Holy. Fuck. She was beautiful.
The girl was wearing a mask but even that couldn't hide the simple fact that she was absolutely beautiful. Elio's breath hitched when he looked at her, staring into those dark brown eyes that looked like they had stars within them. Little specks of grey floated around, gazing at him with timidness and confusion. Did she like what she saw as much as he did? Elio had never been one to be self-conscious but fuck, he'd never met anyone so utterly breathtaking either.
Elio wanted nothing more than to wrap his hands around that head of brown curls. Actually, that was a lie. Elio really wanted nothing more than to take her by the waist and kiss those full, parted lips until he was dizzy and gasping for air. Bloody hell, he didn't even want to fuck her. He wanted to grovel on his knees until she found him worthy of her—which he never would be but he didn't give a fuck about that. Please, he would say. Let me love you. Let me be yours. Merlin. He had it bad already.
You say your heart is 'un-snarable' but you just haven't found the woman worthy of having it... One day, Elio, you are going to find a woman who takes your breath away... You will find someone who will make you feel like you are on top of the world, a woman who has hung the stars for you, who brings out a better man inside of you.
Oh, Elio Nott was eating his words. To be fair, he hadn't expected to heed any of their warnings because he hadn't expected to find a woman. Up until now, no woman was this divine. Elio was quite certain he had just asked an angel to dance with him. Women didn't look like this. They weren't heavenly, ethereal beings with faces carved by the gods but that was the only way to describe his mystery girl. Heavenly. Ethereal. Divine. Beautiful.
"H-hi," Elio stuttered breathlessly, still mesmerized by her eyes. How could irises possibly look like seas of nights with glittering stars inside of them? He spent his whole life thinking eyes were just boring little balls inside someone's head when he could have been staring at these. Elio was so distracted by her celestial irises that he hadn't even noticed that he stuttered, something he never did because he was always the most confident man in the room.
"Hi," she said softly back. Could it be possible that her voice was even more beautiful than her eyes? It was like a melody drifting on a quiet breeze, faintly combing through the flowerbeds and grasses until it reached his unworthy ears. He could hardly hear her over the loud music and chatter of the room—she was very quiet and soft, which he absolutely adored. It made him treasure the sound even more.
Elio cleared his throat. Confident. You're confident. You're Elio fucking Nott. "Um, thank you for dancing with me."
She studied him, never smiling, never giving him any indication of what she was thinking. "Why?"
"Why am I thanking you or why am I dancing with you?"
"Dancing."
Elio's cheeks reddened. How was he supposed to explain to his literal dream girl that he was avoiding a blonde he fucked yesterday? Fuck, he couldn't ruin things this early. Why had he ever gotten with a woman before? Stupid bloody idiot. "Well, it was because I was avoiding a girl who didn't seem to take 'no' as an answer."
It wasn't a lie. It just wasn't the full truth either. Elio had never cared about others' opinions but he had also never seen a girl like this. Every part of her called to him. The large lips that he just wanted to ravish. The stunning eyes he could get lost in. The high cheekbones that were hidden behind a mask. The brown hair he wanted to grab. The small waist that was just the size of his hands. Her pale skin just waiting to be covered with his kisses. And Elio was a guy. He would be lying if he didn't say that her breasts were practically calling out to him from behind the white fabric. Perfect and round, a little bit small but still bloody perfect. Everything about her was perfect.
She bit her lip—and fuck it made him want to kiss her so badly—before asking, "And now?"
He considered his words, taking great care not to lie to her. Don't fuck things up this quickly. "Now it's because I'm so mesmerized by you that I can't imagine not dancing with you."
The girl's eyes widened behind her mask. He wished that he could rip it off so he could see all of her face, wished that he could carry her out of the room and not let go of her for the rest of his life. Fuck marriage. He wanted more with this girl. He wanted a ring on her hand and his cock buried in her. He wanted to feel their souls connecting, wanted to know every inch of her on the inside and out. He wanted to be the one she came to for comfort, the one she looked at when she smiled. He wanted way more than just a simple courtship. Can one girl really do this to me? Change me this quickly? Can a spark really be this powerful?
