How about alexander realizing how tiny we are next to him.. Especially his hands they're huuge and as someone short and has a size kink he's the perfect guy for that 😻
932 words, fluffy things. ♡
As much as you liked Sweden, you enjoyed being in New York City with him. The city buzzed from right outside of your window and there was a 24 hour deli just one block over where you guys went to grab beers and late night munchies. Alex would throw on his Ray-Bans and a sweatshirt, his effort to be incognito, but truly, there was no need. New York City was elusive like that. You could just sort of be, slip through the crowds quietly, go about your business. Especially when they slipped out at night, the Village was buzzing with people doing more exciting things than looking for a celebrity in a deli.
And the apartment? It had so much charm, which Alex was obsessed with. The exposed brick gave the small space a cozy feel, and the dark hardwoods that ran through the entire space warmed it up. There was an original fireplace, and crown-molding, which gave great balance to the the modern amenities and stainless steel. But speaking of amenities, other than the in-house laundry that you thanked heavens for- you were on the top floor, which meant access to the roof deck, which was yours as long as you held the lease. Completely private and high enough to be hidden from the world, it was your haven out there. You guys decorated it with string lights and throw pillows, and Alex had a plethora of plants that he got from Home-Depot out there. It was peaceful for him there, and in the Springtime when it got chilly at night, you and Alex would grab a few blankets and go up there, wine bottles in hand. You’d talk for hours. Listen to the noise of the city. Look at people walk by and wonder where they were off to.
That was your plan for this particular Saturday evening. There was no need need to go on a ‘run’ to the store, as he like to call them, because there was more than enough liquor in the house today. He waited patiently for you by the door that led up to the deck, a wine bottle in each hand, holding them tightly by the neck. “Baby? Kitchen’s fine, you know. You ready?” He questioned, cocking his head to the side a bit. He knew how compulsive you got with making sure the kitchen was sparkling. He was leaning with his back against the door, his eyes on you as you straightened up, a habit that you were never able to shake. Eyes on him now, you paused, like a thief who just got caught mid robbery. “I’m doing it again, aren’t I? Fuck. I’m awful, I know. Let me just get the glasses.” You tip toed to reach the white cupboards, prying one door open with force, his eyes still on you the entire time. When the door was open, you had to raise yourself higher, poking your head around as you hummed to yourself, looking for the wide rimmed glasses that Bill had gotten you as a housewarming gift.
Meanwhile, his eyes were still on you as you shuffled, especially looking at your feet which were propelling you into the cupboard as you tip toed up to find what you were looking for. He had to stifle a little laugh- surely, he could easily just walk over and grab them for you, but he knew that would come with a bunch of huffs and puffs- ‘what, you think because you’re freakishly tall, i can’t get some wine glasses in my own home?’- and that was not how he wanted this Saturday night in to go. So he watched, his amusement level high, and let you take your time to find what you needed. When you reached success, he was delighted by the wave of satisfaction that that washed over your face, a total opposite from the look of frustration from just moments before.
Like a king, head held high- you turned to face him, two glasses in hand, but there he was, lips folded in, his smile lines peeking through even though he was trying his hardest to hold back a grin. Your eyebrows tensed up, eyes narrowing in. Before you could even start, he did. “You’re so tiny.” You couldn’t believe your ears, so you moved in closer to him, trying to keep a straight face, gripping the glasses tightly, but saying nothing. You were in front of him now. His eyes lowered from yours, to your nose, then down to your lips. He scanned your face silently, still holding back a painful smile. A good ‘ole stare off between you both. His eyes broke it first, they fell to the small hands clutching onto the glasses, fingers stretched to hold the wide rim.
For a split second, you were going to let him finish. “What, are you going to say something about my elf hands, next?” And now, neither of you could hold back the smile, he burst into a heaving, uncontrollable laughs- you into a mess of giggles. It took a bit for you both to get it under control, still standing in front of each other. When it finally fell silent again, it stayed that way for a few seconds, you both trying to catch your breath. He broke the silence, glancing back down at your hands again, they were turning light pink from all the blood rushing to them. “They are...really fucking small, kiddo. Come. Let me show you how much I love you upstairs.” And you followed him after him, still shaking your head.
Note: Alex and his hands....ugh I hope this sufficed.
