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lex luthor story - happy endings (NEW)
Newest Maze Runner Story!
the july specials : ÌÌâ all the stories that will be posted in july
cappuccino : ÌÌâ about the owner
bubble tea : ÌÌâ a guide of what's written on this blog
Warnings: 18 plus only! Minors DNI! DO NOT COPY! All smut, no plot. Heavy praise kink. Dirty talk. Fingering. Breast play. Size kink. Finger sucking. Marking. P in V. Unprotected sex.
AN: Did I write this after seeing the new season because after one of the scenes, I now believe he 100% talks you through it? Yes. Yes, I did.
Word count: 1.3k
Summary: After struggling with investigating a case, Reacher talks you through it
~
Reacher could see the distress righten all over your face as you were hunched over the computer in desperation of finding some sort of clue for the case. Every road you went down, came to a dead end. And after so many roads, it can get frustrating. Tiring, but refusing to a take a break just yet. You needed it, but didn't allow yourself to have it. So, Reacher made the decision for you.
He stepped behind you. Towering over you. His presence very much so stronger now that he's suddenly so close. Your body couldn't help but go tense at it.
"Close the computer." It was a demand.
"What?"
"You heard me. Close. It." He growled, and slowly, you saved the work and closed the computer.
"Atta girl." Your heart nearly pounded right out of your chest. Your breath being pulled right out of your lungs when he leaned down so that his lips were even with your ear. Mere inches away.
"Take a deep breath." You did as he said. Breathing in through your nose and out through your mouth. "That's it. Again." Another deep breath. He made you do it several more times before he whispered against your neck.
"Why did you start to stress?" His presence was intimidating, to say the least. Making you flustered and unable to find the answer he wanted. Stumbling over the words when you finally found them.
"Because I couldn't do it..."
"And what made you think you weren't capable of doing it?"
"I... the case isn't like any other I've taken."
His hand started to gently slide down your shoulder until it found the bottom of your shirt. Slowly unbuttoning it. You tried to hide your gasp.
"Why is this one different?" You couldn't think straight. Not when he had your top open and his fingers started to play with the straps of your bra. His hot breath on your neck and his lips brushing against your ear. "Answer."
"They're some of the smartest criminals... I've dealt with. They've... left no room for mistakes." Your words were a big of a mess as you were right now. His teasing touch gone as he suddenly stood up to his full height.
"Stand up." You did as he said, and he couldn't hide his grin.
"Good girl." His hands were on you again. This time, your hips. "Here's what we're gonna do. You're going to sit in my lap and I'm going to finger you until you're coming all over my hand. Then..." He pulled your shirt off. Unbuttoning your pants next and slowly pulling them down. "You're going to ride me until you understand you're capable of solving the case."
His words were a torch, and they just set you aflame and melted your brain. You were frozen in place as his rough hands gently pulled your panties down. His calloused hand grazing up your thigh and making the point of moving over the small patch of hair right above your cunt where you needed him most. But he didn't give it to you yet. Bringing his hand up torturously slow and unclasping your bra. He cupped your breast in his hands. His thumb and index finger gently twisting and toying with your nipples. The sensation making your head fall back on his muscled chest and a moan leave your lips.
"Are you ready sweetheart?" When you desperately nodded, he chuckled. Trailing kisses over your neck before he sat down in the chair. Pulling you down on his lap. You had to bite back a moan when you felt his hard cock pressed against your ass.
"Lean back and spread your legs wide." You leaned back until your back was against his chest. Head rested on his shoulder. Each leg on the arm rest. Completely exposed to him. He couldn't stop the groan from leaving his mouth at the sight. He left bite marks along your neck and smoothed each one with a kiss. One hand rested on your hip and the other moving down your body until his middle finger started to move through your folds.
"So wet and I haven't even done a thing." He mumbled against your neck, and you tried your best to suppress your moan, but it was useless. Especially when his finger found your clit and began to gently circle it. Your legs trembling and your breathing becoming desperate pants. His finger started to work faster. Making your stomach twist.
