Unexpected

• Chapter Forty-One •

"I am a better person when I have less on my plate." ~Elizabeth Gilbert

                               • • •

Abel and I exit the aquarium, but instead of us completely leaving the building like I expected, Abel drags me towards where we entered and leads us to the elevator opposite the main desk.

"Why are we going into the elevator? I thought we were going to eat." I state to him.

"We are." Abel responds vaguely.

The doors shut behind us and Abel presses the button that takes us to the top floor.

"There better be food up here otherwise I'll be eating you." I grumble to him.

Abel leans down to place his mouth next to my ear allowing his lips to brush them as he speaks, "Baby, you can take a bite out of me any time you want." He whispers huskily.

A shiver racks through my body involuntarily as my breathes start to deepen slightly. Immediately, I feel myself become more aware of him; his intoxicating scent of sandalwood and cinnamon wafts up my nose as the feeling of his heat seeps through my clothes and onto my skin.

"You're such a pervert." I whisper breathlessly.

"Only for you." He cups my chin with his hand and tilts my head upwards to look at his; just as he starts to lean in for a kiss, the doors open. I'm both disappointed and relieved; disappointed because Abel's lips are amazing and it's an absolute gift to kiss them but relived because of how consumed I am by him- I always forget where I am when I'm with him and I feel like it's too soon to feel that way.

Not wanting to bring the mood down, I brush away those thoughts and follow Abel out the doors.

Taking a look at my surroundings, I realise that Abel has brought me to the aquarium's own restaurant.  On the far sides are the same glass that lines the wall on the ground floor with similar types of animals behind them. The ceilings hold big chandeliers that seem to reflect the light in all different directions creating a luminous glow throughout the room. The floors are covered in grey tiles to match the walls not occupied by the marine animals. But what captures my interest the most, is that one whole side of the room has large glass windows that stretch from bottom to top exposing the outside area. Even from where I am, I can see that it overlooks one of the many forest areas that occupy this town; but this place seems to have turned it into something more magical by adding fairy lights all around the trees highlighting how beautiful nature truly is.

"Wow." I say to Abel.

Instead of replying, he guides me towards the stand where a woman is waiting.

"Name?" She asks.

"Dellasandro." Abel replies simply.

"Right this way please."

We follow her to the back end of the room where it seems to be more private. Like the gentleman he is, Abel pulls out my chair for me allowing me to sit down before taking a seat at his own.

"Someone will be with you soon." The woman walks away from us.

Both Abel and I take off our coats before speaking, "Abel this is amazing, I've never seen a place like it. How did you find it?" I question.

"I did some research and came across this place; I remembered how you said you've never been to an aquarium and thought it would be nice at this time of year."

I reach for his hands across the table and hold them in mine, "You remembered that?" I ask feeling awed and elated that he paid such close attention.