RED NOTES AND KISSES-Chapter 121: FRIDA -

He was warmth itself in the blazing cold of winter. His touch radiated comfort.

It felt good to hold his hand, to feel his skin. Just holding him like this was pure bliss.

She sniffed deeply, her face buried in his chest, and whispered, "You showered."

"Hmm, I wanted to smell good for you, Sunset," Laz murmured. Frida smiled, pulling him closer.

"You do smell amazing," she said, snuggling into him.

He kissed her hair, her forehead, her eyes, her cheeks, and finally her lips. "When I woke up, you weren’t here."

She sighed. "I went to get you some things, but apparently, you don’t need them."

He grabbed the bag she carried and grinned. "I do."

She smiled softly. "I missed you," she whispered.

He led her to the bed. On the bedside table, food was laid out—rice, chicken, strawberries, mangoes, fruit juice, cupcakes, chips.

"You must be starving. I bet you haven’t eaten in days," he said as she sat opposite him on the bed.

His gaze made her blush.

He opened a plate of eggs and meat, and her stomach growled audibly.

"It smells amazing," she admitted, her mouth watering.

"Bet it tastes even better," he teased with a wink, mixing the eggs and meat with rice before feeding her a spoonful.

She closed her eyes, savoring the flavor. "Mmm, it’s delicious."

He smiled, dishing out more. "I ordered it because I knew you’d be hungry," he said, feeding her again.

Then, he sliced mangoes, offering her a piece. Frida stared at him intently. "Aren’t you going to ask where I’ve been?"

He shook his head, feeding her the mango slice. "No. If it’s important, you’ll tell me."

He picked up strawberries, gently stuffing her mouth full.

"You’re not even a little bothered that I wasn’t here?" she asked, her eyes roaming his face.

He arched a brow. "Of course I was. But I’m not going to be a clingy, insecure boyfriend and start yelling. I trust you. If it’s worth sharing, you’ll tell me."

She chewed thoughtfully. "That’s very mature of you."

"I’m going home soon," she said, watching for his reaction. "I want to see my parents."

He nodded, taking a bite of a cupcake. "I figured. You spoke with Delancie, didn’t you?"

Frida’s breath hitched. Her eyes narrowed. "How do you know I was with Delancie?"

"I have my ways," he said, his tone casual. "Just like I know you’re going to Central Bank tomorrow. Don’t worry—everything will be fine." He reached across the table, holding her hand.

"Delancie wouldn’t dare mess with what’s mine. No one would, unless they want New York painted in their blood," he said, his confidence unwavering.

"You sound like some gangster," Frida teased as he fed her more rice.

"Not at all—just a meticulous boyfriend," he replied with a shrug.

Frida arched her brows. "Laz, you sound obsessed with me."

"Not obsessed. Just caring," he said casually.

She rolled her tongue in thought. "Pierre?"

"Don’t worry about that son of a bitch," he spat. "I’ll take care of it."

Frida pulled her hand away. "Oh my God! You are obsessed with me!"

She couldn’t take it anymore. Furious, she turned to leave.

"Baby, wait!" Laz called out, his footsteps heavy behind her.

"Please, Sunrise, listen to me," he pleaded. "Frida, please."

He dropped to his knees before her.

"I’m just... a bit too caring, okay?" he said, desperation lacing his voice.

Frida looked into his eyes, begging her on his knees, teary... like he would fall apart if she didn’t forgive him right there.

She shouldn’t be mad at him—not right now. She was so temperamental sometimes.

"Stop being dramatic and get up, Laz," she said, rolling her eyes.

He beamed up at her. "Am I forgiven?"

He intertwined his fingers with hers, his joy almost childlike, as if forgiveness from her was the most beautiful thing ever.

He circled his arms around her shoulders.

"Wanna see something?" he whispered.

"What’s that?" she asked, hypnotized by his gray eyes.

"Outside. Come, let me show you," he said.

She followed him into an elevator. They stood there for a while.

"Are we gonna make out in here?" she asked.

"Frida!" he gasped, shocked. "We could get caught, you know."

She turned to face him. "So?"

He smirked. "You wanna get caught?"