"That's it sweetheart. Let's see you take a little more." You almost shouted when he slid his finger inside you. Already stretching you. He chuckled against your neck. Curling his finger inside to hit that spot that made you tremble and get close to the edge. It was already so deliciously overwhelming, but when he added a second finger and used his thumb to circle your clit, you came undone. You moaned his name, and your entire body shook as you came on his fingers.
"Atta girl..." He praised as he helped you come down from the high. His fingers slowing to a stop. "Taste how good you did for me." When he offered his fingers to you, you happily took them. Sucking your cum off of his fingers. Allowing your eyes to close as you slowly calmed. The moment didn't last long though. He withdrew his fingers. Turning you around so that you faced him. Straddling his lap. He moved you enough so that he could pull his pants off. Falling to his feet. Pulling his shirt off with it. Now skin to skin with him. He started kissing your neck. Taking his cock in his hand and stroking it. You gasped when you saw his size.
"Like what you see?" He teased and you swallowed hard.
"Reacher... there's no way it's going to fit."
"There is a way." He mocked you. Guiding his cock along your folds. Using your arousal to wet his cock. When he pushed the head in, you gripped his arms, and you gasped. He held your hip and helped guide you.
"That's it. Fuck, you're taking my cock so well. Go ahead and take a little more for me." Now both hands on your hips, he helped you down so you could take a little more. Stopping when you whimpered. It took everything in him to not grip your hips tightly when your pussy clenched around him.
"It's... it's too much." You whimpered.
"You can take it. Go ahead. Take all of it." Reacher did all the work. You were too weak to lower yourself more, so he did it for you. Slowly... he bottomed out inside you. His cock filling and stretching you out. It was painfully pleasurable. Overwhelming good.
"Atta girl. Now... start riding me." He moved his hands away to ensure he wouldn't take control. His eyes on yours as you slowly thrusted your hips up and brought them back down. Your eyes closed and you moaned his name. Holding onto his shoulders. Once you adjusted to his size, you found your rhythm. Bouncing on his cock. Up and down. His cock throbbing inside you every time you clenched around him. Your stomach twisted and you could feel your second climax building. Reacher watched as your tits bounced in his face until he finally couldn't take it anymore.
He gripped your hips tight enough to mark and he started to thrust inside in. The sound of your skin clapping together and both of your moans filling the room. His cock twitched and his balls tighten. He had to keep it together. Just a little longer.
"Are you capable of solving the case?" He gritted through his teeth as he loudly moaned.
"Y-yes!" You shouted.
"Then be the good girl you are and cum."
As if you were at his command, your climax hit you. Harder than the first one. You soaked his cock, and Reacher couldn't hold back anymore. He harshly thrusted up into you until his cock throbbed as he filled you with his seed. Groaning loudly as he spilled every drop into you. His thrust getting lazy and slowing as you both rode off the intense orgasms. He prepped you with gentle kisses. His hand tangling in your hair.
Casually wrote 25k words for a personal project during my weeklong holiday about an unexpected dadâs best friend and the process of grief and dare I say it might be one of my best works so far
YOU. WILL. WRITE. oh you want to write so bad. all the motivation is here. the plot is so good. words come to you so naturally. YOU ARE GOING TO WRITE. RIGHT NOW.
Maybe theyâre in the glade and at the bonfire nights. Readers mad at Gally but Gallyâs just worried about her, either way they have a huge fight in front of everyone. He just decides that heâll wait until theyâre ready, so like waiting for them to come to him. But theyâre waiting for him to come to them and apologize. I need some good miscommunication.
Preferably fem!reader but gn!reader is fine.
‷ pairing: gally x f!reader
‷ word count: 3.1k
‷ summary: as above!!
‷ warnings: gally is kind of a douchebag (to be expected), he also doesnât know how to express his emotions, mention of injury, miscommunication, reconciling, me being bad at endings per usual
a/n: sorry this took me literally 2 months!! working night shift sucks the life out of me, anyway this is a little rusty bc i haven't written in months :/ i literally rewrote this like 4 times bc i hate it but hopefully this is okay!! lmaoo
The warm glow of the bonfire cast heat off into the cool night sky. The Gladers were all finding their spots around the fire, conversation becoming louder as all of the boys talked amongst themselves. They shouted and laughed, the usual bonfire chaos that always made the place feel a little less like a prison. Everyone was having a good time.
