CHAPTER 20 – THE PARK

Mr Monlataing had called in sick that day, so the double art class at the end of the day was cancelled. Marinette was about to head off home to help at the bakery for the Friday rush when Félix came up to her and tapped her on the shoulder.

"Aiaiaiaidrien!" she jumped.

"Hi Marinette," said Félix, smiling shyly and brushing his hand through his hair. Marinette blushed profusely.

"I know it's short notice, but I don't have much time to myself and two hours is too good an opportunity to pass up. I was wondering if you would like to get ice-cream with me?"

The pink glow on Marinette's cheeks turned to a bright red. She hadn't expected Adrien to take her out so quickly.

"Ah ah ah …" Marinette's mouth opened and shut, but nothing coherent came out.

"You know, you're really cute when you blush Marinette? It's a beautiful day, the only thing I need to make it perfect is you."

"Ga-ga-ga-ga," stammered Marinette.

"She'ld love to," said Alya, coming to the rescue, hugging her friend.

"You've got this girl!" she whispered fiercely into Marinette's ear. "I expect a full report-back this evening."

Marinette nodded profusely and Félix laughed as he took her hand in his and started walking her towards the park.

-000-

Marinette had the perfect afternoon. The sun shone brightly, the grass was lush and green and a few birds sang in the park's trees. André Glacier's bell sounded in the distance and he smiled as she and Félix strolled up to him, hand-in-hand.

"An interesting combination. Cherry red for true love, mint and blueberries for the eyes of the soul," he said," handing them an ice cream with two waffle paddles sticking out. Félix smiled and scooped some of the ice cream onto his waffle and offered it to Marinette. She giggled and did the same for him. Then he leaned over and used his thumb to gentle scrape away some ice cream at the edge of her mouth. His touch was soft and gentle but left her skin tingling and hot.

As they sat on the park bench sharing the ice cream Félix had put his arm over her shoulder, pulling her tighter. The warmth of his arm flowed into her. She rested her head on his cheek. She could smell his cologne and underneath it the warm smell of Félix himself. She breathed it in deeply. "Adrien!" she thought happily to herself.

Then he had talked about the beauty of the park and the beauty of Paris itself, the city that she loved. A gentle breeze from the Seine caressed their cheeks. Marinette was only half listening though. The drone of his voice, the warmth of his body, the smell of him … she just enjoyed the moment. She could feel his body vibrating slightly as he spoke, and it thrilled her.

Félix was enjoying himself too. Marinette's complete trust of him was endearing. He looked down at her bluebell eyes and then to her soft, pink lips. He badly wanted to kiss her, to make her his, but he needed to be careful. Adrien was ever the gentleman.

He could feel the gentle tickle of her breath on his cheek. When he looked down at her she saw her looking up at him. She really was quite special. His cousin was a fool for not seeing her affection for him. He felt a pang of guilt when he thought of the pain that he was about to cause her, but in war there was always collateral damage.

He smiled. Another ice cream smear had appeared at the edge of her mouth. He gently tried to wipe it away, but the mark had dried.

"Do you mind if I …" he said, licking his finger and gently rubbing at the mark. Marinette giggled.

The stain was stubborn.

"It won't come out. There is only one thing for it, but I need your permission," he said.

"Whwhwhat's that?" she stammered.

"Why, a kiss of course. But only with your permission."

Marinette blushed, looked down and then nodded profusely. She suddenly felt the soft touch of his lips on the edge of her mouth. A bolt of electricity flashed through her body and she felt the hair on her head stand on end.

He moved his head away slightly. "It's still there. Let me try again." His breath smelt of mint ice cream.

Marinette felt his lips coming closer. At the last minute she turned her head and she felt the warmth of his lips on hers. She closed her eyes.

This kiss lingered. She felt his lips open slightly, then kiss her bottom lip. A flash of heat shot through her body and she didn't need to look at her arms to know they were covered in goosebumps.

Marinette kissed him back. The taste of the ice cream lingered on his lips. She could not believe how gentle he was with her, how soft his lips were, yet how warm.

Félix broke off the kiss. His emerald eyes looked into hers, boring into her soul.

"Marinette," he said. "I do believe I'm falling for you."

He bent forward and kissed her once again.

-000-

All too soon their time was up. As Félix got up to go he took both of Marinette's hands in his.

"When I'm with you Marinette, my soul feels refreshed. Like the dew glistening in dawn's fresh light, you fill me with peace. When I'm with you, I feel complete.

He lent forward and kissed her once more before getting up and walking to the waiting limo, waving at her as he did.

Marinette stared at the departing limo. Everything seemed brighter and better with Adrien around. She brought her hand up to her lips and gently caressed where he had been but a minute before. Then it hit her.

"I'm in love!" she thought excitedly.