A/N: As usual, I would recommend putting the video on loop.
Knees were touching her chest, and her arms were wrapped around her legs. Fabrics of the bed didn't cover her; they only were wrinkled beneath her form.
On constant replay, his words continued on and on in her head. She couldn't remove them, nor did she desire to. They were music to her ears; they were like a soft lullaby, yet they kept her from sleep. Her lips were curled up in a small, embarrassed smile. After my work next Wednesday, join me for dinner. I'll be at The Fox's Garden at six in the evening. I'll see you then.
He hadn't asked if she could make it or not; he simply had told her where he would be and that he expected her to be there. Normally, she would've turned down such an invitation. With him, though, she overlooked his command-like delivery. All she could do was smile and recall that kiss.
Edmund had stayed after to finish the primer on her bedroom, but they hadn't talked until he had invited her to dinner next week. She hadn't minded the silence. If anything, she had been appreciative of it. It had allowed her to get her thoughts in order, but now her only thoughts were about next week.
She brought her knees close to her chest and hugged them tightly. By that point, her sheets were kicked to the end of the bed. Underneath her, they were all wrinkled. Her thulian pink, cotton nightgown barely was covering her lower half since it had climbed up her form from all of her movement. The sleeves were messed up too and were falling down her shoulders.
Thankfully, Edmund wasn't there to witness her in such a state. Her cheeks warmed up at the thought, and she rolled onto her back. She stretched her legs out some and curled her toes in the sheets. All of her hair fanned out around her head. (F/n) glanced around the room bathed in the night's pale light.
A happy huff parted from her lips. She couldn't sleep. (F/n) threw her legs over the side of the bed and stood up before she checked the clock. 2:00 am. A late night snack wouldn't hurt her, and she could watch some television and even fall asleep on the couch. That sounded relaxing for her mind, which was going through various scenarios of how the dinner could transpire.
Her hands came up to her cheeks and rubbed them a bit. All of those situations ended in another fiery, yet soothing kiss. The touch of his lips simply was too much. She still could feel the presence of them on hers. Back then, she had loved her ex, but they never had shared a kiss like that. It was such a cliché thing to think, but she couldn't help it.
That kiss made her lips desperately ache for another. Her lips felt like pudding waiting to be solidified and enjoyed by another. Touching her lips with her fingertips, she paused before she flicked on the kitchen light. Slowly, she dragged them down before her hands fell to her sides. She hung her head some and sighed. If she didn't distract herself soon, she probably would find herself calling him, and he most likely didn't want to be contacted at such a time.
Switching the light on, she adjusted her nightgown a bit before she opened the fridge. Nothing of interest caught her eye. She turned to her cupboards that held boxed snacks, canned goods and peanut butter. (F/n) didn't grab anything immediately since her attention shifted to her kitchen window. Across the street, there was another apartment complex. The apartment directly across from hers had lights on inside.
At least, she wasn't the only one in the vicinity still up. She wondered if Edmund was up ... "No, stop," she mumbled to herself and rubbed the bridge of her nose. (F/n) forced herself to stare at her food selection. Chocolate teddy grams and peanut butter. Never had she tried that combination, but it was chocolate and peanut butter. It had to be good unless the teddy grams were old and stale.
Checking the box's expiration date, she grinned. Another two months before it expired. Great. She retrieved the peanut butter and a butter knife from one of her drawers. (F/n) scooped a decent amount into a small bowl before she put the peanut butter back. With the bowl and box in hand, she maneuvered her way around the new furniture placements and seated herself on her couch.
After she flipped the television on, she dipped one of the teddies into the peanut butter before she tossed it into her mouth. To her delight, it was satisfyingly delicious. When she tuned into the program on the screen, however, she frowned. A romance movie. That definitely wasn't what she needed at the moment. Oh, the convenience of the world.
Setting down her treats, she switched from channel to channel. Every single one had something to do with romance. She was certain that it wasn't Valentine's Day. A sigh left her lips, and she considered purchasing cable for the future. For the moment, it was time for a movie. Her eyes switched to the two small stacks of films.
Among the stack, there was a dvd on rain forests. She couldn't remember why she had bought it since she normally didn't watch documentaries on nature, but it was there, so she slid it into the television and nestled back down on the couch.
While she relaxed on her sofa, Edmund exited his bathroom. He pushed back his wet bangs and headed down the hall to his bedroom but stopped midway. His eyes stared out his hallway window and across the street to (f/n)'s apartment. Her kitchen light was on. It hadn't been on when he had gone to take his shower. A smirk tugged at his lips.
He stepped forward a bit more and leaned against the window seal. Luckily, she wasn't standing in front of either of her windows. Otherwise, she would be able to note him standing there. She wouldn't know that it was him, but she would be able to make out that someone was there.
Crossing his arms, he continued to smirk. He wondered if the thought of their date next week was keeping her up. Then again, he really didn't have to ponder on the topic. Most certainly, that was the reason why she was up still. It was causing his mind to be more energetic than it usually was at such a late hour.
Even after his shower, he could remember every detail of their intimate exchange. Her fingers snaking their way through his locks and pulling him down towards her was alive in his mind's eyes, and her lips were of a silky smooth texture. It had been like kissing real rose petals: velvety and rich.
Reluctantly, he pushed himself off of the seal. His towel was beginning to slip, and even if no one was looking at him, he didn't wish to be on full display to the outside world. He entered his bedroom, and his toes curled into the plush beige carpet as he walked across it.
Since his bedroom window was across from the wall of another apartment building, he didn't have to worry about anyone catching sight of his exposed form. He permitted the towel to slide down from his hips and to the floor in a pool of fabric. Edmund stepped over it while droplets of water dripped down his figure.
Retrieving a pair of green pajama pants, which matched his eyes, he slipped them on and tied the drawstring at the top. He would put on boxers in the morning before he headed out. At night, alone and asleep, he could care less about such an item of clothing.
Ringing caught his attention. He shifted his orbs over to the phone on the bed. Was she calling? Chuckling, he moved over to the device and checked the caller. A frown painted his lips. Edmund didn't recognize the number, and he slid his thumb across the red mark on his phone. Even if he did receive worthless calls in the middle of the night, it was worth it since there always was the possibility that (f/n) would contact him. She could have an emergency and need him, so he refused to turn his phone off.
Tossing his phone back onto the bed, he snatched up his binoculars from his nightstand top and headed back into the hallway. He brushed back his bangs again, but a few curls refused to be restrained. At least, (f/n) liked them like that.
Again, he was back at the window seal. That time, though, the hallway light was off. He moved his improved gaze to her living room window. She must've been watching television since he couldn't spot her in the room, nor was she in the kitchen when he double-checked. Either that or she had gone to her room or bathroom for a short bit.
How he wished to be over there or for her to be with him, but he had to be patient. It wouldn't be too long before their date. Soon enough, they would be at The Fox's Garden enjoying a pleasant dinner, and she would be no doubt dolled up for him. He wondered if she would purchase a new dress or wear one that she had hidden away in her closet for a special occasion that hadn't happened yet.
There was the option that he could buy her one, but he preferred the surprise. Of course, he would learn of her attire before dinner. He did finish work at four, so he could return home and discover what she was wearing to the dinner so that he could match her. A strange coincidence for her but it was a necessity for him.
Instantly, he broke from his thoughts. (F/n) stood up and was headed for her kitchen. He diverted his eyes to her kitchen window. She was grabbing a napkin from the napkin holder, but he could care less about that. No, he was focusing on how her nightgown fit her. Goodness, she was beautiful.