brush against my bottom lip.

"Such a tease," I muttered, gripping her hips in the process. She giggled and quickly pecked the side of my lips. "Only for you,"

"That's right," I replied, taking a step back and wrapping an arm around her waist, loosely. Her gaze looked up at me, curious as usual.

"The cars waiting," I mentioned, nodding once towards the front door. Nodding, she gripped onto her crutches and began hopping.

I walked at her pace, making sure with every step she took, she was okay. Opening the entrance door, she took her steps outside and stilled once she hit the ledge of the staircase.

"Uh," She looked down, scratching the top of her head—seemingly trying to think how she was going to get down.

Shaking my head, I stepped behind her and wrapped an arm around her waist. "I'll carry you. Hold them," I told her, tapping the crutch with one finger.

Grinning, her left arm took the right crutch into her hold—now both on the same arm. I swiftly lifted her off the ground and she squealed, holding tightly onto my neck as I walked down the steps.

Though, I hadn't placed her down yet—deciding to just carry her to the car. My driver opened the door for us, I only then placed her down.

Her hand gripped tightly onto my shirt as she managed to adjust herself upright. Then, she passed me the crutches as she slid into the car—slowly.

I placed the sticks at the bottom of the seat, then slid into the seat next to her. My driver closed the doors, then came over to the front and started up the car.

Once he started driving, I relaxed back in the seat and peered over at Arabella.

My eyes studied her for a quick second, my hand coming to my jaw as it lightly massaged it—looking over her figure.

"Stop staring, horn dog." She poked her tongue out at me, then leant back against the leather seat and grinned.

Smirking, I took notice of her arm—one of the many scars on them caught my eye, and instantly my mood switched.

One of the many things I found out were the numerous cuts and bruises made on her. The doctor explained everything wrong, why she was in a coma in the first place.

The drugs were one thing. But another was all of the internal bleedings.

Cuts after cuts, bruise after bruise. Most of her bruises had faded now, though when I first saw her swollen battered face, I made sure every single person who so much as touched her, died slowly and painfully.

"Roman," Her sweet voice called, a hand went to my thigh and I looked up at the girl beside me.

"I'm fine now," She smiled. "See, I'm with you," She dragged her hand in the air between us, gesturing where we were.

I couldn't help but smile a little. Her glossy, grey eyes stared into mine, trying to reassure me somehow. And it worked.

Casually, I leant over and placed a gentle kiss to the side of her cheek—managing to make her blush again.

The car soon stopped at our first destination for the night, surely this first one would manage to zap the pristine nerves out of my system.

Stepping out, I helped her like previously—giving her the crutches so she could walk. I told the driver privately to wait aside for us, knowing we wouldn't be any longer than an hour.

As we crossed the road and went towards the shop, her movements stopped and the happiest grin came across her features.

"Are we really?" She exclaimed, looking between the parlour and myself. Nodding, I took a step in front of it and opened the door for her.

Her eyes went around the whole store while she walked in. I stepped in behind her, the owner was a 'friend' of mine. He was one of the few people that I somewhat trusted, and he was my tattoo artist.

"Roman!" He chuckled, walking out of the back and making his way up to me. Greeting me, we shook hands and he grinned.

"Good to see you, man." He moved back, I nodded once in response and he turned his attention to Arabella—who was still looking around.

"And who's this?" He rose a brow, smirking slightly. Arabella looked away from the room and towards Ryan, some form of recognition hitting her.

"I'm Arabella," She smiled, tucking her clutch underarm and bringing her hand out. He shook it, smiling at her. "Ryan."

"What can I do for you both today?" Ryan moved aside, heading towards the chairs and tables that held all the materials.

Arabella looked over her shoulder, staring at me with a glimmer in her eyes. "Roman and I want to get a tattoo each,"

"A star to be precise," She looked back at Ryan, beginning to walk over to him. He nodded and rubbed his hands together, walking over to where all the tattoo art books were.

Arabella took a seat first and I sat on the end of her seat. I took the crutches from her hold as she readied herself.

"Okay, is there any in particular?" He handed her a laminated paper, which consisted of all different types of stars printed onto it.

"Roman," She called, motioning her hand for me to move closer. I came beside her, our legs touching while I glanced at the paper.

"Which one?" She pointed to the three middle ones, the most natural and simple looking. I pointed to the second one, and she nodded her head frantically.

"I thought the same," She giggled, kissing my cheek as she handed the page back to Ryan. "Number 20 please."

He nodded and walked away, starting to set up the machines.

✰

"I love it!" She squealed, bringing her hand in front of mine to show off the direct star tattoo on her wrist. I smiled lightly, her joy somewhat made me happy.

"Let me see yours," She mumbled, grabbing my hand and turning it over. Her wrist came next to mine, matching it next to each other and she grinned.

"They're so cute Roman!" She clapped her hands and leaned back in the leather seat. I leant back too, watching her with my eyes as she traced the tattoo behind the plastic.

