His lips were warm and tasted like ale. The kiss was brief and light.
And not reciprocated.
Amelia pulled away, her eyes fixed on Darios face trying to gauge his reaction. Because he had his back turned to the light she couldn't see it.
The joy she had felt only seconds ago quickly turned into panic. She scrambled her brain, trying to find the words to apologize for her vulgar action.
"I- I am..."
She averted her eyes and focused her attention to her fidgeting hands in an attempt to gather herself. She could feel her cheeks burning from the shame.
"I am so..."
Amelia couldn't get the rest of her words out. Suddenly she was pulled closer to Dario by her waist. Before she could even realise what had happened she was once more enthralled by the taste of his lips.
It was curious and light at first. His hands gently found their way up her back and hers around his neck. It was comfortable, familiar and it felt as if time was standing still.
The kiss quickly became unlike any other that Amelia had ever experienced though. Darios embrace became impatient and his lips hungry. As he pressed himself closer to her his hands restlessly explored her neck, her jaw, before finding their way to her hair.
Amelia fully wrapped her arms around his neck, trying to pull herself closer to him yet still feeling like it wasn't enough.
She hadn't noticed when he'd opened the door behind her nor had she paid any attention to how they had ended up in her room. Suddenly she merely found herself on the bed, Dario holding himself up over her.
Her breaths were rugged as he kissed her neck, then the parts of her skin that he could reach through the unbuttoned parts of her dress.
Every touch if his lips made her shudder and his palm that traveled up her leg left her skin tingling.
But when his touch traveled up to the inside of her thigh she froze. Only for a second. But Dario had noticed. Without a word he removed his hand and carefully pulled down her skirt so that it covered her legs.
"Sorry, I was too impatient" he then said and gently kissed her forehead.
Amelia feared that he would leave. Instead he flumped down on the bed right next to her with his arm extended for her to lay on.
"You are not leaving" she asked hesitantly.
"Do you want me to leave" Dario wondered, and Amelia shook her head.
She couldn't hide the relief she felt as Dario moved closer the moment she rested her head on his arm. He kissed her lips again, but only shortly.
"Is this alright" he asked her and Amelia nodded.
"Yes, it is alright."
They stayed like that for a while. His hand gently touched her hair while he kissed her and when they did not kiss his eyes never strayed from hers. The urge that Amelia had felt for him was slowly replaced by a warm tingling in her chest.
"Amelia..." Dario said suddenly, but seemed to hesitate.
"Nevermind" he added after a moment of silence. Although it was difficult to tell in the dark she could have sworn that he looked sad.
***
She awoke the next morning to sunlight that beamed directly into her eyes. Amelia squinted, annoyed by the brightness that seemed to make her pounding headache even worse.
She scanned the room while rubbing her temples. It was a mess. Her clothes from yesterday were carelessly strewn across the floor and one of the curtains were draped over a misplaced shoe, leaving a large gap between the fabrics that allowed streams of maddening light to fill the room.
Amelia sighed and covered her eyes with her hand, hoping this would ease the throbbing pain. In tired confusion she tried to recall the events of yesterday.
Only then did she remember that Dario had never left. They had fallen asleep together after he had helped her get out of her dress.
She was suddenly aware of the slant of the matress next to her.
Amelia looked down at her chest and was relieved to see that she was still wearing her underdress, although she couldn't help but notice the knotted mess that was her hair. She made a sorry attempt to smooth it out with her hands but resigned to simply tuck it behind her ears when she realized that her efforts were fruitless.
Her apperance was undoubtedly a mess but Amelia tried her best not to picture it, afraid that her vanity would tarnish what would otherwise be a wonderful morning. Because even though he hadn't said so last night she had felt it, that Dario cared for her as she did for him. For what reason she didn't know nor could she bring herself to care right now.
She turned to her side and met with the image of him, sleeping soundly next to her and drawing heavy, relaxed breaths. This was the first time that she had ever seen him sleeping and she couldn't help but to stare, a pleasant warmth fluttering in her belly. He seemed to have more color to his face and the skin under his eyes looked brighter than it usually did. This along with his messy bedhair made him appear yonger, more boyish. It was an image that was in stark contrast to the large white scar that cut across his face over his eyebrow.
Amelia frowned and gently stroked it with her fingertips, imagining how much it must've hurt.
"Is it a habit of yours to touch people's faces when they sleep?"
She nearly jumped when Dario suddenly opened his eyes.
"Or am I special" he followed with a teasing grin.
"No, no, I do this to everyone" she answered cooly, successfully hiding her embarassment.
Dario laughed and as he pulled her towards him with a playful tug Amelia shrieked in surprise. She didn't resist his invitation but instead moved closer to him as she layed back down.
"You should rest some more, it's still early."
Amelia knew that he was lying by the light from outside but she didn't question him. As she inhaled his scent she hoped that the time would not pass.