She grinned, her eyes sparkling, as his back hit the wall. "Why not?" she whispered. "It’s midnight, and no one will see us."

Laz grinned. "You’re such a bad girl sometimes."

She bit her lip. "I’m just horny," she said, kissing him.

She kissed him slowly, tugging at his bottom lip and slipping her tongue into his mouth. She needed this—desperately. She clawed at his clothes, feeling the taut muscles underneath.

He lifted her, her legs wrapping around his waist. Their kisses became hotter, faster, stealing their breaths until—

Ding.

The elevator opened, and they froze, startled by the sight of an old lady standing in the hallway.

Frida scrambled out of Laz’s arms, her cheeks flushed and hot, as he quickly dropped her.

He grabbed her hand, pulling her out of the elevator. She hid her face with her hair. "Why did we do that?" she groaned in agony.

Laz’s laughter surprised her.

"Because we’re young and stupid," he said, chuckling and pinching her red cheeks.

He opened a door to the rooftop, and the view took her breath away.

A million stars hung in the dark sky. Snow fell slowly, in delicate, pretty flakes.

She reached out to touch it, awestruck by the beauty of it all.

She sighed as he led her to a small blanket with a glowing lantern, Disney books, plushies, and all the snacks she loved.

Her eyes watered as he squeezed her hand.

"Laz..." she breathed, and he smiled softly.

"You’ve had a hard time lately. When I woke up and you weren’t there, I thought about how to make you happy," he said.

She bent down and picked up a massive jellycat plushie. "Laz, these are limited edition," she whispered, a tear falling down her cheek.

"I just want you to be happy, Frida. I don’t want being with me to make you sad," he said.

"I have a very dark past, but I don’t want that to weigh on you. I just want you to love me," he added sincerely, his eyes watery as well.

"I’m hard to love... and no one has truly ever loved me. But you have, Frida. You’re the only one I have," he whispered.

She hugged him tightly, tears streaming down her cheeks. "You got shot because of me, Laz."

"It wouldn’t hurt more than losing you, Frida," he whispered back.

Her heart ached for him, a raw pain she couldn’t describe. "Make love to me, Laz," she whispered.

"Right here under the stars," she added.

And he didn’t hesitate. He slipped off the ugly sweater Delancie had given her, unclasped her bra, unbuttoned her jeans, and kissed her senseless.

"Missionary is considered a boring position," he said, taking off his own clothes.

His eyes burned into her soul as he put her on the blanket, surrounded by plushies, and pressed his bare skin against hers, hot and wet with sweat. She shivered from the cold and how good it felt.

Then he covered them with another blanket, slipping his fingers into her wetness, looking deeply into her eyes.

"But it’s the most intimate position," he whispered, rubbing her sensitive spot, and she arched with a sweet moan.

"Because I get to look in your eyes," he said, kissing her cheeks.

"Because I get to see you flushed," he added, kissing her lips.

"Because I get to watch you come," he whispered, as she moaned, her fingers digging into his shoulders as she climaxed.

"Oh, Laz," she whispered.

"Because I get to see the pleasure in your eyes as I enter you," he said, slipping into her, and she cried out.

"Yes, sunrise, you’re so beautiful," he murmured, kissing her deeply.

"I could watch you forever," he said, thrusting into her.

"I could destroy the whole world for you," he whispered, drowning in her moans.

As she came again, he trembled in her arms. "You’re right," he said, his movements not faltering.

"I’m absolutely obsessed with you," he admitted, and with a final, shuddering breath, he climaxed.

They were panting, their breaths coming out in uneven, soft gasps as he inhaled her scent.

She held him close, as if afraid he would vanish. "I’m scared," she whispered.

"I know," he said, holding her tightly. Their skin pressed together, warmth melding into warmth.

Their breaths and heartbeats intertwined, creating a rhythm only they could feel.

"What should I do, Laz?" Frida asked softly.

"Trust me," he whispered, his voice steady and comforting.

"That’s all you have to do... and I’ll give you the world, Frida," he said, brushing his lips against hers in a tender kiss. "Because you are my whole world."

That night even the stars envied them.