For musesandlyrics | 1.30 "I'm Like a Bird" lyrics
1.30. And though my love is rare
And though my love is true
Hey I'm just scared
That we may fall through
'I'm Like A Bird' - Nelly Furtado
[Co-written with tacticalmind | Follows THIS and THIS]
The truth was Leila had agonised over the choice of bar for a long time. Ever since Rob had left it up to her. She knew the City, or at least some of it, but that didn't mean she would pick a place he liked. Add in the dancing, and Leila felt under pressure. She was tempted just to take the easy route and make it at The Bondi. At least she knew for sure it had good food, beer, and dancing. Only she figured the point of a first date was to take Rob somewhere special.
Leila remembered a bar from the last time she'd been in New York, a place she'd hit one night after a gig to blow off some steam and grab some food. It was a few blocks from The Bondi in Soho, but it catered to a different crowd, and had never presented Luke with any competition. That was the thing about New York, it seemed to be able to support a never-ending number of nightspots. She remembered that the food had been amazing, and the cocktails had definitely aided in her dancing ability. She was never one for cocktails, but sometimes they just hit the right spot. Especially the chocolate ones. Now, here with Rob, the food was just as good as she remembered, but it was the company more than anything else. They'd managed to work in a bit of dancing already, and Leila had managed to ignore the cocktails in favour of beer like Rob.
After another round of dancing to work off the main meal, Leila sat close to her date, her hand in his as they kept their heads together and their voices low. Despite the buzzing atmosphere, Rob and Leila seemed to have managed to create their own little private bubble where the outside world didn't intrude. Even after all the usual awkwardness at the beginning of the date.
She wet her lips, her blue eyes fixed on him. Despite the fact he'd said he'd liked her in glasses, Leila was wearing contacts tonight. She was also wearing a skirt, the first one she'd worn in years, and she was still paranoid. What she thought was going to happen, she didn't know. Probably a Seven Year Itch moment where she walked over a grate, and it puffed up. "Any ideas about dessert, Littlerock?" she asked the soldier.
Rob had been biting down on his lip and trying to discreetly shift in his chair. He looked momentarily like he had been caught doing something he shouldn't and then laughed. "Not really," he admitted. "I'm still trying to wrap my head all 'round the rest of the menu. I'm admittedly usually just an apple pie and ice cream kinda guy. I don't know if I can even pronounce some of the things on the menu. I think I've lived on rations for far too long. I'm just thankful it's not out of a can or tube." He had managed to get over his nerves pretty early on in the date, his Mom's wise words sitting not to far from his mind the whole time. To be honest, talking to her on the phone had been a big help. Touching base with home reminded him that he wasn't necessarily doing everything wrong by going on a date or wanting to go on the date, even. It was just about learning lessons, and letting himself be happy after everything falling down around him in the previous months.
Leila smiled, and brushed a kiss against his jaw. "They have apple pie. They're not as fancy as they seem. I'm sorry if this isn't really your thing. I tried my best. I'm glad you liked the food, though. If you're not having fun, we can leave. Maybe grab some pie on the way from some little bakery."
Rob looked at her uncertainly. "Did I somewhere along the lines make you think I didn't want to be here?" he asked. "That wasn't my intention. I'm sorry. I like the place. I'll shut up now. I don't really have a thing, if that helps."
Leila blinked. "No, no. I'm sorry, it's my fault. Momentary brain spasm. I wasn't sure if you definitely liked it here. I guess it just takes a little while to remember you haven't been in the City before, and that you've been away for a while. I promise my brain is working, really. And that glasses aren't just to make me look smart. Or that the blonde goes right into my brain and stops me from thinking." Leila flushed with embarrassment, firmly wishing her foot had stayed out of her mouth. "Please don't shut up. I like hearing you talk. Does all the canned and tube stuff even taste different to each other? Can you tell what they're trying to be?"
