Chapter 142: Until I Found You
Alaric
"I’ll take care of the plates," Nico said the second we finished eating, stacking them up and flashing me a playful wink.
I just chuckled, leaning back in my chair to watch him walk toward the kitchen sink.
Everything felt completely surreal. It felt like everything was moving so fast, and despite how long I had known Nico, a wave of genuine shyness washed over me.
This wasn’t the first time he had cooked for me, nor was it the first time we were sharing a quiet, intimate night together, but this exact moment? I loved every single second of it. I couldn’t believe this was actually my reality—that the man currently washing dishes in a fitted black shirt was my boyfriend.
The sheer intensity of the realization made a warm, heavy wave roll through my skin, and without even realizing it, my pheromones began to bleed softly into the cool air of the apartment.
I didn’t even notice until the rich, undeniable scent of cedarwood hit my own nose.
Can he smell it?
My throat went dry, and I visibly gulped, quickly snapping my gaze away from the kitchen.
I pretended to be deeply fascinated by the crystal chandelier hanging above the dining table, taking a quiet, shaky breath as I pressed a palm over my pounding chest, waiting for the scent to settle.
But when I glanced back, Nico was already turning around, a broad, knowing grin spreading across his face as his eyes locked onto mine. He definitely smelled it.
I looked away again, my heart racing crazily against my ribs, my fingers trembling slightly from sheer excitement. I was completely overwhelmed just by the sight of him.
Was this really what it felt like to be in love?
I was in love. Truly, hopelessly in love with Nico—the same man who had driven me absolutely insane from the very first moment we met, the man who had made me question my own sanity so many times, until I finally realized I had fallen completely for the person I thought was just my rival.
Unable to keep the overwhelming emotion contained inside my chest for another second, I stood up from the table. I walked softly across the wooden floor, stopping right behind him just as he finished rinsing the last glass.
I reached out, wrapping my arms firmly around his waist and pulling my chest flush against his back, burying my face into the crook of his neck.
"I think you’ve officially ruined me," I murmured softly against his skin, letting out a breathy, nervous chuckle. I squeezed him a little tighter before adding, "I’m sorry... this is crazy that I’m acting like this. I feel like a teenager."
Nico turned off the faucet, grabbed a hand towel, and thoroughly wiped his hands clean. He chuckled softly, turning around within the circle of my arms so he was facing me directly. He reached up, gently cupping both sides of my face with his warm palms, his thumbs brushing over my cheekbones.
"It’s completely alright to feel that way," he murmured, his dark eyes glowing with pure affection. "It’s not like you did something wrong or hurt anyone. Falling in love with you... it’s the easiest thing I’ve ever done in my life."
Before I could even process the sweetness of his words, Nico leaned up and pressed a warm, linger kiss against my forehead. He slid his lips down to press another soft kiss against my cheek, trailing down to the corner of my jaw, before finally capturing my mouth with his.
The kiss started slow, tender and deep, but the moment my lips parted against his, the gentle tension snapped.
Nico tilted my head, his grip on my face tightening as the kiss turned fiercely passionate. He pulled me closer, sucking softly on my bottom lip before catching it between his teeth with a gentle bite that sent a jolt straight down my spine.
I let out a soft groan into his mouth, my hands gripping his waist as he deepened the kiss, his tongue sliding against mine in a hot, breathless rhythm that left me completely lightheaded.
When he finally pulled away, we were both gasping for air, our lips swollen and wet in the dim light.
Nico pressed one more sweet kiss to my forehead, smiling against my skin.
"Alexa, play ’Until I Found You’," Nico called out softly, stepping back and holding his hand out toward me. "Dance with me."
I blinked at his extended hand, letting out a laugh. "What the hell are you doing, Nico?"
"We’re dancing, princess. Keep up," he chuckled, grabbing my hand and pulling me into the center of the living room just as the smooth retro melody began to fill the space.
He pulled me close, resting one hand firmly on my waist while keeping our fingers laced together. We began to sway to the rhythm, our foreheads resting together as soft laughter bubbled up between us.
Snap.
"Ow!" Nico let out a dramatic gasp as I accidentally brought my heel down directly on his foot.
I burst into a full laugh, shaking my head. "I told you, I’m a terrible dancer!"
"It’s okay, I’ll carry us," Nico teased, his eyes sparkling with mischief.
Before I could reply, he raised our joined hands and twirled me around gracefully, catching me by the waist the second I spun back into his chest.
"Look at you," Nico smiled, staring down at me as we continued to sway to the music. "Making me feel like a true prince out here."
"You’re ridiculous," I chuckled, shaking my head, but the smile on my face wouldn’t fade.
Nico’s expression softened, a sudden, deeper look entering his eyes as he looked at me. "I really wish we could just go public right now. I want everyone to know you’re mine. There are so many interesting places I want to take you to, Alaric... places where no one would judge us, where we don’t have to look over our shoulders."
I let out a soft, realistic chuckle, resting my chin lightly on his shoulder as we moved. "You know that’s impossible right now, Nico. All we can do for now is hide from the lenses."
"For now," Nico agreed softly, his hand gently pressing into the small of my back. "When the right time comes, we will surely be out there together. I promise you."
As he spoke, the song softly faded out, transitioning smoothly into the opening piano chords of "A Thousand Years" by Christina Perri.
Nico chuckled softly against my ear, pulling back just enough to look at me. "Oh, come on. Alexa really knows what she’s doing tonight. This song was literally made for us."
"Don’t get cheesy on me now," I teased, though my chest felt heavy with warmth.
Nico didn’t answer with words. He just pulled me close again, kissing me softly right in the middle of the living room, stepping gently to the slow, sweeping rhythm of the music. He kissed my lips, my jaw, and the side of my neck, his voice dropping into a fierce, breathless whisper against my skin as the chorus peaked.
"I love you, Alaric," he murmured, his hands holding me tight against his heart. "Then, now, and forever."