Soft Alex. Dating Phase. Snoh Allegra. The City. Words: 2,041. Dating phase goodness.......I have so many feels for it. As always, I hope you enjoy♡ (The ask: Do u listen to snoh aalegra? I keep imagining them in the dating phase but they’ve gone to her gig with their own friends and meet up unexpectedly and end up having a romantic night of just swaying to her music at the low lit club and exchanging soft words 😭 thank you for sending this in and ruining me)
There’s something so wonderfully enigmatic about summer-time in New York City. The tarmac is glistening from the heat, the day-time sun is hot, enough to keep the entire city pulsating and breathing through the night. There’s something in the air- this thrilling, wild energy, this feeling that anything can happen. Friends gather unexpectedly, running into each other in the streets, small taverns revive their outdoor terraces for the season. The parks and beaches stay open later, and they’re usually bustling throughout the evenings. People are happier than usual, neighbors greet each other for the first time in months.
The August days are long, but the sun had finally set, and she stripped down, eager to get out of the damp clothing. A cool shower can change anyone’s mood, revive the most exhausted. She stepped out refreshed, smelling like rose water and sandalwood, a nice change from the stale deodorant and sweat that clung to her before. She slipped into her tiny, short black dress that cinched snuggly at her waist, and hugged graciously on her curves. The familiar chime rang out as she dusted a earthy blush on the apples of her cheeks, signaling a stream of texts from the heinous group chat that she’d been tempted to put on mute for the last hour.
Snoh Allegra found her way to the city and is playing at The Highline Ballroom tonight, the turn out is delicious. The entire place just feels sexier, from her aura alone. Voice so strong, but soothing, like tea sweetened with milk but just enough honey, to make it yummy to drink. Drinks are flowing, weed smoke floats through the air, and everyone is laughing. Everyone in her friend group is...oddly, getting along, for once, and there’s not much that could make this moment better. Except......maybe Alexander being here?
Oh fuck- who the hell was she turning into? This is why she was hesitant to begin this…thing, in the first place. Alexander was hard to keep out of the brain as of late. Ever since their chance meeting in the East Village, he kept her phone warm, unashamed to make his presence known. She was grateful that he wasn’t the slightest bit clingy, but could instantly sense that he valued consistency, and taking up space. He frequently checked in on her, sending dumb little shit to her phone throughout the day, memes or whatever the fuck he saw that amused him, or just straight up goofy shit he saw around the city. The whole damn thing was all still exceptionally new, this idea of seeing each other. Most of the time it was just enjoying each other’s company, nothing too crazy, and was lovely this way. Experimental and new.
A familiar arm circled around her waist, pulling on her frame. She could tell by the smell alone who it was. A manicured hand lifted against the rigid chest. “Jim, you’re about one drink away from me cutting you off, again.” It was a joke, mostly. Naturally there would be that one friend who had one too many, too friggin’ early, and tonight it was Jimi’s turn. Completely harmless, but utterly annoying, and touchy-feely when he drank, he ignored her comment, staggering lightly. “Let me buy you another drink, fam. We’re came here to see Snoh, and your ass is sober?” And of course, the other motherfuckers that surrounded had to affirm his slurred words, urging her, ‘get another one; it’s on his dime.’ She huffed at the dramatics of her friends, she was certainly not sober, but she snatched his credit card out of his hand anyway and he winked at her. This earned brief eye-roll and she was off, away from her toxic little group of friends.
The bar on the opposite side of the room glowed like a beacon of hope as she made her way there, shuffling through pockets of people focused on the opening acts. She ignored a few stares to push her way to the counter, determined to get her drink before Snoh came on. She snickered when they asked if she wanted to open a tab, and obliged- Jimi’s karma for earlier. She waited for her drink, elbows propped on the counter, and she stared around the club, which to no surprise was getting packed out as the lady of the hour was about to come on soon.
It was the feeling of a warm hand gripping on her upper shoulder, close to the nape of her neck, that made her jump, and she turned, face already fixed and ready to give whoever the fuck it was touching her a good dose of her mind. Expecting to see one of her boys- she felt her heart lurch down into her pit of her tummy, realizing who the firm grip belonged to.
Alexander grinned at her, his blue eyes dancing with amusement. He looked good, as per usual, sporting a white linen shirt, and crisp dark denim. He leaned himself nimbly on the bar, his body flush next to hers, pressing comfortably. He smelt like whiskey, and tobacco and she inhaled his familiar scent unintentionally, which only gave her more butterflies in the very low part of her stomach. Even leaning, he still loomed over her, nearly casting a shadow, from being so giant. “What are the odds?” he asked with a simple, mischievous smile. She got a hint of the freshness that masked his breath, like he was sucking on a mint just before approaching her.