Rob's eyes had been on her face as she rambled and he laughed softly. "Well, sure. We even get labels to help tell the difference. They aren't all bad. It's so hot over there a lot of the time, you don't feel like eating much. What you miss out on, you make up your protein swallowing bugs, so it evens out," he joked and took a sip of his beer. "It's pretty intense, though. You don't want an awful lot flopping around in your gut when you're running around in camos with heavy packs on your back. At least, that's how I feel. Hence why I appreciate a really good meal when one is on offer, and I promise, I really like the place. It was a great choice. I'm having a really nice time."
"When I think of rations, I just remember those space bars what used to be in supermarkets years ago. I'm still not sure what the actual flavour was supposed to be," Leila said with a shake of her head as she laughed. "I'm sorry, I have to admit I'm still pretty ignorant about Army life. Everything I know I've learned from movies and TV. I can only imagine just how hard it really is. I'm having a really nice time, too. Foot in mouth aside."
Rob shook his head in amusement. "It ain't like the movies or TV. Okay, so some do come kinda close, but you can't really inject the true emotion or feeling of being there into a film. It isn't real. That isn't to say I don't enjoy a good war film, I just see it different. And I keep saying that, I know. That just tends to be the case when you deal with life and death. There have definitely been times I've wished I could just quit and not be there. Not always in battle, either." The waiter came over, pen poised to take their dessert order. Rob had been looking at Leila so intently, he almost forgot about dessert. He cleared his throat and picked up the menu, placing it in her hands. "Why don't you order for us? Anything you want."
Leila almost jumped out of her skin at the sight of the waiter, Rob the only thing on her mind even if she had been the one to bring up dessert moments ago. She looked down at the menu, and bit her lip. She hummed quietly, weighing up the choices against what she knew of Rob, and his liking of apple pie. She was tempted to order something completely different, but it felt wrong. She glanced up at the waiter with a smile and ordered two slices of apple pie with ice cream. She handed the menu to him, and as soon as he had it written down, her gaze was back on Rob. "Truth be told, it's been a while since I had apple pie. You kind of planted a craving."
"My Mom makes the best apple pie," Rob laughed and shifted in his seat a little. "But I can't turn it down in general. It just makes me think of home, and again, a luxury I don't generally get on the job. I keep telling myself I need to open my eyes a little more, but to be honest, New York is daunting as all hell. I came into a couple of stores today and went home feeling like I got caught in a whirlwind and spat out the other side. I got on the wrong bus, then the wrong subway train. I think I might need to stick to cabs," he laughed.
"Or just stick with your personal tour guide." Leila winked at him, and leaned in to kiss his lips softly. "And I did warn you that first night we met not to show the City fear. It can smell it. It really is like an organism. But I like it. I guess a lot of it has to do with growing up with family here. Andy's been here for ages, even longer than Luke. But they're close. Like brothers. I just happened to tag along for most of it. Andy stayed with me in London last year after his Dad died." Leila shrugged off the sudden sadness she felt, and smirked a little. "The only thing my Mum can make is the best Anzac biscuits ever. It's not something you get easily in America, or anywhere besides Australia. I always look forward to her packages. I keep trying to make them in the hopes I'll get it right, but it never tastes quite right."
Rob laughed. "Actually, I do know what an ANZAC is, just not that they had their biscuit. Now I feel kinda jealous." He was shifting again, wondering if going for a pee might stop the pinching. He had opted for the new pants, not really having much choice, and now they were pinching in strange places. "I'm really sorry about your uncle. That had to have been tough. It sounds like y'all are a really close family. And I didn't exactly show it that much fear until this shop girl was throwing all these weird looking clothes at me."
"Was she a girly-girl? They're the worst shop assistants. I always just glare at them, and they scuttle away." Leila watched him, glancing down with concern. The pants had definitely looked a little tight, but she hadn't really said anything. "You okay there, Littlerock? You kind of look like you're doing the pee dance, only it's more of a wriggle."
Rob immediately flushed at being sprung. "My pants are pinching," he admitted sheepishly. "Like pinching. I broke the zip on my other nice pants, panicked, and ran out into the city to try and get some replacements. I went into this guys clothing store and this girl told me these were the right ones. They cost a bomb and they're starting to nip in odd places. I feel like she's given me about three sizes too small."
