To Breathe is to Live

[writersyndicate]

Challenge: AO3 Is Down Prompt: Any, any, “you don’t want this.” “But I want you. So where you go, I go.”
Gifted to: KannaChan27

Tropes: Mafia MMC, Tattooed MMC, Fall Season Vibes, I Want You, He Falls First, Follow You to the Ends of the Earth, I Want to Show You the World

Note: Apparently, this is now a continuation of characters from a scene I wrote for another shortfic prompt. Shortfic: A Gentle Caress

Her breath caught in her throat as her back hit the brick wall. The bustle of the city came alive around them as the world woke. The jingle of the bells of her familiar coffee shop told her that they were drawing attention, but she ignored it to stare at the man who had placed a hand next to her head. Alec was dressed in his usual three-piece suit, with only the barest hint of tattoos peeking above his collar. She noticed that one was still fresh. A dove. She flushed bright red and her eyes snapped up to meet his in shock.

Alec chuckled and tucked a stray piece of auburn hair behind her ear. His fingers traced softly down her neck, leaving goosebumps in their wake. She shivered, and her heart thundered in her chest. Alec had been very gentle with her and had not rushed his advances. He was like a predator that waited patiently for his prey to move.

People walked by them but both ignored them to focus on the building tension that had built between them over the last few months. She blushed lightly as his stance shifted, bringing his body closer to hers.

"You always test me, dove. You test my patience. You test my resolve and I am losing. I am losing the will to deny myself your presence. You have become my addiction, Ms. Summers."

She fluttered her lashes and her eyes dropped to the ground in embarrassment. One of her arms wrapped around her waist and she hunched forward slightly. Someone like him wanted her? Why?

"You don't want this," her voice barely audible. "You don't know me, Alec."

"Do I need to know how to breathe in order to live? No, dove, I don't. But I want to. I want you."

She shook her head, but two fingers curled under her chin and lifted it so her eyes met darkened blue. His palm slid up to cup her jaw, which she leaned into.

"I want you, Iris. I don't know what this is or where it will go, but I want you. So where you go, I go with you. Where I go, I want to bring you with. I want to give you the world."

His thumb traced her cheek softly as she closed them, savoring that moment. She could feel his heavy gaze on her face, watching. Waiting.

"Okay." She opened her eyes. "Then show me."