But as soon as Elio offered up his large hand and she placed her smaller one in it, Elio knew that this spark—their spark—could.
Her hand felt so perfect nestled inside his so Elio seized the moment and brought her body even closer. He noticed with a sense of delight just how perfectly she fit against his body, how warm and right she was. He placed a hand on her lower back and began to move to the music, waltzing around the room with the girl in his arms.
She turned around to look at the room as he led him through the turns. Elio used her distraction to sneak in a little closer, noticing with delight that she smelled delicious, like warmth and vanilla. She smelled like home. Visions of him walking through the door and seeing her waiting for him with a large smile on her face before he kissed her senselessly appeared in his head.
While she was still turned—clearly looking for someone—Elio stole a glance at his mother to find her staring at the two of them open-mouthed. Elio just winked at her. "I'm dancing," he mouthed with a grin.
His mother looked dumbfounded. His father was just smirking.
"You dance beautifully," Elio finally remarked, bringing her attention back to him.
"Really?"
She seemed surprised, which, in turn, surprised him. Her cheeks were tinged with a faint pink blush, though her expression still remained stoic. "Yes," he chuckled. "How do you not know that you're a wonderful dancer?"
"I've never danced before."
Okay, now he was shocked. "You've never danced before? How is that possible?"
"I've never been asked."
Elio furrowed his brows. What idiot wouldn't see her and want to be with her? Half of her face was covered by a mask and he was ready to fucking propose. "I'm glad that I had the sense to ask."
"I don't think pushing a girl to the center of the dance floor counts as asking." His pride was wounded at first until he looked over and saw the way her lips were upturned ever so slightly. It was the closest he got to making her smile and it made him feel on top of the world. I did that, some primal part of him puffed with pride. I made her happy. Elio felt himself stand a little straighter.
"Well then, my love, will you do me the honor of dancing with me before everyone else in the room realizes what idiots they were before?"
"We're dancing now," she said pointedly. "And I don't think I'll have a rush of suitors to fill my dance card anyway."
Elio glanced around the room to see almost every available man eyeing her with lust. She's mine, he wanted to scream, using a hand on her lower back to pull her closer. It wasn't proper waltz form but he couldn't give a fuck about that. "I'm not so sure about that, topolina. But you are right, we are already dancing. How about the next one, then?"
She looked around the room and immediately tensed upon seeing how many eyes were on her. Elio instinctively brought her closer protectively, though that didn't seem to help based on the way she bit her lip with widened irises. "We could dance outside. Just you and me. It would be quite lovely to be alone under the stars."
"No," she said immediately before looking down nervously. "S-sorry... I-I just..."
"Shh, love," he said in what he hoped was a comforting voice. "If you're not ready to be alone with me, I understand." Well, he didn't quite understand what would be so wrong with being alone together but she seemed uncomfortable and that was the last thing he wanted, even if he didn't quite get why she was.
"It's not that, it's just..." She looked up at him with fear in her eyes—her lip trembling slightly—and Elio realized at that moment how very willing he was to commit murder if it meant that she was never scared again. "What if something happens? When we're away from the others, I mean."
He frowned. She's not just uncomfortable; she's frightened. And just like that, Elio's confusion turned to fierce protectiveness, which was crazy because he didn't even know her and yet he was certain he would do anything for her. "I would protect you, Little Mouse. I promise I would rather die than let anything happen to you... though I don't think anything would at a ball. The biggest threat here is Astoria Malfoy's matchmaking."
"You never know," she whispered. Is she always this afraid? Who frightened her? Yup, he was definitely willing to commit murder.
Elio looked into her eyes, tucking a stray brown curl behind her ear. Merlin, she was so beautiful. "Love, it's alright. We can stay here."
