*Amir*

*February 14, 2019*

As I strolled through Luna's studio hallway, I took a short glimpse at her in the mirror of her washroom, gazing down at the ring I sent to her a week ago. It was a gold band with an inscription on it and a red diamond heart. I also notice her wearing my necklace, which made me feel giddy inside.

Her beautiful flower dress and black heels looked stunning on her, and her pale pink nail polish on her fingernails were neat and shiny. She had her beautiful hair curled and was fluffing it out into different ways as she continued to model herself. I even heard her practicing what to say to me when we see one another. I silently laughed to myself as I stood still, thinking about another first holiday together for us. We have a date planned for tonight. Well, it was night time for me and early morning for her.

It's Valentine's Day, and we planned to go out into The Big Easy, exploring downtown, but also go on a date in Islamabad. Chase was apparently out of town on a business trip, and Sarah was with Mera and her family for the evening. And the last time Luna and I were out in her city was in December, so today was perfect. I had the day off, too.

Before seeing her, I showered and bathed, then pulled on a nice-looking tux with a brown shirt underneath. Then I trimmed my beard just the way she enjoyed it and parted my hair to the side after spraying a dash of cologne on my wrist. I wanted to look and feel extra special this evening, hoping it made my girl happy. One would think I was getting ready to propose to a woman, but that wasn't it at all. I couldn't get enough of her smile and the goodness that oozed within her.

We spent the last few weeks either in her studio or doing something fun somewhere in both of our countries. It was kind of difficult at times because Sarah had fallen ill one time, and then Chase came down with the same thing. Once we were alone together, she suggested that we should do something for our first Valentine's Day. So here we are.

We'll probably just drive around and view both of our worlds, stay lost in the moment, and enjoy each other's company. Whatever we do, it will be amazing, because being around Luna was amazing. I arranged a candlelight setting on my hilltop under my gazebo with lights and small tea-light candles settled around it. I couldn't wait to show her when we get to my house.

As I slowly strolled toward the doorway, she cautiously turned around and gaped my way. Her hair flowed across her shoulders as she smiled widely, striding towards my waist.

"Good afternoon, Luna," I said, glancing down at the jewelry I sent her. I loved seeing her wear my gifts. "You look stunning."

"Thank you. So do you." She smiled and gazed down at her ring. "I love the ring. You're great with shopping. If only you were here, and we'd go shopping all the time."

"I know how to please. And if the jewelry pleases you, then that makes me thrilled," I said, biting my lip as we held hands.

She giggled quietly. "You could send a penny and I'd find love in that."

"Are you trying to tell me something? You need some money?"

She burst out laughing and shook her head. "I've never been a woman who had an agenda for being with somebody. I appreciate anything you send my way."

"Hm. Are you sure about that, because I could send you many things that would make you regret saying those words." She laughed a little and leaned up to kiss cheek. "Are you ready?"

"Yes, but how will we do this? Same as last time? Me in my car, and you in yours?" she asked, grinning.

"Well, you could show me around New Orleans some more. I never got to see a few areas that I wanted to see. And maybe we could both grab something to eat from a restaurant in each other's town. I know the perfect spot we could go to that is beautiful in the evening here in Islamabad. You could choose a spot in Louisiana. Something cajun." She beamed, looking happy with that plan.

After holding each other for a moment longer, she finally let go, and we walked out to our cars; mine was in front of my house, and hers was in the front of her studio's door. I looked around at the French Quarter and noticed how busy it was. I could see people walking in small groups down tiny sidewalks and along tiny alleys. After we were settled in our cars, I kept my radio on low as she has hers on a soft classical melody, keeping her attention on the road.

I asked her a few questions about the city and watched from her passenger side of many pedestrians walking frantically from building to building. Some were caring boxes of chocolate and vases with long-stemmed roses in them, and some were happy couples who are about to celebrate their love for each other. One man had a huge puppy dog with a red bow around its neck in his arms, grinning as he walked into a hotel. I hadn't had a chance to see New Orleans that much during the day, but now I see what the big fuss was about.