Everyone except you.
You sat quietly on the end of a log next to Newt and Minho, irritation rolling off of you in waves. This shouldâve been a relaxing night. Instead, you sat there, letting your anger simmer like boiling water. The events from the day before played on a loop in your head, only annoying you further.
You were a Runner. You were well respected by the other Runners and Minho, they knew you did your job well and you earned your place. It was one of the only things you felt like you were good at. The maze didnât come without consequence sometimes, though. You told yourself it was just part of the job.
While running your route the previous day, you misstepped and twisted your ankle pretty significantly on some brush. It wasnât the biggest deal, to you at least. It wasnât the first time youâd fallen victim to maze injuries. You finished your run anyway, going off of straight adrenaline while it masked any pain you mightâve felt.Â
Upon returning to the Glade, you ran straight to the Med-Jack hut. You knew you would have to get your ankle taped up before it felt any worse. Unbeknownst to you, when you returned, someone had been looking for you. Unfortunately, that wasnât a good thing.
âThanks, Jeff!â You called out over your shoulder as you pushed the door to the hut open, ready to head back out. Your ankle had been wrapped, with strict instruction to keep off of it so it would heal quicker.
âKeep your weight off of it, (Y/N). Iâm serious!â he yelled after you, knowing of your stubborn tendencies. You smiled, shaking your head slightly as you turned to walk back out into the Glade. Your body collided with somebody elseâs immediately. With a gasp, you took a small step back, preparing to apologize.
The words died on your tongue. You instantly felt like a cornered animal.
Gally towered over you, his arms crossed over his chest. His jaw was set, and dread set in as you could feel the lecture coming from a mile away.Â
âWhat the hell were you thinking? You think youâre invincible now or what?â He raised his voice, like it was going to get his point across any better. You couldnât help but roll your eyes. No âare you okay?â or âyou scared meâ. Just straight into scolding you, like you were a child who had something that they shouldnât.
âWe do not need to do this right now, Gally. I did my job, thatâs all that matters.â You snapped back, shifting your weight onto your good ankle. His eyes flickered down for a split second, so quick you almost missed it, but he looked back up and laughed like he couldnât believe what he was hearing.Â
âUnreal. You get hurt in the maze, again, and thatâs all you have to say for yourself?â He threw his hands up in the air. Your hands clenched into fists by your sides, trying to keep yourself composed. âYou couldâve gotten killed.â
âFor shucks sake, Gally! Why do you care so much? Itâs not that big of a deal!â You exclaimed incredulously, your voice raising a few octaves.
He stared at you hard for a moment before he shook his head in disbelief, mumbling a âwhateverâ. He turned on his heel and stormed off without responding to you. You stood there in shock for a few moments, mouth agape.Â
More than anything, you were just confused. Why was he acting like that?
For the rest of the day, and the day leading up to the bonfire, Gally ignored you. The tension was thick, neither of you acknowledging each other. You wanted an apology for his random outburst, but that was wishful thinking. If there was one thing that Gally didn't do, it was say sorry. If he was going to play his silent treatment game, though, then so were you.
Now, you sat there with your ankle wrapped tight under your pant leg, staring straight ahead into the fire. You hadnât looked at Gally once, not since he showed up and stood on the opposite side of the bonfire like he was waiting to pounce.
Your knee bounced up and down, but you forced it still. You didn't want anyone seeing how wound tight you were. Minho said something in your ear, but you didnât hear it. You think he asked if you were good, but you weren't sure.
Your eyes finally flickered up just in time to catch Gally staring. It wasnât casual, nor was it accidental. Heâd probably been doing it all night, but you were too busy being annoyed to notice. It was only adding to your list of things irritating you. You tore your gaze away first, not interested in a staring contest.
Thatâs when he decided to move.
You heard him approach before you saw him, boots crunching against the dirt. The Gladers closest to you quieted down as he did, clocking the tension. He finally stopped in front of you, arms crossed as usual.