She furrowed her eyebrows. "We?"
He smirked. "If you think I'm leaving your side now that I've found you, you are sorely mistaken."
"B-but I'm a stranger."
"Oh, but we aren't strangers. We've met before."
"We have."
"Mm-hm." Elio leaned in closer until his lips were just barely brushing the soft skin of her ear. The delicious aroma of soft vanilla wafted into his nose. It was intoxicating. "In a dream."
"A... a dream?" He felt small shivers rack through her body. That small movement? That full body reaction to his whispers? Yeah, it made him take everything back about not wanting to fuck her. He did want to fuck her. He really, really, really wanted to fuck her, to watch her pretty face open in pleasure as he took her to heights no one had ever been to before, as he showed her what it would be like to be worshipped by someone that wholly didn't deserve her. He could already imagine the way her body would writhe under him while he satisfied her for hours, every ounce of his body devoted to her pleasure. As a lover, Elio had always been a receiver, not a giver. But, bloody hell, he would give her everything. He would make her feel things she didn't think possible until she was screaming his name and he was claiming her as his own. But Elio didn't only want to fuck her. He wanted to do many, many other things too.
Yup, he was officially enamored with this girl.
Elio grinned. "Yeah. You're the girl always in them."
She pulled back a little and frowned. "Does that line work on every woman?"
"I wouldn't know. I haven't used it on anyone else." It was true. Elio had never needed to resort to pick-up lines before. His looks got him pretty far. Women usually came to him, not the other way around.
"I find that hard to believe," she said softly, tilting her head up and avoiding his eyes.
"And that's because..."
She gave him a pointed look, eying him up and down yet not in a judgmental way. "That girl was looking at you as if you have history, just as many others in the room have. You seem like the type who has enjoyed many women."
"You are smart, mia topolina, but it is true. I have never used a pick-up line on any of them, especially not that one. You are the one I dream of. Not them."
She looked down at the ground. "Well, aren't I special?"
"You are," Elio said earnestly and her eyes snapped up to his with shock. The stars in the night were swirling as she gazed at him. "To me, you are special. To me, you are everything."
"You hardly know me. If you did, you would not be saying that."
He shrugged. "I know enough and what I do know, I adore."
"You don't even know my name."
"You'll tell me it eventually. For now, my other names for you will have to do." Elio frowned as the song started to wind down. "But you are right once again, my love. I don't know you nearly well enough."
She looked at him incredulously, the little sparkles in her gown glistening in the light. "You are agreeing with me?"
He grinned. "My father always says that a smart man always agrees with his wife."
"I am not your wife." Her cheeks turned an adorably rosy shade that he wanted to kiss all over.
"Oh but, mia topolina, you will be."
And with that, Elio put his hand on her back and quickly ushered her off the dance floor and out the large doors at the edge of the room. He led them out to the gardens he knew so well, down to the rose garden where he and Scorpius used to play hide-and-seek. Aunt Astoria used to be livid when they did, insisting that her romantic garden was not a place for muddy little boys. Elio sent a mental thanks to Astoria for teaching him inadvertently that this was a romantic place or he would have had no idea where to bring his girl.
But now, as his hand on her back guided them through many white-flowered bushes until they reached the area by the reflecting pool, Elio realized it was perfect. Candles floated all around them, illuminating not only the many flowers but also the natural beauty of the girl he couldn't bring himself to let go of. Her dress glittered in the pale moonlight, as did the tiara, necklace, and mask she wore. His Little Mouse's hair shone in the dim light and her lips looked utterly kissable as the gloss reflected the candlelight.
"You look even more beautiful out here," Elio murmured, unable to take his eyes off her. She looked around the area with a little bit of wonder and a lot of apprehension. He could practically feel the waves of fear radiate from her body.
"Hey," he said, grabbing her hand gently and giving it a comforting squeeze. "I promised, remember? Nothing will happen to you as long as you're with me."
