Waking to find his arms still around me, as though he couldn’t bring himself to release me during sleep?
I loved that even more.
I lay on my side, watching Stefan as he shifted beside me, one arm resting behind his head, entirely at ease.
“You said you’d teach me something useful. In German,” I added quickly.
He glanced at me. “Did I?”
“Yes. The other day, when I embarrassed myself linguistically.”
Stefan smiled. “Ah yes. Eels. That was memorable.”
“I aim to impress.”
“Oh, you succeeded.”
I nudged him with my foot. “Go on then. Teach me something.”
He studied me for a moment, as if considering how much trouble he wanted to cause.
“Very well,” he said. “Repeat after me.”
I raised my eyebrows. “This sounds dangerous.”
His eyes twinkled. “It is.”
That didnotreassure me.
Stefan leaned in. “Du bist schön,” he said in a low voice.
My breath caught. “I already know what that means.”
“And I’m saying it because it’s true.”
I couldn’t look away. “You think I’m… beautiful?”
Stefan didn’t break eye contact. “Yes. Your turn. Say it for me.”
I hesitated. “Du bist… schön.”
His expression didn’t change, but something in his eyes did. “Good.” His voice was quiet. He paused again. “Want to try another one?”
“Go for it.” I had to wonder what was next.
“Du machst mich verrückt.”
I repeated it carefully. “Du… machst mich verrückt. And that means?”
Stefan tilted his head. “You make me crazy.”
I snorted. “That seems unlikely.” It didn’t stop my pulse from quickening, however.
I shifted closer to him. “What about something practical?”
“Like what?”
I pretended to think for a moment. “How do I say ‘I don’t have a hovercraft full of eels’?”