âYour ankle still messed up?â Thereâs a hint of snark in his voice, no concern present. It sent a spark of anger through you, but you suppressed it.Â
You shrugged, maybe a little too quickly. âIâm fine.â You still refused to look at him, just resting your head in your hand as if you were bored instead.
Gally exhaled sharply through his nose. âYeah. Thatâs what you said in the Maze too, right?âÂ
At that, your head snapped up. âDonât.â
âDonât what?â He fired back. âPoint out you shouldnât have been running on it in the first place?â A couple guys nearby went quiet, someone coughing awkwardly. Minho and Newt both tuned in, ready to put a stop to whatever was about to happen if it got out of hand.
You stood up quickly, pain flaring up your leg immediately. Your weight shifted wrong for a split second, long enough for Gally to notice. His hands twitched at his sides like he was about to reach out.
You didn't let him.
âIâm a Runner, Gally. Itâs the most dangerous job in the Glade. Shit happens, I donât know what you want me to say.â Your voice was tight, trying your hardest to keep your composure.
âAnd itâs my job to keep this place from falling apart,â he said, voice rising. âWhich includes people not being reckless.â
"Reckless?" You laughed under your breath, at that and his statement about keeping the Glade from falling apart. That was Alby and Newt's job. That's how you knew his ego was inflated like an overfilled balloon. "So now I'm reckless?"
Gallyâs jaw clenched. âYou twisted your ankle in the maze and didnât tell anyone.â
âI finished the run.â You lifted your chin. âAnd I told my Keeper, who is the only person I have to tell. Not you.â
âThatâs not the point.â
âIt is to me,â you said. The fire popped loudly, and it was then that you realized how quiet it was. Your cheeks burned in embarrassment. Someone nearby muttered, âshuck,â under their breath.
Gally stepped closer to you without realizing it. You felt like you were being suffocated.
âYou scared people.â
Your chest tightened. âYou mean you.â The words came out before you could stop them. His mouth opened, and for a second you thought he was actually going to say it. You were wrong.Â
âYou donât think. You just go and charge in there like nothing can touch you,â he snapped. âItâs reckless.â
Anger flared up in your chest. âYou think Iâm stupid or something?âÂ
âThatâs not-â
âBecause thatâs what it sounds like,â you cut him off, your voice getting louder. âLike you think Iâm incompetent at doing the one thing Iâm actually good at.â Your hands started to tremble. âIs it because Iâm the only girl in this place? You would never say any of this to the other Runners. Itâs like you think Iâm some fragile object that canât do anything without supervision because Iâm a girl.â You were desperate to find reasoning now. âYou clearly donât trust me, Gally. You have zero faith in me.â
âWhat? No, that has nothing to do with-â he stopped himself short. âI trust you to do your job,â he started. âI donât trust you to stop when youâre hurt.â
âAnd thatâs my problem, how, exactly? My apologies for not wanting to be benched every time something hurts.âÂ
Gally laughed, but there was no humor behind it. âUnbelievable.â
You laughed back, but there was no emotion behind yours either. âYou donât get to yell at me, in front of everyone mind you, and then act like itâs out of concern.â You were very aware of how many more eyes were on the two of you now.Â
âI was worried, alright?â he shouted.
You blinked, stomach dropping. That was a confession you werenât prepared for. The clearing went completely silent. It was too late now, though. You werenât backing down. You stared at the boy in front of you, the back of your eyes burning.Â
âYeah? You have a real funny way of showing it.â If he expected you to act like it was all okay because he was worried, he had another thing coming.Â
But you saw his expression flicker. He looked hurt, maybe guilty, but as soon as you saw it, it was gone. âWhatever,â he mumbled. âIâm not doing this.â
âOf course youâre not,â you said bitterly. âYou never do. Ever. Youâre never in the wrong, right?âÂ
He froze. He stared at you hard for a moment, as if he were analyzing you. âWhen youâre ready to talk without biting my head offâŠyou know where to find me,â he said after a moment, voice quieter now. Your heart slammed against your rib cage, unsure of what to even say. All you wanted was an apology, and it was very clear you werenât getting one.Â
So, you said nothing.Â
Gally waited. He gave you a couple seconds. But when you still said nothing, he nodded to himself. Without hesitation, he turned and walked away from the fire.Â
Nobody said a word. Your mouth parted in shock. You just stood there silently, ankle throbbing and your heart pounding, wondering why he couldnât just say sorry.Â
The Glade felt wrong after the bonfire.Â
Firstly, you woke up sore. Your ankle was screaming, head pounding thinking about all of the things you didnât say. It was nauseating, the way the pit that developed in your stomach wouldnât go away.Â
Once you left the Homestead that morning, everything felt off. It felt like everyone was tiptoeing around you. In all fairness, they probably were. It didnât make you feel any less embarrassed about the events from the night before.Â
It felt like everyone was treating you differently, too. Minho offered to walk you to breakfast. You said no. Newt asked how your ankle was. You told him it was fine. Everyone kept doing that; checking in but treading lightly.