Muscles stiffened, moisture seeping through her pores, she could gag at her luck right now. She wanted to clutch her pearls and scream, but the liquor running through her calmed her nerves, a bit. The bartender slid the jack and coke her way, right on time, and Alexander’s face was turned away from the counter, focused in on completely her. She nodded a thanks for the beverage, buying herself a few seconds, before turning her head towards the Swede, pressing back comfortably against his side. They were shoulder to shoulder, or, body to body, in a sense, because she was too short to be perfectly aligned with his shoulders. “Are you following me, now, Skarsgard?” she said trying to mask the happiness she felt creeping all over her face, eyes slightly glazed over as she gazed back at him. He laughed, his cheeks covered in blush from smiling so hard. “Nahh,” he said in a casual tone, then he added a goofy little, “..Maybe,” tilting his head with a little shrug, jokingly. The close proximity of his face next to hers made the club feel so much smaller, and it was already quite intimate on it’s own.
For a brief moment she wondered if this was even real, or if someone had dropped something in her drink earlier, because it was so wildly random. “Are you really here, right now?” she questioned, narrowing her eyes and bringing the tip of her finger to to the bridge of his nose. She lightly glided her small finger down, wiping away the moisture that had accumulated, a smile creeping over her lips that traveled all the way up to her eyes, the same thing mirroring in his his. He chuckled, but went quiet at her touch, the blush in his cheeks burning brighter now. “I didn’t know you were into Snoh.” she said, her chest tight and heaving lightly. There was a hell of a lot more things that she didn’t know about the man, so it was a comical thing to say, but he just nodded, that small smile still playing on his lips. “She’s good,” he admitted earnestly, “And I’m here with people. My best friend Dada, he’s here. And a few others.” He paused briefly, his eyes traveling down her face, falling on her lips before going back up to her eyes. She took a long sip from her straw, her nerves shot under his gaze, heat crawling all over her skin from it. “Are...you here...with people..?” he started, wetting his lips. His voice was gentle, anxious, a little softer. She touched his arm instantly, a slightly alarmed look taking over he face as she nodded, a little too eager to reassure him that she was not here on a date of any kind, His eyes instantly softened, eyebrows that were knitted together, finally relaxing. Truth was...lately, that was reserved for him.
Gaze casted down and fingers intertwined so they wouldn’t lose each other, he led her back to his section at the very top level of the club. He was stealing her away from her friends, but she felt eager to be whisked away. She always had butterflies around him, but this scene was different, the dimly lit, crowded club, the music that was swallowing up the room, the buzz of it all. Alexander introduced her to everyone, and he was unable to hide his delight as he did so. Dada wrapped her into a huge, bear hug, and she fluffed his golden locks. “Heard a few things about you from this one,” he said with a goofy little wink, beckoning towards Alex. Before she could question him any further, Alexander was pulling her away and wrapping her up in his arms, groaning at his friend. “Snoh’s on.” he muttered in her ear, and she shivered from his breath on her neck. The lights turned a delicious hazy, rosy color, dimmed a few notches, and the goddess herself was on the stage, belting out the most gorgeous melodies. She sounded even more magical live, which was so satisfying. Ugh. Those feels again, right, Snoh?
‘It's not that I don't want you here. It's somethin' 'bout the way you stare into my eyes.’
Snoh pulled everyone in, but she felt captivated by her steady, smooth voice, and her statuesque frame, and of course- her beauty. She was in a bit of a trace from her, sort of stuck, and jumped a little when Alexander wrapped his arms around her small waist. His large frame came flush with her body from behind, rigid chest pressed sturdily against her back, and she instantly settled into the cozy embrace. She felt her tension fading, from being against him, but nerves still beamed in the depths of her tummy. She just fit in his arms, and he cradled her waist with precision and care, she could swear she felt a territorial vibe from the way he held onto her, shielding her from the rest of the group. He tucked his head near her ear, coming real close. “You good?” His voice was a low murmur in her ear, and she felt her intimacy twitch, but she just nodded, affirming that his touch was absolutely perfect.
