This is a Story that Morden and I collaborated on. It's how Chel and Victory met, started dating, and fell in love.

A Likely Story



An Original Story Collaboration by WindtheMamaCat and mordenheim

All Rights Reserved.

Please do not repost without express permission.


His collar turned up against the damp and chill and his hands stuffed firmly into his pockets the red-maned zebra named Victor Mordenheim made his way down the sidewalk.
His single bright blue eye scanned the storefronts for anything new or interesting as he made his way through the few other pedestrians out and about. He tended to keep his eye cast downwards a bit as his tall, lanky form tended to tower over most others.

It wasn't his eye, however, that caught something different today. He blinked, taking a light sniff at the air.
A scent caught his nose.

Old, musty, warm and pleasant with a bit of spice and old leather. He recognized the wonderful scent of old books and was drawn to the storefront like a moth to a flame. He paused for a moment, looking at the display in the front window. They seemed to have a little bit of everything, from new, modern releases to some really old first edition things.
Everything from science fiction, to fantasy, horror, non-fiction, history and even a bit of mystery and politics thrown in for good measure.

"A Likely Story Secondhand Books. Sounds wonderful." He smiled to himself, opening the door,and ducking his head a bit as he made his way inside.
Chelsea Risu, or “Chel” to her family and friends, sat behind the check out desk adjacent to the front door of her store. The short, 5 foot 1 mouse girl, with grey fur, lavender hair, and too-large-for-her-face round glasses. She was sitting on stool with her elbows on the counter, and her face propped on her hands.

She heaved a heavy sigh, laced with boredom. It was a damp, cold Wednesday afternoon, and not only had no one come into her store today, no one had been in all week. While she did own the store, and all the books within it (Thanks to her late father) and didn't have to worry about rent (she lived above the store), she did have to worry about heat, food, and her phone bill.

Her large ears perked up, however, when the bell above the door rang as a potential customer opened it.

She gasped and stood up. Oh happy day. With any luck, she could afford groceries this week.

“Welcome to 'A Likely Story.” She said cutely to the tall male zebra. “I'm Chel.” She walked around the counter and stood a few feet away from. “Please, feel free to browse and ask me any questions that you might have.”

She gestured to the commercial, metal coffee maker, just her right, his left. “If you'd like, we have fresh coffee while you browse.”
She smiled cutely, showing her large front teeth.

Smiling serenely, the tall zebra was happy for the higher ceilings. His ears barely brushed it at all as he stood back up to his full height as he entered.

The scent of coffee mixed with the musty scent of the books providing a feeling of comfort and contentment. Even though he didn't drink coffee himself, he loved the smell of it and took a slow, deep breath.
The place just exuded warmth and welcome, even on such a rainy and cold day. He took a second to wipe a little of the excess water from his hair, slicking it back as he popped his collar back in place.
He smiled down at the excited, bubbly proprietor of the shop. She was every bit as warm and welcoming as the building itself, almost as if they were one and the same, or she was just drawing on the energy these old book shops seemed to have.

His voice was a warm bass rumble as he spoke, "Well, Chel. It's a pleasure to meet you! You can call me Victor. Thank you for the offer of coffee, but I was wondering, would you happen to have any books by De Writer or A.K. Yearling?”

He paused, “I have a few gaps in my collection and am always hoping to find a missing piece here or there."
Chel blushed at how tall he was, and how deep his voice was. She herself was just above a falsetto. She cleared her throat and smoothed the front of her knee length pencil skirt. She also hoped that the blush on her cheeks wasn't obvious to the handsome zebra.

“A pleasure to meet you, um, Victor.” She smiled cutely. “S-since you don't drink coffee, you, um can at least hang your coat up.” She gestured to the coat stand next to the door.
She waited patiently for him to take off his coat and hang it up. As he did, she got a better look at his torso and muscular arms through his t-shirt.

“By the Nines...” She whispered. She fanned herself with her blouse while his back was turned. “Oh, um... books. Right. Well, yes. I sell them.”

She thought for a second. “A.K Yearling? Yes. I have all of her Daring Do Series.” She lead him to the wooden book stacks near the back of the store. “All of my books are arranged first, Alphabetically by Author, and then by book title.”