Leila couldn't help it as she touched Rob's leg, feeling the material strain over his thigh. "I was wondering after our conversation about tight pants... They really leave nothing to the imagination. Not a bad thing, but the waitress we walked past earlier looked like she was drooling. If you can't wait, we can get the apple pie in a doggy bag, and get back to your place so you can change. I'm sorry this made you risk your manhood. I don't want you losing body parts on my account."
Rob shook his head. "No, it's okay. I'm pretty tough. If you can put up with my wriggling now and again," he added hastily. "I just bought them. I was in a hurry by then, and worried I wouldn't get back in time if I got lost. My other pants were just a lost cause/ I didn't bring all that much with me in general. If this is fashion, I'm more than happy being a dork. The store had these pictures of young models on the walls making the clothes look downright awesome, for sure, but I ain't no model," he laughed.
"Yeah, but they're still wearing clothes that fit," she pointed out. "It's okay, I can handle the wiggling. Just wanted to make sure you were okay. I'm getting pretty protective of your well-being." Leila couldn't help her gaze slipping down again though, checking out the bulge in his pants. She was half tempted to unzip him, and at least let that part hang out so she was sure it was safe. And maybe even in her hands. This time Leila gave a little wriggle. She wasn't meant to be thinking about sex right now.
Rob followed her line of sight and then cupped her cheek in his hand, tilting her face up to meet his eyes again. He wet his lips and exhaled slowly. "You keep doing that, I'm going to risk castrating myself," he warned with a laugh, holding her gaze as his hand remained touching her cheek. He couldn't help it. It wouldn't take much of her to arouse him at all, and it hadn't all night. He had been drawing a lot of self-control that was getting harder and harder to maintain.
Leila bit her cheek to stop herself from trying to look down again. "I don't want you to castrate yourself. I've grown pretty fond of that particular part of your body. Not that I don't find the rest of you hot. I promised Luke I would behave."
"I didn't know if we should head down that route on the first date anyway," Rob admitted, biting his lip through a smile. "Thoughts?"
Leila's skin started to warm as she held his gaze. "None that won't sound dirty," she revealed with a laugh. "I really don't know."
Rob exhaled slowly, taking his hand away to scratch his head. "I just feel like I could have been skipping all this sort of stuff in favour of just getting down and dirty, only I don't really want to fuck it all up. I thought doing the right thing was the key to that, but it's not all about, of course. I'm trying to bounce off you a lil here, no pun intended."
Leila leaned in for a kiss, unable to help herself. It was long, slow, and lingered as she tasted him. "I'm not here because I want sex. I'm here because I want to be with you. The fact that the sex is seriously fucking good is a bonus. I won't say no, but I don't want you to feel pressured, or like it's all I want you for. Because it's not."
Rob met her eyes as the kiss eased off and he smiled, drawing his lip in between his teeth for a moment. "We should just let the date do it's thing, and see how it goes at the end," he realised, knowing it was a bit of a process to work through his hang ups. But she got it. She wasn't snickering at him or rolling her eyes at his attempts to do the right thing like some girls would. Truth was, Rob valued tradition and he'd always been raised to respect women. "The thing is, a few years ago, I probably would have just skipped the date and moved straight onto sex. I'm just finding myself swept off my feet with you a little and I'm not sure where I should hang on or how tight," he laughed, shaking his head. "But you know what, I think we should just dance."
"Sure we don't risk chaffing the goods?" Leila asked, her eyes sparkling. She took his hand again, ready to tug him out onto the dance floor. "And hey, the sweeping's working both ways, you know. I'm okay with slow. This is just the beginning, right?"
"Hey, I lasted this long. No one can accuse me of not having any stamina," Rob said with a smirk as he rose out of his seat to follow her. He pulled her close to him, enjoying that the music was already on the slow side. "Here's hoping it is. I'm just hoping we have time."
Leila looped her arms around his neck and pressed her body close. Maybe they weren't going to do the sex thing, but she could still be as close to him as possible. "How about we forget about keeping track of time, and just enjoy each day as it comes. The day it doesn't come... We'll figure something out then."