Gally didnât.Â
You didnât see him at breakfast, nor did you see him afterward. Or when the Runners headed out and you were forced to stay back, sitting with your back against the stone next to the Maze entrance trying not to feel completely useless. You told yourself it was fine. That he said heâd wait, and he was just upholding that.Â
It didnât make you feel any better.Â
By afternoon, your ankle also wasnât any better. It was still swollen and angry, and you rewrapped it as tight as you could so you could focus on that pain instead of your thoughts of doom and despair.Â
You walked (more like limped) past the Builders, and you heard his voice before you saw him. When he did come into view, you paused. His back was to you as he threw a pile of lumber down slightly aggressively. His sleeves were rolled up, and you could just tell by his stiff posture that he still wasnât in the best of moods.Â
He didnât notice you at first. You told yourself you should just keep on limping by before he did notice. Instead, you stood there, stupidly hopeful. Waiting for him to turn around and see you and say something, literally anything.Â
When he did turn, he froze. The air suddenly felt heavier. Neither of you moved, or spoke for a moment.Â
âYou need something?â he finally asked. There was little to no emotion in his voice. It felt cold, though you werenât sure if it was supposed to or not. And that was the worst part.Â
You swallowed. âNo.â That was all you could muster up to say.Â
He nodded once. âOkay.â And that was it. No apology or explanation. Just okay. You hated how much that hurt you. Sucking in a breath, you turned fast before he could see your face. Your ankle gave out just enough to remind you that it was still there and messed up, and it was still something he was right about.Â
Behind you, you could hear him take a step forward. Then he stopped. You walked away without another word. He let you.Â
And that was how days passed. The two of you were too stubborn to make the first move, even if it was killing you (and starting to annoy the other Gladers). Gally thought he was doing the right thing, by giving you space and letting you come to him when you were ready. But you were waiting too. Still waiting on an apology that you werenât sure would ever come.Â
You were both convinced that the other didnât care enough to cross the distance between you. Minho was getting fed up, telling you to just go to him already and to stop âmoping around like a kicked puppy.â You almost punched him, especially since your ankle wasnât one hundred percent yet and all you could do was mope around since you still werenât allowed to run.Â
In reality, both of you did care. It was just a matter of who would let up on their stubbornness first.
That night, now days after the bonfire had happened, you sat on the edge of your bed. The Glade was quiet, the kind where every sound felt too loud if you weren't careful. In the distance, crickets chirped faintly. If you listened hard enough, you could hear the groan of the Maze as it shifted.
You were still awake. Your leg was stuck straight out in front of you, ankle propped up as you loosened the wrap on it. It hurt less when it wasnât so tight.
Your head dropped forward as you tried fighting off exhaustion, eyelids feeling like they weighed a ton.Â
When you heard the first knock on your door, you just assumed you were hearing things. It wasnât loud, so you thought nothing of it. Until you heard it again, slightly louder this time. Your heart stuttered.Â
For a moment, you didnât move. Then, you stood slowly, ignoring the slight protest in your ankle. Hobbling to the door, you opened it.Â
It was Gally.Â
He looked tired. Not physically, like he needed sleepâhe looked emotionally spent. His hands were shoved in his pockets, like he didnât know what else to do with them. His shoulders were slumped, a stark difference from his usual squared, bold posture.