She would genuinely be upset if he let go, and she raised her drink to his lips, and he took a small sip from behind her. They swayed gently to the soft songs, finding their rhythm, adjusting every now and again, and it didn’t take long for her nerves to melt away entirely. It was natural and seamless being with him, and the moment was to be enjoyed without restraint. “She’s perfect,” she murmured to him, convinced the woman on the stage was some form of angel. Alexander chuckled lightly and nodded, but it was brief. “This is perfect.” he challenged into her ear, nuzzling into her hair. “Being here with you. This is going to be hard to beat.” She had to pause, to mull over the fact that she was completely fucked, charmed under whatever...Swedish magic he sprinkled on her. And, he told no lies, the moment would be hard to beat, the soft light, the ambiance, the way Snoh was serenading them with her sweet, melodies. She turned her head towards his face, leaving a soft, lingering open mouthed kiss on his lips, squeezing tightly on his hands wrapped around her waist. He breathed her in, hungry for her, tightening that grip on her waist. She had to stop herself from squeezing her legs shut completely when she felt his soft tongue touch hers, and she felt herself getting flustered, blushing all over. This was bliss- pure, serendipitous, bliss.
Click for Part 1 & the ask that started this mess.
Disclaimer: I didn’t really expect this to turn out so long, but I will be honest, I got in my feelings with this one. These two just continue to kind of fuck me up, especially with all the prompts and feedback you guys send in. Today was so long for me, hope it was better for everyone else, and I just escaped into this little piece. You guys can expect a part three, I think, (if you’d like) where I hopefully conclude this bit, so let me know what you guys think and all that good stuff, lovelies. Hope everyone has a good night x
(Location: Sweden, Alex’s humble abode)
He didn’t come home until the morning. It was almost 3:38 am, to be exact, she remembered because she was in the kitchen at the exact moment he stepped inside, steeping a Chamomile tea bag in her rusty sherbet colored ceramic mug. For someone who was so jet lagged, sleep would not come to her after their falling out. Immediately after he left, she attempted to lay back down, but to no avail. Twists and turns in the sheets, ripping the duvet off her body and throwing it onto the ground. She went like this until couldn’t take it anymore. Her body was so uncomfortable, miserable even.She felt like she was over heating, like her blood was still hot. Was it a fever? Was she burning up? Or was it just the unprocessed rage still muddled in her chest from earlier?
Processing was, well....a process for her. She was a champ at blocking out any wink of trauma until she was ready to dissect it, a personal defense mechanism she had picked up since adolescence. She had wrapped her mind around the fact that he had called her crazy, twice. She didn’t care for pity, but coming from Alex, it hurt more than she expected it to. He wanted her to just roll over and do whatever the fuck he said with beaming doe-eyes. Unfortunately, she was too strong for that shit. Plus, affection was never her thing before meeting Alex. She had to adjust to his doting nature early on, and it took time, but she liked to think she had gotten there. He liked her on his arm, by his side, at his leisure. He liked feeling...dominant, sometimes, and she was figuring out how to give that to him, without loosing herself entirely in the process.
But tonight, she felt back at square one. Utterly alone, and misunderstood was the best way she could rationalize it. Being so many miles away from her own bed wasn’t helping, and she craved her East Village apartment and having a cigarette on her terrace. After she gave up on the idea of sleeping, she sat for a while, in the darkness. It was so silent without him, and empty. She was grateful for the solitude. She found herself eventually making her way around his room. Her fingers leafed through a hefty script on his night stand, her eyes skimmed the titles of the novels he had stacked on a thin, wooden shelf. She took a walk, to the bathroom, and back. She tugged open the sliding doors in the bedroom, which led to a small, private patio. Indoor outdoor living, is what the realtor told him. Her migraine persisted, and she closed her eyes from discomfort every now and again, massaging at her temple.
When he stumbled in, smelling like a mixture of whiskey and vodka, she had already rolled her suitcase and stacked it neatly next to her carry on by the front door. He nearly tripped on it as he walked in, and looked down at it like he wanted to fight, before realizing what the hell it even was. Drunk or not, he knew, so he very quickly and silently made his way to the kitchen, where she stood, steeping her tea in silence.
She listened to the sound of his footsteps approaching the large kitchen, her body rigid, stoic even. The footsteps ceased, and she could see his figure in her peripheral, her eyes glued to her cup still, hands outstretched to reach for the the honey on the counter. He broke the silence, his voice was raspy, like he had been talking too loud and too fast all night. ”Just not going to say anything, then?” he pressed, his voice cracking slightly.