Rob laughed softly, holding her gaze. "You know, that's exactly what my Mom said. I told her about you. She's a typical Mom, she worries, and may have become the slightest hint of homicidal towards my wife. Probably a good thing she ain't in Littlerock right now." He leaned in and kissed her softly. "Do you do this sort of thing often?"
"She sounds like a very smart woman. I like her already, besides the cooking thing," Leila said with a grin. She licked her lips after the kiss, her brow creased in a slight frown. "What sort of thing?"
Rob shrugged as he comfortably fell into a slow rhythm dancing to the slow song. "Dates like this, going out, just enjoying yourself, nice dinners, all that type of thing," he elaborated, looking around. "I really should do it more often. Burger joint and a beer doesn't quite have the same feeling, does it?"
"No, but burger joints and beers shouldn't be sniffed at either. To answer your question, I probably don't do it as often as I should." Leila rest her head against his, and closed her eyes. "And in a way I'm glad, because that just makes it more special."
Rob rubbed his hands slowly and affectionately over her hips. "You know what, I think we should have a picnic next time. Maybe go for a drive up north, well away from the city, stay overnight or something. If you want to," he suggested with a smile. "Am I going to kill you with the cheesy romance? I've just missed out on a lot that I'm realising I really want. Only, I don't want to do it alone."
"There's nothing sadder than a man alone on a picnic." Leila turned her head to nuzzle in against the crook of his neck. "I can't really say no, can I? You won't kill me with the cheesy romance. It's not so cheesy when you do it. Even if you make me say cheesy things."
"How about just lying in bed, no bells and whistles, just the remote control, a movie and maybe some microwave popcorn?" Rob asked, smirking at the thought. "Or hot dogs, or pizza. Maybe ice cream out of the tub with a spoon."
"All of the above, and I'm there," Leila told him with a smile as she lifted her head to kiss him. There was definitely a sense that she was falling for him. And she wasn't entirely sure she had any wish to stop herself.
Words: 3159 | All muses referred to with permission and come from the princeton2nyc verse
And though my love is true
Hey I'm just scared
That we may fall through
'I'm Like A Bird' - Nelly Furtado
[Co-written with tacticalmind | Follows THIS and THIS]
The truth was Leila had agonised over the choice of bar for a long time. Ever since Rob had left it up to her. She knew the City, or at least some of it, but that didn't mean she would pick a place he liked. Add in the dancing, and Leila felt under pressure. She was tempted just to take the easy route and make it at The Bondi. At least she knew for sure it had good food, beer, and dancing. Only she figured the point of a first date was to take Rob somewhere special.
Leila remembered a bar from the last time she'd been in New York, a place she'd hit one night after a gig to blow off some steam and grab some food. It was a few blocks from The Bondi in Soho, but it catered to a different crowd, and had never presented Luke with any competition. That was the thing about New York, it seemed to be able to support a never-ending number of nightspots. She remembered that the food had been amazing, and the cocktails had definitely aided in her dancing ability. She was never one for cocktails, but sometimes they just hit the right spot. Especially the chocolate ones. Now, here with Rob, the food was just as good as she remembered, but it was the company more than anything else. They'd managed to work in a bit of dancing already, and Leila had managed to ignore the cocktails in favour of beer like Rob.
After another round of dancing to work off the main meal, Leila sat close to her date, her hand in his as they kept their heads together and their voices low. Despite the buzzing atmosphere, Rob and Leila seemed to have managed to create their own little private bubble where the outside world didn't intrude. Even after all the usual awkwardness at the beginning of the date.
She wet her lips, her blue eyes fixed on him. Despite the fact he'd said he'd liked her in glasses, Leila was wearing contacts tonight. She was also wearing a skirt, the first one she'd worn in years, and she was still paranoid. What she thought was going to happen, she didn't know. Probably a Seven Year Itch moment where she walked over a grate, and it puffed up. "Any ideas about dessert, Littlerock?" she asked the soldier.
