Page 7

seven

ulgan

A m I dreaming right now? The other day I was sitting with Theo worrying that Ada wouldn’t want anything to do with me, and now the woman of my dreams is holding my hand as we get ready for our first date.

This is a date, right?

I put way too much pressure on myself. I need to spend more time enjoying what’s happening right now instead of worrying about the future. I’m going to take in this moment.

Ada and I make the short walk to the park, passing others who have also chosen to take advantage of the unexpected warm weather.

“I brought a few drinks for us,” I say, “but I figured it might be fun to grab food from one of the food trucks.”

“I love a good food truck. Which one is your favorite?”

“Well, it depends on what you’re in the mood for. Pizza or sandwich?”

“Sandwich.”

“I’m on it. Do you want to set up the blanket while I go get the food?”

“Sounds good to me,” Ada says, and gives me the gift of her sweet laughter.

I return a little while later, and it’s almost shocking how comfortable we are together. We share stories about our childhoods, who our quirky friends are, and our mutual love of Indiana Jones movies.

After we finish eating, we walk around the park, continuing to get to know each other. According to my mate, her favorite color is sky blue, the ocean is where she feels most at peace, and her dream is to own a house with a big front porch so that she can look at the stars at night. Each new piece of information that I learn about her feels like a new piece to the puzzle that is Ada Walker, and I find myself greedy for more. I find myself trying to commit every bit to memory.

“So you mentioned that you have a sister. Are you two close?” she asks, her shoulder brushing against mine. It shouldn’t thrill me, but it does.

You’d think I’d never been around a woman before.

“Yeah, Selene and I were incredibly close growing up, and still talk all the time even though she lives a couple thousand miles away for work.” It sucks that my younger sister Selene and I live so far from each other. My mom always jokes that she waited for us to wake up one day and not be able to stand each other, but that day never came.

“What does your sister do?” Ada asks, sincerely interested.

“She’s an event planner for this big entertainment company. You should see the parties she puts together. They're absolutely insane.” I envy my sister’s ability to bring her visions to life.

“She has such a cool job. You really love your sister, huh?”

“Yeah, she’s all right.” I give Ada a wink to indicate that I’m joking with her.

“So, I know about your sister, but what about your mom and dad?”

I can feel myself grinning thinking about the story of how Selene and I came to be with our mom.

“Well, it’s kind of a long story, but Selene and I were adopted by our mom when we were young. Even though her mate had died recently, she didn’t hesitate to drive all night to pick us up when she received a call one day that two orclings had been abandoned and needed a home. Our family isn’t conventional, but I wouldn’t change a single thing about it.”

My mother has always been a remarkable woman to me. She rescued and raised two orclings by herself while running a bakery, and while always staying present for Selene and I.

“Your mother sounds wonderful,” Ada says.

My mother would also think that you are wonderful , I think, but I’m not weird enough to voice it out loud.

“She is.” Edie Durzum is a force to be reckoned with. “Would you like to stop for some ice cream before we head back?” As much as I enjoy ice cream, this is really just a desperate attempt to spend more time with Ada.

“It’s always a yes from me when ice cream is involved!” Ada’s eyes sparkle at the mention of the chilly treat.

Her enthusiasm makes me chuckle. We walk over to the ice cream shop that’s across the street from the park. Ice cream is one of my weaknesses, and I have it more times a week than I should. Ada orders a scoop of blueberry cobbler ice cream and I go with my favorite, mint chocolate chip. After some playful teasing from Ada about ordering “frozen toothpaste,” we sit on a bench outside of the shop to enjoy our dessert.

Watching Ada’s little pink tongue lap at her ice cream is a sensual experience. What I wouldn’t give to see what else her tongue can do. Ada sinfully runs her tongue around the top of the cone, and then her eyes close as she gives a satisfied moan which sends a jolt straight to my cock. Images of Ada’s tongue lapping at my length just like her damn ice cream instantly arouses me.

Shit, I need to stop thinking like this or else I’ll scare her with a massive hard on. All right Ulgan, think about the least sexy things you possibly can; global warming, sad dog videos, people who use the word ‘bae’, sauerkraut… This seems to be working.