âHey,â he said, like he was unsure. It was the first thing heâd said to you in days. You blinked. Without even thinking, you stepped aside without a word. He took that as permission and slipped inside carefully, like he was afraid to move too fast.Â
The silence was loud.Â
He stared down at the floor. You slowly sat back down on your bed. After a moment, he finally spoke.Â
âI didnât come to argue,â he started. âIf you donât wanna talk, Iâll go.âÂ
You didnât say no, just stayed silent. So he stayed.Â
âIâm not good at this,â he admitted, his voice low. You almost wanted to laugh at that, because you knew that. He communicated like a brick. âWhen I get scared, it comes out wrong. I say the wrong things and let my emotions get the best of me.â He paused, running a hand over his jaw. âAnd I thought that if I gave you spaceâŠif I waited, that I was doing the right thing.â
You exhaled shakily, your throat tightening a little. âI thought if you cared, youâd have come sooner.â He flinched, like that one hurt him.Â
âI do care,â he blurted quickly. âI justâŠdidnât know how to show it without messing up again.â He finally looked up, eyes meeting yours. You could see the honesty in them, but you could also see the fear. âIâm sorry I yelled at you,â he said. âIâm sorry that I made it sound like I donât trust you. I do. But Iâve been here a long time. Iâve seen what that Maze can do to people. And I donât trust the Maze not to take you away from me.â He let his feelings spill out into the open, no longer holding back. You could tell he was stressed.Â
You blinked, trying to process everything he was throwing at you. âYou couldâve just said you were worried.âÂ
âI know.â His voice cracked a little, barely noticeable but still there. âI shouldâve.â He shifted awkwardly, then gestured toward your ankle. âDoes it still hurt?â
You nodded. He didnât try to touch it, didnât try to overstep. He just sat down carefully on the edge of your bed, like he was ready to bolt any second if necessary.Â
âIâm not angry anymore,â you admitted after a moment. âI was just hurt.â
âI know,â he said. âAnd Iâm sorry. I hate that I did that to you.â Another round of silence followed after that. This time, it was less awkward. You reached out tentatively, fingers brushing his wrist. He stiffened, like he was afraid to move.Â
âI know you care, Gally. But Iâd rather you just say it than be angry at me.âÂ
He nodded. âI know. Iâm tryinâ to learn that.â
The Glade was quiet in the early morning, dew still clinging to the grass. There werenât many signs of life from the Gladers yet, most of the boys still sleeping. You sat on an overturned crate near the Gardens, breathing in the fresh air. Gally stood behind you, hands resting lightly on your shoulders. It grounded you.
Another couple of days had passed, and you had been cleared to go on short runs again. You barely even thought about your ankle anymore.Â
âYou nervous?â He asked, knowing that you were cleared to start running again.Â
âAlways,â you replied. You were excited to get back out there, too. But there was always an underlying feeling of anxiety that came with the Maze.Â
Gally hummed. âYouâll be fine. I know youâll be alright out there.â His reassurance calmed your nerves even if just for a little while. You leaned back into him without thinking. He stiffened for half a second, then relaxed, running his hands up and down your shoulders.Â
You reached across your chest with your right hand, threading your fingers through his where his left hand rested on your shoulder. His hand tightened instinctively.
Neither of you spoke. Just continued to enjoy each others presence while the Glade wasn't bustling yet.
While you knew that the two of you still had some things to work through, and that Gallyâs habit of communicating poorly wasnât going to go away just like that, it was a good start. And that was all that mattered.
à§à synopsis. slavko takes you out on a date after the world cup final
à§à word count. 1k
à§à warnings. age gap, slight argentina slander?, this was written in a rush so not proofread
à§à a/n. I donât even know if anyone even wants to read something about this man but heâs just too hot
slavko sits across from you in a crisp, dark button-down, his silver hair still impeccably styled. he looks effortless and composed, despite having just spent ninety minutes managing twenty-two heated, world-class athletes on footballâs biggest stage.
the reservation was made days in advanceâa private corner table tucked away behind sheer linen drapes. you decided to stay a few extra days in new york after the final wrapped, purely so the two of you could steal some time away without any responsiblities.
without raising his voice, slavko subtly signals the waiter, ordering a bottle of wine and a lavish spread of dishes without a single glance at the prices. sliding the leather menu aside, he reaches across the small table, his fingers wrapping around yours with a gentle squeeze.