Rob had been biting down on his lip and trying to discreetly shift in his chair. He looked momentarily like he had been caught doing something he shouldn't and then laughed. "Not really," he admitted. "I'm still trying to wrap my head all 'round the rest of the menu. I'm admittedly usually just an apple pie and ice cream kinda guy. I don't know if I can even pronounce some of the things on the menu. I think I've lived on rations for far too long. I'm just thankful it's not out of a can or tube." He had managed to get over his nerves pretty early on in the date, his Mom's wise words sitting not to far from his mind the whole time. To be honest, talking to her on the phone had been a big help. Touching base with home reminded him that he wasn't necessarily doing everything wrong by going on a date or wanting to go on the date, even. It was just about learning lessons, and letting himself be happy after everything falling down around him in the previous months.
Leila smiled, and brushed a kiss against his jaw. "They have apple pie. They're not as fancy as they seem. I'm sorry if this isn't really your thing. I tried my best. I'm glad you liked the food, though. If you're not having fun, we can leave. Maybe grab some pie on the way from some little bakery."
Rob looked at her uncertainly. "Did I somewhere along the lines make you think I didn't want to be here?" he asked. "That wasn't my intention. I'm sorry. I like the place. I'll shut up now. I don't really have a thing, if that helps."
Leila blinked. "No, no. I'm sorry, it's my fault. Momentary brain spasm. I wasn't sure if you definitely liked it here. I guess it just takes a little while to remember you haven't been in the City before, and that you've been away for a while. I promise my brain is working, really. And that glasses aren't just to make me look smart. Or that the blonde goes right into my brain and stops me from thinking." Leila flushed with embarrassment, firmly wishing her foot had stayed out of her mouth. "Please don't shut up. I like hearing you talk. Does all the canned and tube stuff even taste different to each other? Can you tell what they're trying to be?"
Rob's eyes had been on her face as she rambled and he laughed softly. "Well, sure. We even get labels to help tell the difference. They aren't all bad. It's so hot over there a lot of the time, you don't feel like eating much. What you miss out on, you make up your protein swallowing bugs, so it evens out," he joked and took a sip of his beer. "It's pretty intense, though. You don't want an awful lot flopping around in your gut when you're running around in camos with heavy packs on your back. At least, that's how I feel. Hence why I appreciate a really good meal when one is on offer, and I promise, I really like the place. It was a great choice. I'm having a really nice time."
"When I think of rations, I just remember those space bars what used to be in supermarkets years ago. I'm still not sure what the actual flavour was supposed to be," Leila said with a shake of her head as she laughed. "I'm sorry, I have to admit I'm still pretty ignorant about Army life. Everything I know I've learned from movies and TV. I can only imagine just how hard it really is. I'm having a really nice time, too. Foot in mouth aside."
Rob shook his head in amusement. "It ain't like the movies or TV. Okay, so some do come kinda close, but you can't really inject the true emotion or feeling of being there into a film. It isn't real. That isn't to say I don't enjoy a good war film, I just see it different. And I keep saying that, I know. That just tends to be the case when you deal with life and death. There have definitely been times I've wished I could just quit and not be there. Not always in battle, either." The waiter came over, pen poised to take their dessert order. Rob had been looking at Leila so intently, he almost forgot about dessert. He cleared his throat and picked up the menu, placing it in her hands. "Why don't you order for us? Anything you want."
Leila almost jumped out of her skin at the sight of the waiter, Rob the only thing on her mind even if she had been the one to bring up dessert moments ago. She looked down at the menu, and bit her lip. She hummed quietly, weighing up the choices against what she knew of Rob, and his liking of apple pie. She was tempted to order something completely different, but it felt wrong. She glanced up at the waiter with a smile and ordered two slices of apple pie with ice cream. She handed the menu to him, and as soon as he had it written down, her gaze was back on Rob. "Truth be told, it's been a while since I had apple pie. You kind of planted a craving."