Every culture known to man was crammed into this exquisite town.

Wow. I'd never seen it this busy before. I was still in my car and settled on the side of the road before I drove further into Islamabad, so I could take in the sights here. When Luna said the city was busy during certain holidays, especially around a tradition called "Mardi ras," she wasn't kidding. I noticed street performers settled on block after block, restaurants and small businesses all lined up, and tall buildings with people running in and out of its doors. Luna then turned onto a street in front a large structure that I'd seen on TV, but I'd never seen it in person.

She came to a stop on the side of the road and glanced my way. "That is the Mercedes-Benz Superdome; it's where the New Orleans Saints play their football games. It's huge inside."

"I'm sure it is. I've never seen it this close-up before."

"Yeah. It's really nice. I wish I could go inside and show you around, but they're closed. There are other places I can show you around."

Luna restarted her engine and pulled back out onto the busy street and described the inside of the stadium. It can get crowded during a New Orleans Saints home game, and the building was used for survivors who took shelter from Hurricane Katrina several years ago. After making a right turn on a barely vacant street, we stopped talking about it. She wasn't around during the hurricane, but she remembered hearing about it while living in Texas. Some of her friends were affected during the storm.

Luna turned on a corner as she passed by several graveyards with tall tombstones above ground, just like in the movies, and I couldn't help but feel a little morbid to want to jump out and go walk around them. But now wasn't the time. I just wanted to continue to enjoy Luna's tour and have a good time with the Queen of the South here.

She smiled and told me about some history behind the graveyards, then passed by several Victorian Antique homes with the Louisiana State flag draped over their porches along with the American Flag. When she pulled into a parking spot of a parking garage, she hopped out of her car and opened my door.

After giving her a confused expression on my face, she said, "Let's take a walk for a moment. I want to take you somewhere."

I smiled and nodded, then gazed around the area, feeling a little over dressed if I were here in person, considering most of the other people had jeans and a nice shirt on. Some men had black tuxedos or suits, although they were probably bankers and attorneys. I climbed out and walked with her as she paid a ten-dollar bill for two-hour parking. Ridiculous.

"To get the full Louisiana tourist experience, you should take a ride in a street car. So I'm taking you to the trolly stop, and we'll hop on when it comes," she informed me.

This had to be the most authentic date I've ever experienced. Well, I'd never been on a date, but this was a perfect tour of a city I've always wondered about. I was excited to see where we'll go to next. Louisiana wasn't bad with entertainment and tourism. And I wouldn't mind traveling down here to experience the things she did.

After we hop on a street car that came our way, she only had to pay for one rider (which I laughed in her ear), and she sat on the right side, close to the aisle. She let me have the window seat; she insisted. When other passengers started looking at her like she was crazy for talking to herself, she brought up her phone and held it to her ear. Then she whispered things as we rode slowly down different streets, as it casually stopped to let other people get on or off. I kept my eyes peeled all around me, feeling anxiety flow through me. I was relaxed, though.

Luna laid her hand over mine as we glanced around downtown and crossed over train tracks. I did most of the talking, so all she had to do was mumble a yes or a no. But when we reached a hotel called Harrah's Casino, she scooted down into her seat.

"Why are you doing that?" I asked her.
She peered outside the window and then back at me.

"One of Chase's friends is in the front, and he doesn't need to see me in a streetcar."

"What would happen if he did see you?" I asked, gazing into her eyes.

"I don't know. The man could follow me or something. He'll see that I am alone and that would raise questions. I don't need Chase getting upset over seeing me riding around. I didn't expect to see Milo. That's Chase's friend."

I nodded and said, "It's okay. Stay down." Then the streetcar came to a stop, and we hopped out. She lead me down a famous street I'd only read about, aside from seeing scenes from the entertainment industry down here.

Bourbon Street.