Glancing at Ada, she is now licking melted ice cream off of her finger.

I’m screwed.

We fortunately finish our ice cream before the threat of another erection, but unfortunately, we make our return to the bakery. Man, it was hard to leave the park. This was the best date I’ve ever been on, and the idea of it ending makes me wish we could do this everyday.

We work for a few more hours, chatting and listening to music over the bakery’s speakers. Eventually, Ada comes bouncing over to the counter to tell me the mural is ready for me to see.

“All right, handsome, I’m going to need you to close your eyes for the grand reveal.” It pleases me beyond belief that she thinks I’m handsome. Her small hands are on my back now as she leads me over to the wall. It makes me crave more of her touch.

“Okay, are you ready?” Her excitement is evident in each and every word.

“Yes, Sunshine. I’m ready,” I respond with a light chuckle.

“You can open your eyes in 3, 2, 1!” she energetically shouts.

Lowering my hands from my face, all of the breath leaves my body as I gaze at her work. How the hell did she capture this bakery, this town, so well? My recipes were brought to life and immortalized forever. The mural is bursting with vibrant colors that immediately draw you in and capture your attention. Massive cupcakes, cookies, pies, and croissants fill the space and look shockingly realistic.

“Ada, I don't know what to say.” I stare, transfixed on the vibrant work of art.

“Do you like it?” she asks, sounding unsure of herself. We can’t have that now.

“Like it? I love it! Sunshine, you truly have a gift.” Picking Ada up off the floor, I pull her into a hug. Her giggle is music to my ears.

She wraps her arms around me. “Okay, you had me worried there for a second.”

I hate to do it, but I place her back on the ground.

Theo was right, I put too much pressure on myself to win Ada over when all I need to do is be myself.

The sun setting outside lets me know that it’s time to close the bakery for the day. Ada asks if she can help me with the final preparations for the next day, and I’m struck by how natural this feels. Having her with me, laughing together as we get work done. I leave the rest of the prep for my baking assistant, Benji. He’s helped take a lot of the load off of my shoulders recently, and I’m lucky to have him.

We close up the shop, and I’m thankful that Ada takes me up on my offer to walk her home. Hopefully she can’t see it for what it is: my desperate attempt to spend even just a few more moments with her.

Her thin sweatshirt isn’t a match for the chill in the air tonight. I wrap my arm around her shoulders, pulling her into my warmth. A goofy grin spreads across my face as she snuggles into my side.

The walk to her house is far too short, and I can’t help but wish that we had more time. This woman has wrecked me for anyone else.

“Thank you for walking me home.” A shy smile and stunning ocean eyes gaze back at me. “I had a really fun time today, Ulgan.”

“I did too, Sunshine.”

Ada lets out a little laugh. “Is that my nickname now?” she asks.

“You are a ray of sunshine, so the name fits,” I say, shrugging one of my shoulders. I omit the fact that I’m desperate for her sunshine in my life on a more permanent basis. The fates truly found me my perfect mate. “I’d love to get to know you more. Would you like to go out again? With me.” Fuck, could I be any more awkward?

“I would love to,” she says, moving in closer to me.

“Ada, I really want to kiss you right now,” I blurt out.

She gives a soft chuckle, angling her head upwards. “Do you see me stopping you?” she replies with an amused grin.

I bend down and press my lips to hers, keeping the pressure gentle. A small sigh leaves her lips, and the sound is a balm to my soul. Being this close to her scent, I feel at peace.

My lips leave hers, and she gives my hand a gentle squeeze. I’m starving for her touch now, but I can’t rush this. “Goodnight, Ulgan.”

“Goodnight, Sunshine.”

Ada walks into her cottage, and I wait for the door to close before walking back down the path and back to my apartment above the bakery.

I don’t like the idea of spending another night alone in my bed, but hopefully I won’t be alone for much longer. My mind wanders, wondering what it’d be like to wake up each morning with a naked Ada laying next to me. Her sleepy eyes settling on me, and being able to hold her or sink my cock deep into her body.

This train of thought needs to stop or I’ll be walking around town with a massive hard on.

Yeah, if today was just a glimpse of what my life would be like with Ada in it, then I need more of my sunshine.