"you must be exhausted," you murmur, leaning your chin on your free hand as you take him in under the dim, golden light.
a subtle smile tugs at his lips, fine lines crinkling at the corners of his dark eyesâa quiet reminder of the years between you that never fails to make your pulse quicken.
"a little, yes," he admits softly. "but taking you out makes it all disappear. do you enjoy the match, my love?"
you tilt your head, a sly grin playing on your lips as your index finger lightly traces the crisp line of his shirt cuff. "to be completely honest? i barely paid attention."
he raises an eyebrow, genuinely amused as he leans an forearm onto the table. "no? not even with all those star players on the pitch? people pay thousands of dollars for those vip seats, you know."
"nope," you whisper, leaning across the small gap between you. "i was only watching you. you looked incredibly hot out there, running the pitch and keeping everyone in line."
a knowing smile touches his lips as he leans back into the plush leather booth. he is so grounded, so confident, over twenty years your senior, and possesses an accent that makes even simple words sound thrilling. the effortless way he dotes on youâtreating you like someone preciousâmakes you feel impossibly lucky.
"is that so?" his voice drops an octave. "here i think you are watching messi or yamal, but you were just distracting yourself with the old referee."
"you're the only man i'm interested in," you murmur, resting your other hand over his wrist and feeling the slow, steady rhythm of his pulse. "and you deserved to be out there tonight. you were fair, although i was kinda rooting for spain."
slavko raises your hand to his lips, brushing a warm, deliberate kiss against your knuckles.
"you have a habit of making me feel much younger than i am," he says, his dark gaze locking onto yours. "well, then. since you spent the last two hours taking care of your eyes, i suppose iâll just have to make sure the rest of your night is entirely worth your full attention."
"is that a promise, referee?" you tease, a soft smile returning to your lips. "because if i recall correctly, you're usually very strict about enforcing the rules."
slavko lets out a low chuckle, the deep sound vibrating softly in his chest. just then, the waiter arrives, placing two glasses of rich red wine and an array of delicate appetizers on the white tablecloth before quietly stepping back.
"on the pitch, absolute discipline is required. eighty thousand screaming fans and twenty-two egos expecting a firm hand." he lightly clinks his glass against yours, taking a slow sip before setting it down. "but tonight, my only rule is making sure you are utterly spoiled."
"eat a little," he adds, his tone brimming with fond indulgence as he leans forward. "i wouldn't want you running out of energy before the night even really begins."
warmth blooms across your cheeks. you let your gaze drift over the sharp angle of his jaw and the light silver stubble along his chin.
"i might just hold you to that," you murmur, lifting your wine glass while keeping your eyes on his. "you know i'm not easy to satisfy."
"good. i wouldn't have it any other way."
he picks up a small fork, selecting a delicate piece of seafood from the platter between you. resting his other wrist on the table, he offers it to you. you lean in and take it, the quiet intimacy of the gesture sending a spark along your spine.
setting the fork down, slavko reaches across the small table once more, his warm thumb resting gently against the curve of your cheekbone.
"you know," he murmurs softly, "during a stoppage in the second half, i happened to glance up at the big screen."
you blink, a quiet laugh escaping you. "did you?"
"i did," he nods, his eyes softening. "i was supposed to be focusing entirely on the restart, but for two seconds, my eyes strayed to your box."
his hand slides down to wrap firmly around yours once more, his thumb stroking the back of your hand.
"everyone in that stadium was watching the ball," he says softly. "and all i could think about is getting through those final minutes so i could take you back to the hotel."
you catch your breath, your heart hammering against your ribs as the candlelight flickers across his face.
"and now we're here," you whisper, leaning into his touch.
slavko smiles, a slow expression that warms his entire face.
"yes," he says quietly. "now we are here. so finish your wine and these appetizers, my love. we aren't staying in this restaurant much longer."