"My Mom makes the best apple pie," Rob laughed and shifted in his seat a little. "But I can't turn it down in general. It just makes me think of home, and again, a luxury I don't generally get on the job. I keep telling myself I need to open my eyes a little more, but to be honest, New York is daunting as all hell. I came into a couple of stores today and went home feeling like I got caught in a whirlwind and spat out the other side. I got on the wrong bus, then the wrong subway train. I think I might need to stick to cabs," he laughed.
"Or just stick with your personal tour guide." Leila winked at him, and leaned in to kiss his lips softly. "And I did warn you that first night we met not to show the City fear. It can smell it. It really is like an organism. But I like it. I guess a lot of it has to do with growing up with family here. Andy's been here for ages, even longer than Luke. But they're close. Like brothers. I just happened to tag along for most of it. Andy stayed with me in London last year after his Dad died." Leila shrugged off the sudden sadness she felt, and smirked a little. "The only thing my Mum can make is the best Anzac biscuits ever. It's not something you get easily in America, or anywhere besides Australia. I always look forward to her packages. I keep trying to make them in the hopes I'll get it right, but it never tastes quite right."
Rob laughed. "Actually, I do know what an ANZAC is, just not that they had their biscuit. Now I feel kinda jealous." He was shifting again, wondering if going for a pee might stop the pinching. He had opted for the new pants, not really having much choice, and now they were pinching in strange places. "I'm really sorry about your uncle. That had to have been tough. It sounds like y'all are a really close family. And I didn't exactly show it that much fear until this shop girl was throwing all these weird looking clothes at me."
"Was she a girly-girl? They're the worst shop assistants. I always just glare at them, and they scuttle away." Leila watched him, glancing down with concern. The pants had definitely looked a little tight, but she hadn't really said anything. "You okay there, Littlerock? You kind of look like you're doing the pee dance, only it's more of a wriggle."
Rob immediately flushed at being sprung. "My pants are pinching," he admitted sheepishly. "Like pinching. I broke the zip on my other nice pants, panicked, and ran out into the city to try and get some replacements. I went into this guys clothing store and this girl told me these were the right ones. They cost a bomb and they're starting to nip in odd places. I feel like she's given me about three sizes too small."
Leila couldn't help it as she touched Rob's leg, feeling the material strain over his thigh. "I was wondering after our conversation about tight pants... They really leave nothing to the imagination. Not a bad thing, but the waitress we walked past earlier looked like she was drooling. If you can't wait, we can get the apple pie in a doggy bag, and get back to your place so you can change. I'm sorry this made you risk your manhood. I don't want you losing body parts on my account."
Rob shook his head. "No, it's okay. I'm pretty tough. If you can put up with my wriggling now and again," he added hastily. "I just bought them. I was in a hurry by then, and worried I wouldn't get back in time if I got lost. My other pants were just a lost cause/ I didn't bring all that much with me in general. If this is fashion, I'm more than happy being a dork. The store had these pictures of young models on the walls making the clothes look downright awesome, for sure, but I ain't no model," he laughed.
"Yeah, but they're still wearing clothes that fit," she pointed out. "It's okay, I can handle the wiggling. Just wanted to make sure you were okay. I'm getting pretty protective of your well-being." Leila couldn't help her gaze slipping down again though, checking out the bulge in his pants. She was half tempted to unzip him, and at least let that part hang out so she was sure it was safe. And maybe even in her hands. This time Leila gave a little wriggle. She wasn't meant to be thinking about sex right now.
Rob followed her line of sight and then cupped her cheek in his hand, tilting her face up to meet his eyes again. He wet his lips and exhaled slowly. "You keep doing that, I'm going to risk castrating myself," he warned with a laugh, holding her gaze as his hand remained touching her cheek. He couldn't help it. It wouldn't take much of her to arouse him at all, and it hadn't all night. He had been drawing a lot of self-control that was getting harder and harder to maintain.
Leila bit her cheek to stop herself from trying to look down again. "I don't want you to castrate yourself. I've grown pretty fond of that particular part of your body. Not that I don't find the rest of you hot. I promised Luke I would behave."
"I didn't know if we should head down that route on the first date anyway," Rob admitted, biting his lip through a smile. "Thoughts?"
