Narcissus

Damn.

That was the first word that popped into her head.

Dah-yum. With subcurrents of “hubba hubba.”

The pic hadn't done him justice. Gorgeous was too tame a word. His skin was bronzed and smooth. The angles of his face were to die for. His shallow green eyes sparkled. Literally sparkled. His clothes were chic but casual, and his hair... she didn't even know hair could look like that.

As he sunk into his seat, his lips parted in a slight smile and he held out a hand.

“Melody, right?” His voice was heaven; intrusive and smooth, she could feel it dripping over her like honey. It wasn’t fair. Melody took his hand and smiled. Could he feel her heartbeat thundering in her wrist?

“And you’re Florian.” She leaned back and tried to control herself. She was too old for this love at first sight crap. But still. Damn. “And you don’t look like your picture. From your profile, I knew you’d be hot, but not seventh level of hell hot.”

He smiled like he’d heard it before and fidgeted with his silverware. His knife caught the light and he smiled a little strangely as he looked at it.

“And you’re pretty.” He said. Her heart stopped for a moment. Hearing that from him was amazing, but the way he said it almost sounded like she was just pretty.

Looking up from his knife, he ran his soulful eyes up and down her body. Melody had dressed just revealing enough to say she was open to progression, but not free. But suddenly she felt bare. And desperate. Desperate for him to like what he saw.

His eyes met hers and he smirked. She gave a quick sigh of relief and then straightened. There was something to get over with.

“Florian, I just want to clarify what you want. You looking for a serious relationship or something more casual?” She fidgeted with her purse. “Because I checked your Instagram and your bio said you were in a relationship? Is that just something you never changed, or do you have an open situation and are looking for a good time?”

A little laugh escaped Florian’s lips and Melody’s voice failed her. A blush rose to her cheeks. Leaning forward, he pinched her red cheek and she jolted, surprised, and slapped irritably at his hand.

“Cute.” He lilted. All irritation drained from Melody’s mood. Florian smiled and said, “I like that you cut to the chase. It’s attractive. I’m looking for someone pretty seriously, I want a girl who will stand by me for a long time coming. And I could say that I’m in a relationship, but not physically.”

“So, like an emotional relationship?” Most dates, this would be the part where Melody stood and walked out without looking back. But she wasn’t sure she could move if she tried. “Do you have a girl bestie you have deep conversations with and all that crap?”

Florian laughed again.

“Hell nah, cutie. That’s just a girlfriend you haven’t slept with yet. Hell nah. The person I have a relationship with...” he looked down at his knife again, flat side up. “is me.”

“Like, you’re into self love?” Melody stared at his face. She wanted him to look at her again. “I guess that’s healthy.”

“Something like that, yes.” He looked up, eyes shadowed and dangerous. “I love beautiful things. Have you ever seen anything more beautiful than me?”

“I’ve never seen anything more beautiful than you.” Melody echoed. She could feel herself slipping further.

“But loving yourself has its more carnal limits.” Florian laughed. It was a joke. Melody laughed. His muscles moved under his skin as he shifted his position and reached across the table. As his hand touched hers, a current ran up her arm.

“I’m not easy, you know.” She felt like she had to say it.

“Melody.” Her name was magic on his lips. “I also looked you up on Instagram. Plus, you came on a date with someone who openly said he was in a relationship. And you came wearing that.” He smiled and looked down at her again.

She wanted to slap him. Anyone else, and she would have.

“It’s not a bad outfit.” She insisted weakly. “It’s reserved.” He leaned further forward, lifting off his seat until his lips brushed her ear.

“It’s beautiful,” he whispered, “but it’s begging to come off.”

Wind rushed in her ears. A gaping hole was beneath and all around her. Darkness began to swallow her.

Her throat was dry. No doubt he could hear her heartbeat. She could hear his, as his neck met hers. It was steady and even.

“You know, I thought I had fallen in love before. I thought that was a euphemism.” Melody laughed weakly.

Florian brought his face in front of hers. Up close, it was even more perfect. The Platonic ideal of beauty incarnate, what man was meant to look like in a whole unbroken world.

“Let me catch you,” he mumbled softly, “for a while.”

He leaned in to kiss her and she knew she was gone.