“What’s there to say?” she mused with toxic nonchalance. She was good, had collected herself well. She was dangerous when she was like this, untouchable. He was gone long enough for her to get an angry cry out, and scream into his pillow. Now, she felt like she was floating on a cloud, with no real fucks left to give. She was even dressed- socks on and all, ready to head back to the comforting bustle of the city that kept her safe.
The last thing he expected was to see her packed, though. Surely, she wouldn’t leave Sweden, not so soon? She had only just arrived, and in his drunk state, he wanted to believe that. But he couldn’t ignore the sinking feeling in his heart, that signaled something else. He was well aware that she was entirely capable of hopping a flight, and leaving just as fast as she came. But, he didn’t want to believe that, or acknowledge it, just yet. “You’re leaving?” he demanded, blue eyes narrowed, glued to her side profile. “Could you look at me, at least?” His voice was laced with neediness, and just edged on pleading.
She wasn’t one to deny him, even now, and she turned, looking at him with a solemn blink, her face still stone cold. You’re fucking crazy, was all she could think about as her gaze finally reached his, and she glared back at him. Her eyes scanned over his face, that familiar glaze in his eye that only happened when he was well past tipsy. Those same eyes looked darker, cloudy, even. And she noticed, but did her best to ignore, the slight look of worry that was casted over the top portion of his face, while the bottom did its best to maintain a stern composure.
“Thank you.” his voice was much softer this time, he had notably dropped it a few notches.
He tried again, that voice still soft, even remorseful. “So...you’re leaving?”
She blinked again, cocking her head to the side, wetting her lips and taking her sweet time before opening her mouth to speak again. “Yeah...I am.”
Silence swallowed them up whole, the only audible thing was the hum of the refrigerator, which made everything feel...eerie, if that was possible. And they were having another one of their famous stare offs, like two wild animals, unsure of who would strike first, who would make the next move.
So I kinda had a toxic relationship and it really traumatized me u know I did make mistakes through it but I always tried to be better what really hurts are my ex's words to me he said that I'm the reason why no one loves me, that no one will stick around for me - he knew this is my biggest fear in the world and he used it against me so I'm kinda of afraid to start new one how would alex reassure someone with this fear? If it's too much you can ignore this. thank you
Note: Hey babe, i am so sorry to hear that...i can relate and feel you hard. i do hope i did this some type of justice for you. Enjoy.
“What’s your biggest fear?”
You paused, unsure of how to really answer. Would you be truthful, like...completely truthful? That would require a trip down memory lane, an extremely painful place that you chose to stay away from. But, it was fair game. He could ask anything, and you had to answer, that was the only rule. Whether you lied, well, he would never really know that, would he?
“That no one will stay.” your voice was low, hesitant. You didn’t know how much you were really willing to share with Alexander, but you knew you wanted to talk about it.
Blue orbs glued to you, he was taken aback, a little shocked at how raw your answer was. “Baby...could you maybe...tell me...why would you think that?” he responded gently, blinking a few times. He didn’t want to pry, you could tell. He wanted you to be comfortable with telling him, he was willing to go at your pace. This made you feel at somewhat at peace, and you nodded, before explaining. “Past shit, you know? Life.” you took a breath, and he waited for you to go on. You did.
“I was...in something. Something really fucked up. And I’m not saying I was perfect. Far from it. But, he told me something...and it stuck with me. Told me...I was the reason. The reason that no one cares enough to stay.” you shrugged, swallowing, your throat suddenly feeling dry and itchy. “Said I’m the reason no one loves me.” For a second, you briefly regretted saying it, because you hated how it sounded out-loud. But there was also an anchor like weight that was lifted, and you closed your eyes for a second.
He was silent too, he let you sit with your eyes closed, until you opened them again. He let you have a moment, to just sit with it, let it float in the air between you all. “Can I say something?” he asked finally, and you nodded, with a small tired smile.
“Carrying all that with you, baby girl...it’s going to get heavy.” He reached a hand out to brush back the hair from your face, and stroked his thumb on your cheek lightly. You leaned into his touch.
“But I’m..still...scared, Alex.” you murmured.
“Hey, I know. And i know it’s not going to happen over night...but let me take some of that off of you,” he whispered back.