And this street was... lively. That's the best description I could say about it. Not only was it very busy, but one would surely not get bored by walking down this road. Luna was wearing her cute flower dress that sometimes hit the columns that held up rooftops, and it also gathered several onlookers to gaze at her like they were starving animals. If I were here, and she were standing next to me, I wouldn't put up with how their eyes stayed locked on hers. They wouldn't even have their vision after I was done with them.

I shook my head and concentrated on my queen, holding her hand like a normal couple who were enjoying a day out together. I glanced down at my watch and it was almost ten pm for me. It's late, but it felt early.

For the next thirty minutes we walked around the French Quarter and went in and out of different shops. She showed me her favorite places she likes to visit and snacks of her favorite foods. I didn't mind it when she suggested on sitting in a fairly crowded café and was served fruit and vegetables shortly afterward. I sat across from her as she kept pulling her foot out of her heel to rub against my ankle.

While picking up a carrot and sucking the end of it slowly before nibbling a piece, she smiled my way, licking her lips. I opened my mouth and raised an eyebrow. "Something tells me that tastes good."

With a devilish grin, she laughed. "Something long, hard, and tasty usually does the trick." My insides were like fire, and I straighten up. But then she continued with her naughty teasing by reaching for a banana, peeling it slowly and placing it gradually into her mouth.

"I can tell."

"Well, I need something to satisfy my... craving," she murmured, winking at me.

I arched my back and moved in closer. Then I whispered as I stared into her eyes, "I guess some items aren't always on a menu. And there are plenty of other edible things to satisfy your craving, Ms. Carlyle." She blushed and gulped down her glass of tea. "Maybe we should wrap this up and head back to your car. I haven't had my supper yet, but desert is what I'm craving for," I confessed, raising an eyebrow.

"Hm. Well, Mr. Khan. I may know something for you to eat that is tasteful, and very prepared."

The both of us teasing each other like this was provocative and arousing. I wanted to get a hold of myself and turn the other cheek, but with someone as fascinating as her, resisting her was only making me want to indulge into more, even though this was out of my character. I wasn't used to having a great time with a woman, but Luna was different. Very irresistible and insatiable.

After fifteen minutes of gazing into each other's eyes and joking, she finally stood up, and I joined her. She paid for her meal, and we walked along a sidewalk that took us to an area called The Riverwalk.

She showed me around the pier and cruise ships that docked to unload passengers, then we visited several shops and small markets nearby. Almost an hour later, we finally hopped on a bus and headed back to her car. Once she started it, she pulled out of her spot and we rode through the downtown area a little longer, then began going on Interstate 10 towards a place she recommended to grab something to eat.

A Cajun Restaurant was the name, and she ordered Red Beans and Rice, some sausage pieces, a small bowl of bread pudding, and a piece of cornbread with a bottle of Fruit Punch. When she reached her studio, she stayed in her car as I drove off where I sat at and headed to my favorite restaurant, which was surprisingly open this time of night.

I picked up a few items for myself and drove back to my house. It'll be a dinner under the stars for us, along with being at her studio. Being in two places at once was the most fun I'd ever had. I truly enjoyed her tour of New Orleans.

Amir's backyard gazebo

Once I was home in my driveway, she walked through her studio door and I walked inside my front door. Her mouth dropped immediately as I took her out back shortly after she went up to her rooftop through the emergency staircase and laid out a light blue sheet to sit on. Then she arranged all her food on the side and pulled up her speaker box as she put on a jazz song she mentioned that was her favorite. I smiled and sat here eating some curry. She made a cute face as she digested what I was eating.

Luna's Rooftop
(Meet Midnight, the kitty who hangs on the roof)

While picking up a piece of her sausage, she ate it in a slow, taunting way and chewed the end. It almost made me gag a little because I wasn't a sausage eater, but luckily it didn't physically go into my mouth. I got close to finishing my meal as we sat under a bright sun, but also a moon-lit sky, with a few stars shining. We were both seeing the world in two different places, and nothing could top this moment in time. The night, and day, had been exhilarating, and seeing her city in the daylight for once felt like home. Maybe that's because she is my home.