"Do you like it?" She gazed up at me, her eyes wide with excitement and curiosity. The weird twitching in my heart started again while looking into her eyes.

"Love it," I responded, kissing the top of her hand—while she blushed afterwards. "So where are we heading now?" she tilted her head up to meet my lips, an attempt to lure me to answer—which didn't work.

I shrugged, moving away from her alluring motives and looked blankly at my watch. "Roman!" She huffed, I glanced at her once more—catching the slight pout to her expression.

"Thirty minutes," I tapped her thigh with two of my fingers. "Fine." She leaned back in her seat, then turned her whole body to me.

"Kiss?" She looked at me with the most attempting gaze, my dick practically jumped to life at the look.

Leaning down, I placed my lips on top of hers and gradually moved them. She smiled into the kiss, wrapping both arms around my neck and locking me in.

Enticing sounds escaped her lips as she continued to kiss me, her wet tongue gliding over them, into my mouth.

I gripped her waist, pressing her firmly to my chest. Our lips moved sensually, a forbidden pace—where her sweet taste had me nearly begging for more.

As her breathing became heavier, she pulled away—not without pecking my bottom lip once more. "I love you," she mumbled, digging her head into my neck and resting it there.

"Love you," I gripped her body, pulling her to my lap.

She rested with me for a while, watching the multiple buildings we passed and the sun that was setting. Up until we made it to the final destination, she removed her body from my hold.

The driver opened the door for us, letting her step out first, she wobbled her way onto the footpath with her crutches.

I came beside her, digging one hand into my pocket as I signalled the driver to leave with the other.

My arm looped around her waist, guiding her towards the secluded restaurant. The infamous Japanese restaurant she's been wanting to go to for a while, was where I took her tonight.

The place normally would be filled with people, though, I had it shut down for just the two of us tonight.

We entered the heavily lit building, I watched her gaze flicker all over the place. From the torches that held fire on the tips, the dark interior around the area and then the cooks.

A waiter guided us first to a table, a seat where it concluded of a front view of the streets outside. Arabella sat on the stool, and I went right beside her.

"Did I tell you I've been wanting to come here?" She frowned, her eyes now flickering to me. I nodded and helped her balance the crutches to the ends of the bench.

"Of course I did," She muttered, shaking her head with amusement. I placed my hand on her thigh, a silent motion to tell her that I didn't care.

Smiling, she took the menu card and placed it on the table—looking down at all the options. "Drink?" I asked her as the waiter came up to us, asking the said question.

"Only water please," She replied, not leaving her eyes from the page. I told the waiter only two glasses of water, and he went along to grab them.

After some time, Arabella had chosen her meal and I looked over what I wanted. We ordered, and then she went into one of her usual rants.

"The trailer honestly had me in tears nearly," Her hands flew to her sides, expressing her devastation. "Like we already experienced one death, we don't need a repeat of the same thing!"

"It's so unfair. And we have to wait forever for it to be released." She sank her head down onto the table, turning her head to look at me from the angle—clearly showing her distress with the new Spiderman trailer.

"They won't kill her off," I shook my head, taking a single gulp of my water. "And how do you know that? They did it the first time, why not do it again."

I rose an eyebrow and rested my elbow on the table, leaning my chin on my hand. "I just think they shouldn't do it," She mumbled, tracing circles on the table as she went into deep thought.

My lips twitched at the sides, looking at how distressed she was over a movie. It was fucking adorable.

"Talk to me about something else, I need a distraction,"

Chuckling, I moved my hand higher up her thigh, instinctively. Goosebumps raised upon her skin, erupting me to smirk a little at her reaction.

"Wanna fuck?" My smirk widened as I saw her reaction, my words definitely glassing over the previous thoughts she had.

"W-What?" She whispered, turning red as she looked around the room for something. Shrugging, I curved my hand to the inside of her thigh and squeezed the area.

"You heard me." I stated, my eyes never leaving her misty grey ones. "Where? Now?" She looked around the room again, suddenly jittery.

A deep chuckle came from my lungs, catching her off guard, she narrowed her eyes at me. "You were kidding?" she asked, raising both her brows.

"Yes, unless you want to?" I rose an eyebrow, turning back into my stoic expression. She licked her lips and didn't answer, taking the water to her lips and I smirked mischievously.

Before anything else was said, our dinner had arrived and immediately turned her flushed facials into a look of delight.

"Fuck I'm starving," She grumbled, picking her fork up but not digging in. She looked over at me, seemingly waiting for me to do the same with my food.

Licking my lips, I took my fork into my hand and twirled at the noodles. She grinned, and picked up her piece of food and brought it to her lips as I did with mine.

"Mhm," She chewed, swallowing after. "It's as good as they said,"

Chuckling again, I push my tongue to the side of my cheek and observe her from the side as she dug into the food.

Fuck, she was perfect.

Her melodic voice started speaking again and I listened intently to every gentle word she spoke.