Chapter Four

Here we go again :) Much love to all of you for your kind words. Read, review and enjoy!

After I had fully stuffed myself with what might have been the most delicious food I've ever had, Patch led me back out to the car. "I don't suppose you'd close your eyes till we got there?" he asked.

"Maybe."

He watched me for a moment, then gave a short laugh. "Didn't think so."

"What, don't trust me?" I responded, poking his leg playfully.

"I trust you with my life, Angel. But with my surprise? Not even close."

"This would all be easier if you'd just tell me where we are going," I said, trying one last time, though with little hope of success by now. Patch just shook his head exasperatedly.

The streets and stores started to become familiar as we approached our destination. Patch parallel parked—rather impressively, I will admit—and hopped out of the car with a small smile on his face.

"Delphic Amusement Park?" I asked as I joined him and he draped an arm over my shoulder.

"Surprise, Angel. It's ours for the night."

I stared at him incredulously. "What?"

"I know the owners," he said with a mischievous smile. I raised an eyebrow, convinced this wasn't the whole story. "They were easily convinced…with a small cash bribe." I crossed my arms. "Okay, a large cash bribe." I tried to maintain my serious face, but I cracked a smile within seconds and wrapped my arms tightly around his waist.

Patch pressed a kiss to the top of my head. "C'mon. Let's go relive our first date."

"I hardly think this was the place of our first date…"

The corners of Patch's mouth flicked up with amusement. "Hmm…You must remember the night differently than I. I remember you leaving another guy to come talk to me, and then ditching your friends to ride the Archangel with me. I remember putting my arm around you when you got scared, and you clinging to my side. And I remember giving you a ride home on my motorcycle, and you holding on much tighter than you needed too," he said, slurring his words seductively. "Sounds like a date to me."

I felt color flush my cheeks. "Isn't that when you still wanted to kill me?" I pointed out.

Patch drew me closer to him. "It's when I realized I could never do anything to hurt you."

I let him hold him tightly for a moment before I sighed, my face pressed tightly against his chest. "Okay, I have a confession. I don't remember what tonight is the anniversary of." I grinned sheepishly at Patch, but his chest shook as he laughed.

"Let's see…Today is the 15th? That would make it the 7 month anniversary of when you first lent me a pencil."

I gaped at him. "You have got to be kidding me."
"Hey! I got an A on a test with that pencil," he claimed. When I didn't respond, he continued. "Alright, you got me." He leaned against the rail behind him, managing once again to look sexy effortlessly. "A year ago today, Dabria told me your name." He reached out for me again, and grabbed both my hands in his, swinging them gently between us. "And my life has never been the same since."

"I hope that's a good thing," I said, trying to keep my voice cool, though it was constricted with emotion.

"The best," he said, reeling me in for a kiss.

The evening passed too quickly for my taste. We stayed in the park for over two hours, and while I wasn't feeling tired, my body betrayed me and I began yawning frequently. "Ready to go home, Angel?" Patch asked sweetly.

I shook my head. "I don't have to be home for two more hours."

Patch raised an eyebrow. "Oh?"

"I told my mom we were meeting Vee for a concert, and she needed backup," I admitted, rather self-satisfied.

He chuckled. "So rebellious! I think I may be a bad influence on you."

"Funny, Vee said the same thing about herself. Ever consider it's my own doing?"

"Call it what you want," he replied, pressing his forehead against mine. "I get to spend two more hours with you, that's what's important."

Patch's home was cool and dark when we entered, but still felt as familiar and welcoming as the farmhouse. I sat on the couch, where Patch soon joined me. Resting my head in his lap, I closed my eyes as he gently stroked my hair. We fell into one of our easy conversations, talking of everything and anything that crossed our minds. I'd never spoken to anyone like this, not even Vee. There were no boundaries between us; every guard had been completely dropped. I talked and Patch listened; Patch talked and I listened. What we said wasn't as important as what we felt. And in those moments I felt the world fall away. All that mattered was Patch; that I had never been so comfortable, so safe, so loved ever. That I would trade in the rest of my life for one more moment with him. I knew that wasn't right—and I had no plans of abandoning my future, but in the safety of his embrace the future seemed far away and all that mattered was right here, right now. Vee's words came back to me then. That it didn't matter what other people thought as long as I knew it was what I wanted.

And I wanted to be with Patch.

So, when Patch began to stand at around 1:10, muttering reluctantly about me needing to get me home before curfew, I turned and kissed him softly.

"I don't have to go," I said slowly, confident in my choice but not of Patch's reaction.

"Angel…" he replied, as if not really sure what to say.

"I could stay, tonight," I tried to clarify, burying my head in his chest to camouflage the blush I had been trying to fight off.

His hands gripped my shoulders, and he pushed me gently away so that I was looking at him in the eyes. "Are you sure?" he asked seriously.

"Yes," I said, with a conviction that surprised even me.

Patch regarded me for several long moments, searching for any sort of doubt. Then, breathing out slowly, said, "Okay," and linked his hand with mine, walking us back to his room.

I sat on the corner of his bed and crossed my legs, trying to keep them from shaking. Patch came over and gave me a quick kiss, resting his hand on my leg as he did so. I noticed his hand shaking, too, and I was shocked when I realized I wasn't the only one who was nervous. He stepped into the bathroom, and I took the opportunity to send a few quick texts. One, to my mother explaining that I was sleeping over at Vee's, and the other to Vee to fill her in on my cover story.

Told my mom we went 2 a concert w you, and now I am ur house. Cover plz?

She responded almost instantaneously.

Of course. R u at Patch's?

Yes.

Patch stepped back out the door the moment I clicked send. He smelled of mint as he came and sat beside me. "Nora," he began, cupping my chin so that I looked him in the eyes. "Is this really what you want? Not for me, but for you."

"I'm sure, Patch," I said, pulling his hand away and gripping it tightly.

"I never want you to regret anything," he whispered.

"It's you, Patch. It's us. I could never regret it." He gave a small smile, and I leaned in to kiss him.

Our kisses were soft at first, tender. Patch's hands were light against my back, holding me close with the gentlest pressure. Fearing I would lose my nerve, I reached for his jacket without really thinking, and Patch shrugged it off his shoulders. Our kisses grew more passionate as Patch continued removing his shirt and tie. I ran my hands over his tan skin as he kissed my neck, careful to avoid his wing scars. With a jolt, though, I realized it was my turn. Patch pulled away for a moment, looking at me to see if I wanted to stop.

But I didn't.

Despite my nerves, I had never felt so good, so confident, as I did in those moments with Patch. With a shaky breath I untucked my shirt from my skirt and began to pull it over my head. Patch's hands were cool on my flushed skin as he helped me, bringing his mouth back to mine as soon as I threw my shirt aside.

Laying down on the bed, I pulled Patch down with me, working at the buckle on his pants. I gasped as within minutes we were clothed in only our underwear. Suddenly self-conscious, I crossed my arms over my stomach, where I was acutely aware of those extra pounds I had been trying to lose. Patch pulled away my hands, kissing them both several times. Then, carefully, he lowered himself down and kissed my stomach at the very spot I felt was most self-conscious about. Slowly, deliberately, he continued kissing up my stomach until he reached my neck and nuzzled into it. "I love you, Angel," he breathed, and I let out a low moan.

"I love you, Patch."

He began kissing me again, his arms entwining around me, until his fingers reached the clasp of my bra. He paused, again making sure I was okay. This time, I didn't stop him. I wrapped my arms around his neck and pulled him even closer.

That night I slept in Patch's arms.