For a little while, we had a light conversation about some places that she'd like to visit, and some of her long-term goals.

I casually smiled and nodded, understanding how goal-oriented she was and how I had the same ones. I'd never gotten around to achieving all my dreams, but one day I will.

"What made you like science?" Luna asked, as we both looked up at the stars on my side.

"Well," I began, after taking a sip of my drink. "At an early part of my life I enjoyed studying scientific things. Like insects, or the human body. So I decided I would become a doctor. I wanted to understand how the body worked and work my way up to physical science. Later, I enjoyed chemistry and became a scientist. I like chemistry the most, to be honest." I wiggled my eyebrows at her, and then she bit her lip as her eyes traveled around her rooftop.

She turned back to me and smiled. "So working in a laboratory and coming up with different ways to cure diseases was something you've always wanted to do?"

"Not necessarily. I studied medicine at the university and later got a degree in physical therapy. Then after my graduation, I began working in several labs, just to learn as much as possible. Faisal sort of urged me to continue doing that, so I started at the research building I am in now and have never left."

"Oh, that's cool. I love physical science, and definitely chemistry. Chemistry is quite wonderful to experience, if I should say so myself," Luna teased, licking her spoon in a salacious way.

After I cleared my throat, I adjusted myself on her blue sheet and leaned over to her ear. Then I whispered, "If I'm being honest, I've never been so jealous of a spoon before."

She flushed and gulped more of her juice down. I hoped I wasn't too forward. Although, she didn't seem disgusted, so that was a good thing.

It was after midnight and late, so I rose to my feet and helped her up. Then I took off my blazer and tossed it to the side. I reached for her hand and pulled her close against my chest, an arm securely around her waist, her body pinned against mine as we both swayed slowly to a song that played on her phone. The Crescent moon was out but almost covered by thick clouds that hovered the night sky. And what was more fascinating was that there were clouds on her end, covering the sun.

Every part of my body ignited with hers, her thighs moving along with mine. There were deep, even breaths moving from inside my chest as I sway her body in step with me, and I marveled over the fantastic dancer she really was. While I circled my hand over her hip and ran my thumb in idle circles, I soothed her skin and caressed the open part of her flesh. Luna looked downward and gasped, noticing her dress was inched up, exposing her black panties. My other hand stayed on the back of her thigh as her leg was propped up around my hip bone.

Hip pressed against hip, I was feeling a little hot and sensual. Running a hand down her cheek, I let go of her leg and set it back down. Then I cupped both of her cheeks with my hands and lowered my lips to hers, kissing her deeply and passionately.

While gazing into my eyes, Luna ran her hand through my gelled hair and grinned. "Good thing we have your backyard to ourselves. My lower region is showing."

I nodded. "True." I gave her a quick kiss on the end of her mouth, grinning softly. "You feel so good against my body. It turns me on. You turn me on."

"What else do I do to you?"

"I think we both know the answer to that question."

"Are you sure though that you want to show the world, "What's underneath the hood?" What if someone on my side is watching outside their window?"

I inched backward and lowered her dress back down. She was right; no one should see what's under her dress. "Better?"

"For now," she said, nodding slowly. Then she leaned down and reached for a sucker in her small candy bowl that she brought out. After unwrapping it, she popped it into her mouth and began sucking on it. "When you see me with one of these tasty things, they satisfy a craving I struggle with."

"When you said you like things that are hard and tasty, you weren't kidding."

"Nope. I wasn't." She pulled the sucker out and continued to lick it in a very tempting way.

God, she was teasing the hell out of me. Her eyes narrowed down, taunting me to move my hand in between her thighs. So that's what I did. Bringing her leg around my waist again, I ran my hand along the back of her thigh and felt a thin string wrapped around her skin. Fiddling with the wire, I hooked one finger around it and felt the items hanging on the line, noticing what it was. It was a thin candy string in the place of a garter. Hm. She wanted me to taste what she had between her legs.