“Don’t let anyone ever tell you about yourself like that.” It was a little stern, and you looked at him with doubtful eyes. “You are the most wonderful little human I’ve met, thus far. D’you know that?” This earned a smile, which made him smile.
“There it is, Princess. My favorite smile. And...I promise you, if people want to leave...that’s their prerogative... but I won’t. You might not believe me right now, but as long as you want me, I’ll be around.” And there was something so real and grounding about his words, and the look in those baby blues when he spoke. You leaned into his chest, putting your head in the crook of his neck, closing your eyes, just resting. He kissed your head softly, closing his eyes too, prepared to stay there for as long as you needed.
How did alex tell reader about his breeding kink? Was he shy and ashamed at first? How did he react when he found out that she has it too?
(why, thank you for sending this in. stay tuned for how he reacted when he actually finds out about hers, which will be nsfw as shit.)
Very very early on in the relationship. Everyone talks about the honeymoon phase and what not, but you know the...dating phase? Before all the titles, when you’re just learning each other, realizing that you actually like this human that you’ve been seeing often. Maybe you are realizing that you might want to see more of this human, maybe...even, make them your human?
So, they were out for dinner, seeing each other for a smidgen over a month. It was date night, and Alex was taking her for Italian at Harry’s in Lower Manhattan. The tables there are so tiny, you’re practically in your date’s face when you’re sitting, and it’s loud and packed in there, especially on a Friday night, but that works out well with the tiny tables and all. The lighting is dim, there’s candles, the ambiance just gives...summer sex in Italy. So they’re sitting across from each other and Alex has to shout to speak to her, but they’ve had three glasses of Prosecco, each, and she has had the hiccups for the last eight minutes, so it’s all kind of a joke at that point. And so he leans forward, way past tipsy, licks his lips.
“I want 9 kids.”
She was mid chew- but right on cue as he says that, she hiccups, brows shooting up so fast she thought her contact lens came out of place in one eye. Her face stays like that but she covers her mouth so she can finish chewing, and he chuckles like a nerd, clearly pleased with himself.
“Okay, uhm, there it is?” she added, trying to hide the smile that was creeping up on the sides of her mouth. There was no denying that she was wine-drunk as fuck, right now, and she felt her hands start to sweat a little. The alcohol was numbing whatever reservations she felt, but she still felt herself blushing from his words.
“There it is.” he agreed, cooly. “How does that make you feel?”
“I mean.....doesn’t mean you’re shooting up this gym, sir.” Of course she was going to tease him, she wasn’t going to give up the goodies just yet, even though she was clenching her legs together under the table, because of the pressing heat she felt growing there. Ab-so-fucking lutely, she would give him ten babies, if he wanted, and for a second, and thought she was dreaming. Yet still, she persisted. She took a large gulp of wine to buy her time, purposefully looking away, her eyes on the bar.
He gaped a bit, but it was playful, he could tell. He tipped the nearly empty glass of wine into his mouth.
“Gonna let me get them from someone else, then?” it was mostly a joke, there was an earnest conviction in his tone that annoyed her.
Her eyes snapped back to his. “Fuck you. Did I say all of that?” she asked with a small roll of her eyes. She bit her lip, sitting back in her seat, raising her glass lazily to her mouth. She took a small sip before placing it back down again. She stared him dead in the eyes. “You want boys, or girls?”
“Doesn’t matter. Healthy babies, from the same lady, is cool.” they were having a stare off, weird eye contact that they couldn’t break. He was watching her with so much intensity, still holding the glass to his lips. She felt like he was staking her out, maybe trying to read her, or trying to choose which features of hers their baby would take, and she clenched her legs tighter. “I just...like the thought of one lady having a lot my babies, don’t know why, it’s weird.” he shrugged passively, and for a split second, she had to hold her breath. He was being dead serious, sharing something with her, and it didn’t take a genius to see that. Even her goofy, drunk ass could tell. She had to take a longer sip, before she spoke again, but he was patient with her, he waited.
“It’s not.” she blurted finally, still swallowing her drink. They were still fighting to speak over the music, and so she nudged his leg under the table for emphasis. The wine had lifted her inhibitions. His cocked his head slightly, as if he wanted her to explain, and she leaned forward again, eyes on his, and said simply, “Your fantasy is safe with me. Promise.” He eyed her but quickly held out his pinky. He made her kiss it after they intertwined them, and he was a little puzzled as to why her finger was so damp, not realizing she had been sweating the entire conversation.
