Hey everyone! I'm sorry that I haven't updated in SO long but I've been really busy and had a little bit of writer's block… this chapter is a lot longer than the previous two… tell me what you think, read and review! Thanks a bunch!
Tony was the first to wake up. It took a moment for his brain to register his surroundings. His apartment didn't have blue walls. After realizing that he was still at her apartment, he looked down to find her still in his arms, right where she had fallen asleep. He looked at her sleeping form and his thoughts drifted to the previous night. Everything was so perfect; holding her in his arms, kissing her, having her kiss him back. His thoughts drifted back to her beauty and a smile spread across his face. He pulled Michelle's body closer to his own and held her. Tony felt her stir and then he spoke.
"Hey beautiful." He hoped he wasn't moving this too fast or expecting too much by calling her this, but it was what he felt.
"Hey to you too," Michelle replied. Her heart fluttered when she heard him call her beautiful. She had waited so long to hear him say that to her and now that she had that phrase resounding in her head, she couldn't have felt better. Tony smiled at her reaction. He loved how she reacted to his touch and his words. He bent his head down until his lips met hers. They spent the next ten minutes just staring into each other's eyes, with an occasional giggle escaping Michelle.
"What are you giggling at?" Tony asked suspiciously with that husky tone that Michelle loved.
"I think it's time you changed out of that," she replied, referring to the pink robe he was still wearing from the previous night.
"What do you say we both get dressed, head to my place so I can change my clothes, and then I take you out for breakfast?" he asked.
"Sure, that would be great," she replied with her irresistible smile.
Michelle exited the shower, wrapped a towel around her body and went to find Tony. When she spotted him, still donning the pink robe, she spoke, "I'm out, and you can use the shower while I get dressed."
"Okay," Tony said in a dazed response. He was mesmerized. He had never seen Michelle like this and now that he had, he was certain that no woman in the world was more beautiful than the one standing in front of him.
"You're beautiful," he whispered when he walked by her, keeping eye contact the entire time so she would know he was sincere.
"Thanks," came Michelle's small reply. She blushed and bent her head. Tony put his hand to her chin and lifted her head so they could lock eyes.
"You are beautiful," he said with such sincerity that she couldn't help but smile at.
"That's better," Tony said and sealed it with a kiss.
He went towards the bathroom to get his shower. Michelle stayed in the same spot, thinking about how lucky she was. Tony made her feel special, loved, and wanted. She walked into her bedroom and began getting ready.
When Tony exited the bathroom, wearing his now dry clothes from the previous night, he saw that Michelle's bedroom door was opened a little and he couldn't help but look in. Michelle was standing at her bureau, looking into the mirror, and fixing her hair. She was wearing a coral skirt with a white lace tank top. She had finished the ensemble with flip flops to match her skirt. Tony slowly started to creep into her room.
Michelle was putting her hair into a ponytail. Sure, she wore it like that most days to work, but she loved it that way. She loved the outfit that she was wearing. It was a drastic change from what she wore at work every day, but she liked having these two sides to her. She was checking her make-up for the final time; she wanted to look perfect for Tony, when she felt arms snake around her waste and spin her around. Before she could react, Michelle felt Tony press his lips against hers.
"You look so hot," Tony said after breaking the kiss.
"Thanks, you don't clean up too badly yourself," she replied. Michelle had so much more confidence now. It was amazing at how great this man could make her feel about herself. It wasn't that she had low self esteem, actually quite the opposite. She just never had a man in her life that made her feel the way Tony did.
"You ready to go?" Tony asked while grabbing her hand and leading her out towards her front door.
"Yeah, hold on a sec, let me grab my purse."
They left Michelle's apartment hand-in-hand and took Michelle's car back to Tony's. They held hands and shot each other flirty glances the entire way.
When they reached Tony's apartment, which wasn't too far from Michelle's, he gave her the grand tour. She was amazed at how similar their tastes were.
"Make yourself comfortable, I'll be back in a minute," Tony said as he went to change. When he came back out, Michelle's mouth dropped. He was wearing jeans and a black t-shirt that perfectly outlined his muscular frame. He grabbed his keys and then Michelle's hand.
"C'mon, let's go."
"Where are we going?" she asked.
"It's a surprise," he replied.
They got into Tony's car and he began driving. At a stoplight, he grabbed her hand and began tracing its outline with his thumb. Their eyes caught and they both smiled. The light turned green and Tony began driving again. When they reached their destination, Michelle's eyes grew wide and a huge smile appeared on her face. Tony got out of the car, opened Michelle's door, took her hand, and led her towards the awaiting beach and ocean.
As soon as she reached the beach, Michelle took off her flip flops, squished her toes in the sand, and giggled like a school girl. Tony laughed in return and took his shoes off as well.
"I love the beach! I haven't been here in so long!" she exclaimed, grabbing his hand and beginning to walk along the water.