As I lowered my waist downward, I placed my mouth around a tasty treat and bit it off with my teeth, like an animal. I then chewed it slowly and licked my lips, staring hard into her eyes. Moving to her thigh, I kissed her skin and felt her shiver with my hands above her hips. Knowing that it sparked her caused my nerves to sky rocket. It was definitely a turn-on.

Luna placed her hands on my shoulders and squeezed gently as she closed her eyes for a moment. "Am I turning you into a freak, Mr. Khan?"

"Oh, I've always had an inner freak inside me," I told her, my mouth still against her thigh. "You help make the inner freak come out. I enjoy my other side."

"Really... just like Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde?" I shook my head and made her breath flow slowly out of her lungs. I stayed still, not wanting to move.

"More like Bruce Banner dealing with The Hulk. The Hulk lives inside of me."

She giggled as we stayed quiet, our eyes locked on the other. "I knew you had a dark side in you."

I gave her a soft smile, keeping our gaze, until a flock of birds flew over to her studio's rooftop, and I stood back up, glancing around. She took my hand and whispered, "Let's go back downstairs. The birds stay out here for a while."

I nodded and followed behind her after she grabbed her phone and began descending down the stairs. When we got back into her office, she stood to the side of her desk and bit her lip, not saying anything or looking my way.

"Is everything okay?" I asked her, and her eyes peered my way.

"Yeah. Sorry. I just... I think I needed a moment to breathe. I'm sorry. I saw the birds, and we were in the middle-"

"In the middle of getting closer," I said, answering for her. She pressed her lips into a thin line and nodded her head.

"Yeah. I mean, I made the garter as more of a joke and to show you that I was creative in other ways than photography. When I felt your lips kissing my thigh, I couldn't stop thinking about kinky things with you. We kept teasing each other and flirting all day, and it was becoming a little overwhelming. I wasn't expecting to get this carried away."

"It's okay. I understand. I won't lie that I was having the same kind of thoughts about you, Luna."

I don't want to tell him that I was happy that birds interrupted us, Luna murmured in her mind. We've been so sensual and connected lately that I wanted us to go further. That wouldn't have been okay. We needed that break. I'm so glad the birds came when they did. It's so easy to get lost with Amir.

"Luna," I whispered, interrupting her thoughts. "You don't have to explain. We were both caught up in the moment. We tend to get caught up in the moment sometimes." She laughed and exhaled a deep breath.

"True, but-" Luna started to say, until someone honked a horn outside her studio. Then we heard a knock on her studio door.

"Luna!" a female voice said outside.

"Hold on. I'll be right back," she told me as she gazed my way. I nodded and stayed put until she was back.

Then she walked to her front door, and I heard a soft female voice talking to her. A few minutes later, Luna walked back to where I was.

Peering back at me, she murmured, "It's Mera. Something is wrong with Sarah. She has a stomach ache." I nodded and took her hand.

"Please. Go to her. Find out what's wrong."

Luna smiled up at me and wrapped her arms around my shoulders, hugging me gently. "I hate to cut our time short, but I need to go check on her. She must've eaten something that made her sick."

"No. No. It's okay. She comes first. She always comes first. Take care of her and connect back to me when you can. Let me know how she is." I hoped that Sarah will be all right. I wondered what she could have ingested to make her ill.

"Happy Valentine's Day, Amir. Thank you for a great time."

"Same here. Happy Valentine's Day, Ms. Carlyle."

She giggled as I gave her a tiny kiss on her cheek and then she was gone. I walked back out to my yard and cleaned the food I brought out here and headed back inside. Luna's cute little candy garter was such a sweet surprise. The candy was tasty, too. She was a beautiful and creative person with a heart of gold. Slowing us down was okay, and just spending the holiday with her was special as her aura captivated my heart. I couldn't wait to spend another holiday with her. I hope we're able to include Sarah as well, because she was an amazing little girl, too. They both were.