Leila's skin started to warm as she held his gaze. "None that won't sound dirty," she revealed with a laugh. "I really don't know."
Rob exhaled slowly, taking his hand away to scratch his head. "I just feel like I could have been skipping all this sort of stuff in favour of just getting down and dirty, only I don't really want to fuck it all up. I thought doing the right thing was the key to that, but it's not all about, of course. I'm trying to bounce off you a lil here, no pun intended."
Leila leaned in for a kiss, unable to help herself. It was long, slow, and lingered as she tasted him. "I'm not here because I want sex. I'm here because I want to be with you. The fact that the sex is seriously fucking good is a bonus. I won't say no, but I don't want you to feel pressured, or like it's all I want you for. Because it's not."
Rob met her eyes as the kiss eased off and he smiled, drawing his lip in between his teeth for a moment. "We should just let the date do it's thing, and see how it goes at the end," he realised, knowing it was a bit of a process to work through his hang ups. But she got it. She wasn't snickering at him or rolling her eyes at his attempts to do the right thing like some girls would. Truth was, Rob valued tradition and he'd always been raised to respect women. "The thing is, a few years ago, I probably would have just skipped the date and moved straight onto sex. I'm just finding myself swept off my feet with you a little and I'm not sure where I should hang on or how tight," he laughed, shaking his head. "But you know what, I think we should just dance."
"Sure we don't risk chaffing the goods?" Leila asked, her eyes sparkling. She took his hand again, ready to tug him out onto the dance floor. "And hey, the sweeping's working both ways, you know. I'm okay with slow. This is just the beginning, right?"
"Hey, I lasted this long. No one can accuse me of not having any stamina," Rob said with a smirk as he rose out of his seat to follow her. He pulled her close to him, enjoying that the music was already on the slow side. "Here's hoping it is. I'm just hoping we have time."
Leila looped her arms around his neck and pressed her body close. Maybe they weren't going to do the sex thing, but she could still be as close to him as possible. "How about we forget about keeping track of time, and just enjoy each day as it comes. The day it doesn't come... We'll figure something out then."
Rob laughed softly, holding her gaze. "You know, that's exactly what my Mom said. I told her about you. She's a typical Mom, she worries, and may have become the slightest hint of homicidal towards my wife. Probably a good thing she ain't in Littlerock right now." He leaned in and kissed her softly. "Do you do this sort of thing often?"
"She sounds like a very smart woman. I like her already, besides the cooking thing," Leila said with a grin. She licked her lips after the kiss, her brow creased in a slight frown. "What sort of thing?"
Rob shrugged as he comfortably fell into a slow rhythm dancing to the slow song. "Dates like this, going out, just enjoying yourself, nice dinners, all that type of thing," he elaborated, looking around. "I really should do it more often. Burger joint and a beer doesn't quite have the same feeling, does it?"
"No, but burger joints and beers shouldn't be sniffed at either. To answer your question, I probably don't do it as often as I should." Leila rest her head against his, and closed her eyes. "And in a way I'm glad, because that just makes it more special."
Rob rubbed his hands slowly and affectionately over her hips. "You know what, I think we should have a picnic next time. Maybe go for a drive up north, well away from the city, stay overnight or something. If you want to," he suggested with a smile. "Am I going to kill you with the cheesy romance? I've just missed out on a lot that I'm realising I really want. Only, I don't want to do it alone."
"There's nothing sadder than a man alone on a picnic." Leila turned her head to nuzzle in against the crook of his neck. "I can't really say no, can I? You won't kill me with the cheesy romance. It's not so cheesy when you do it. Even if you make me say cheesy things."
"How about just lying in bed, no bells and whistles, just the remote control, a movie and maybe some microwave popcorn?" Rob asked, smirking at the thought. "Or hot dogs, or pizza. Maybe ice cream out of the tub with a spoon."
"All of the above, and I'm there," Leila told him with a smile as she lifted her head to kiss him. There was definitely a sense that she was falling for him. And she wasn't entirely sure she had any wish to stop herself.
Words: 3159 | All muses referred to with permission and come from the princeton2nyc verse