"I'm glad you like it," Tony said, squeezing her hand.
They continued walking, just savoring every moment, when they passed and ice cream vendor. Tony bought them each a cone of vanilla. He grabbed Michelle's hand and pulled her down next to him on the sand. When he finished eating, Tony looked over at Michelle to see a little bit of ice cream stuck on her upper lip. He leaned over, kissed her gently, and licked the ice cream off of her lip.
"Mmm…" he said, "vanilla, my favorite."
"Well, it seems that you have some ice cream on your mouth, too," Michelle said with a cheeky grin on her face.
"Do I?" he questioned, returning her cheeky grin with one of his own.
They both leaned in at the same time and began to kiss. It started off gently but grew more passionate by the minute. Regaining an awareness of their surroundings, they stopped before they couldn't. Tony rose to his feet and helped Michelle up with a smile.
"Let's get going, I'll drop you off at your place and I'll pick you up in an hour. I'm taking you out to dinner."
"Sounds good," Michelle said.
They reached Tony's SUV and began driving back to Michelle's. As they pulled up to her apartment building, Tony gave Michelle a quick kiss and reaffirmed, "I'll see you in an hour."
"Yup, an hour," she said and then laughing in response to his you're a girl, don't take forever in the bathroom look, "I'll be ready."
They kissed once more and then Tony made sure Michelle got into the building before starting the car and leaving for his own apartment.
After getting out of the shower for the second time that day, Michelle stood in front of her closet trying to decide what to wear. She stood looking through her wardrobe for about ten minutes before finding what she was looking for. She pulled out a beautiful red dress held up by spaghetti straps. She had seen it when she was in New York with friends and even though she had no occasion in which to wear it at the time, had bought it anyway.
"Now's the perfect time to wear it," she thought.
Just as Michelle was putting the final touches on her hair and make-up, she heard a knock on her door.
"Coming!" she yelled, her heart beating faster knowing that it was Tony on the other side. She had never felt this way about a guy before and she was nervous and excited at the same time. She grabbed her purse and opened the door. She smiled when she saw Tony. "He looks so good," she thought.
"You look gorgeous Michelle," Tony told her. Tonight confirmed that she was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. He held out his arm and she took it. They spent the ride to the restaurant in a comfortable silence, each hoping that everything would go perfectly.
They reached the restaurant and Tony got out and quickly went to Michelle's side of the car. He opened the door and escorted her into the building. Upon arriving to their table, Tony pulled out Michelle's chair for her. "Maybe chivalry isn't dead," Michelle thought.
The dinner was great. The food was fabulous and they talked about everything. Work was still not a subject of discussion because the events were still too real in their minds. Michelle was laughing at a joke Tony had just told, when he said, "You're beautiful when you smile." Michelle blushed. She loved the way he always complimented her.
On their way home, Tony began thinking. The date was going spectacularly and he didn't want it to end. He got up enough courage and asked her, "Would you like to stay with me at my place tonight?" He held his breath whilst he waited for her answer. When Michelle heard the question, she was elated. She was having such a good time and she didn't want it to end. "I'd love to stay with you Tony." He let out the breath he had been holding and turned right, towards his apartment building.
When they arrived, he led her upstairs to his apartment. When they got in, he saw that his answering machine's red light was flashing, indicating that he had a message.
"Hold on a sec, I've got to check this," he said.
"No problem," Michelle answered.
Tony pressed the play button and through the speakers came Ryan Chappelle's voice. "Tony, this is Ryan Chappelle. You know that George Mason's memorial service is tomorrow. Because you are Director of CTU, I was hoping that you would say a few words about George. That will be all; I'll see you tomorrow and 10AM."
"Shit," Tony said in response to the message, "I would have no idea what to say."
"Don't worry Tony, you'll do fine," came Michelle's reply. Tony loved how she stroked his ego. "Do you want me to leave so you can get some work done?"
"No," Tony said, "I need inspiration, and you gorgeous, are my inspiration."
They walked into Tony's room and he got her some clothes to wear. As they both changed, Tony began thinking. "I don't want to write anything down; I want it to come right from the heart."
As Michelle exited Tony's bathroom, his breath caught. She looked so hot even in boxers and a Cubs t-shirt. They both smiled as he led her over to his bed. They were both a little sleep deprived, so they decided to go to bed early. Michelle sat apprehensively on the edge of the bed and Tony moved over from his side and pulled her into the bed with him. She yelped at his arms wrapping around her. Tony pulled the covers up over their bodies and he held her close.
"I love you." Tony said.
"I love you, too," said Michelle.
They shared one final kiss before drifting into a peaceful sleep, comfortably wrapped up in each other's arms.
There you have it. Chapter 3. Please review. It makes me happy! Chapter 4 will hopefully be up soon. Here's a little insight on it, George Mason's memorial service… Review please! Thank you!