She looked up at him with wide, trusting eyes before nodding. "Okay," she whispered. "Because you promised."
He lightly kissed the back of her hand. "Thank you, my love. For trusting me." Then, his voice raised as he gestured around to the garden, walking around it with a smirk. "Plus, now there are no wandering eyes, no listening ears. You needn't worry about the crowd." Because he had definitely noticed how tense she was in that ballroom. What kind of man would he be if he allowed his girl to remain that uncomfortable?
Fuck, he was whipped and he didn't even know her damn name.
She closed her eyes and took a few deep breaths. The look on her face was pained, her features all scrunched up in a wince. Elio wished that he could walk over to her and smooth every line, wipe away every frown with his fingers.
"I'm not good with people," she whispered so softly he wasn't even sure he heard her correctly.
"What?"
"I do not possess the talents of conversing with others. I do not even possess the talent of standing with others." Her cheeks heated as she ducked her chin.
Elio quickly strode over to her, grabbing her chin with his two fingers and tilting it up to meet his eyes. Insecurity shone as brightly as the stars within. Why? She's entirely wonderful.
"You say that and yet you danced with me."
"That was different," the girl mumbled. "I wasn't expecting to do that."
"And yet," Elio whispered, his breath gliding over her face until she looked up at him with her entrancing eyes, the ones that matched the night sky surrounding them. "You danced with me, Little Mouse. I'd say that is a great leap from standing."
Her blush deepened. "Not well."
Elio scoffed. "Not well? That was the best dance I've ever had. Bloody hell, I was ready to leave this blasted ball until I danced with you. I didn't even pack a bag for nights two and three because I was prepared to have one dance and leave before the majority of the weekend even took place. Now, they'd have to drag me away kicking and screaming."
The corners of her mouth turned upward. "I doubt that a dance did that."
"No. A dance didn't do that." He grinned. "A dance with you did."
Her eyes looked up at him and smiled, though her expression still remained stoic. The charm is working. "Do you say this to every girl?"
"Only the ones I am hopelessly devoted to."
"So... all of them?"
He smirked. "Just the one." Elio cupped her cheek and stroked it with his thumb. "Has anyone ever told you how beautiful you are?"
"You have," she replied with upturned lips. Elio's mind was churning with ways he could make her fully smile. Would a diamond ring do it? Because fuck, he was ready to buy one.
Scorpius would definitely be giving you shit if he was here. But he couldn't care less. Why would he care about anything but her?
"I haven't said it nearly enough, pretty girl," he breathed. "You are beautiful."
She blushed. "Thank you. You... you look nice too."
Elio grinned. "My mother will be so glad to hear that forcing me into formal wear was worth all of the hassle."
She eyed him up and down and he couldn't help but stand a little straighter, knowing that his body was pleasing to the girl of his dreams. "It was worth it," she said softly.
Elio had been told many things. From the moment he was born, he was always known as a "pretty baby" or a "beautiful boy". The compliments only increased as he got older. "He'll be a heartbreaker someday!" or "Ariana, you need to get him into modeling. I've never seen such a good-looking child." And when he was older, that turned into, "Please tell me you're single. I like need you," and "You are seriously the hottest boy I have ever seen."
But all of those paled in comparison to the little look she gave him before turning an adorable shade of pink.
"What are we doing out here?" she whispered.
He wasn't sure, to be quite honest. Normally, Elio's plans with women consisted of him semi-flirting with them until they brought them to their beds. But with her—with his mystery girl—he didn't want that. He didn't want this night to be over and he certainly didn't want to leave her, not when he had only just found this girl that stole every piece of his heart from the moment they locked eyes.
So Elio held out his hand and whispered back, "Dance with me, topolina."
I'm just telling you now: my man Elio is FERAL for this girl and honestly, I'm here for it. Let's be honest: we all love a worshipping guy. Hope you're enjoying so far :)