Welcome to Gaia! ::

Melody’s eyebrows nearly disappeared into her hairline from the shock of that last little revelation; partly because she was shocked he wouldn’t have just picked it up and put it in her room if he’d found it out on a table and partly because he actually took the time to read it too. “So, you’re the reason I had to buy a replacement for Stacia.” She’d already finished reading book one and had left it in the living room to take with her to work the next day but come morning she couldn’t find it.

“And here I thought the only things you cared to read were things on coding and program software or work emails.” His room was often shut but she knew he had at least one shelf dedicated to old college textbooks and a few newer editions.

“Don’t suppose you took notes?” She teased. Well… mostly teased anyway.

Her smile softened as she took in Harvey’s expression and the way he seemed to be studying where their hands met. Contemplative, perhaps. A curiosity or question hinging on the edge of thought yet unspoken as if he were possibly weighing the options before acting.

Thoughts, which moments ago had been focused and clear, now fell to silence and while she tried to concentrate on the conversation they’d been having, all she could think about was the sensation she felt. It was both grounding and electrifying, a paradox she couldn’t quite wrap her mind around, but sent a rush of warmth through her body.

Her fingers, slightly offset from his own, linked between his, and in a slow movement, Melody closed her hand around his. Her thumb moved slightly, almost imperceptibly, tracing a small circle on the side of his hand.

There was something about this moment, about the intimacy of such a simple touch, that made her want to stay in it forever.

The gentle kisses he brushed across the back of her hand sent her heart fluttering, causing a pleasant warmth to spread from her chest to every other part. She felt a blush rise, coloring her cheeks a gentle pink hue.

He would no doubt be her ruin if he continued to tease her in such a way.

“That’s not fair…” she spoke upon a breathless whisper as he withdrew his hand. Her own remained suspended a moment longer, not quite wanting for the moment to end, to keep holding on, but knowing his assumption about lunch was true and she was not yet skilled enough to eat with chopsticks in her left hand.

She’d witnessed how he treated Meg early in their relationship and although she was reluctant to ever admit it out loud, even now because it felt too soon to bring such things up, Melody had wished just once that he would look at her the same way.

The way he looked at her now.

Melody nervously chewed her lower lip, debating whether to move close so they could sit side by side rather than across from each other. But decided that where they were was fine, this was where he had the dishes set and she did not want to be perceived as clingy.

“You’re right though,” she agreed with a small nod of her head, her voice a little louder than before. “I would really hate for the hours you’ve spent preparing all this to go to waste.” It smelled delicious and she knew from the few times she’d joined him and Rae that it would taste just as amazing, even more so since his mother contributed sides to the meal. It did, however, make her wonder if he had spoken to her as well since the timing of her visit seemed perhaps not so coincidental.