She brought him to the A section, row D. “I have all of the Daring Do Titles written by A.K Yearling. First Edition.” She smiled up at him. “I have signed copies in my personal collection too.”

She then pointed down the stacks to the D shelf. “As for De Writer? Yes, I have his work as well. When Ms. Yearling retired, he wrote several volumes of Daring Do, with her permission.” She explained,” I have all of his Daring Do books. I even have his later work, “Among the Rom”... all 14 volumes. First Editions.”

She folded her hands in front of her waist. “All prices are fixed, Victor, but fair. All these books are no longer published, and are hard to come by. In fact, De Writer and Ms. Yearling donated them.”
She used her right index finger to twist her hair on the right side of her face, “That is, of course, well, I am willing to negotiate the price if you're willing to buy me dinner? Say, um, just down the road at Andres, Friday at 8? I enjoy their red '90 Port.”

He hums and smiles as she starts listing off the titles one after another, his eye widening as he sees the incredible collection of not only the books, but rare first edition printings of them. His eye was just lighting up with joy as not only were title after title missing from his collection shown to him, but actual, full sets of these treasures.

He was nearly hypnotized, but blinked and snapped out of it when he heard her mention going out to dinner, complete with time and place. He grinned a bit, almost a smirk, but softer as a low, happy rumble echoed through his chest. He crouched down a bit to meet her golden gaze, surprised by how lovely her eyes were and impressed by how forward she was being.

"Andre's? I've been there a few times. Their porterhouse steak is to die for and yes, their red Port is quite wonderful." He rubs his chin at her offer and nods, "It's a date, no deal required. I'll take your entire first edition collections of "Daring Do" and "Among the Rom", full price. I do have one more book I'm looking for, though."

He stands back up to his full height, looking on one of the higher shelves, "It's a little rarer. It was a collection of tales that De Writer collected for someone else. "Dr. Mordenheim's Travels"?"

Chel’s face was nearly beat red, and she almost fainted as the handsome Zebra not only gazed kindly into her eyes, but also accepted her offer for him to take her out to dinner. As his back was turned, again, as he looked at the books he was interested in, she fanned her face with her right hand.

“Dr. Mordenheim's Travels"?" She repeated. “N-n-no. Sorry. Those are very rare, and have never been donated.” Victor nodded in understanding.

She stopped, however as he turned back to her and told her that he planned to not only buy all the Daring Do books, and Among the Rom, but agreed to buy them at full price. Her knees quivered weakly at the thought of such a sale. That was more business than she did in a typical month.

She closed her agape mouth and swallowed hard. “Uh… so, um… That’s all 10 volumes of the A.K Yearling series, 3 Volumes of the De Writer Daring Do series, and all 14 Volumes of the Among the Rom Series…”
She gently pushed passed him, “accidentally” brushing her chest against his legs, (as that’s the only part she could really reach, being 2 and half feet shorter then him) and climbed the sliding ladder that was attached to the shelf. As she climbed, she thought that maybe such a short skirt wasn’t the best wardrobe choice.

Or maybe it was, seeing how she felt his gaze on her.

She started pulling the books off the shelf, and handing them to him. Once she handed him all 10 books, she climbed down the ladder, and led him to the D section to get the other books he wanted. “This way, please.”

Once they were there, she climbed the ladder and handed him the 14 ‘Among the Rom’ books. She took a few steps down, and lastly pulled out the 3 Daring Do books written by De Writer. She hopped off the ladder and walked back to the counter. She set her books down, and watched as Victor, with no visible strain, set his books down.

“Will you be taking these books home with you today? Or, um, using our free delivery service?” She asked as she rang up the books. “Oh, and that will be 2,050 dollars, please.”

"Two thousand fifty dollars? That doesn't sound like a fair price for a collection like this." He stifled a grin as he saw disappointment flicker across the cute mouse's expression. "I think three thousand would be a much better price, don't you?"

Waiting patiently for the price to be adjusted, he slotted his debit card, paying the full amount as he slid his hoof tipped finger gently along the spine of each book in turn, glancing at her as he did so. He turned, plucking his coat off of the hook and sliding it back over his arms, tugging it into place.

"If you have a box to put them in and maybe some plastic to put over them to keep them dry I'll take them with me. That way you hopefully don't have to get out in the drizzly mess out there today." He smiled a little wider, just for a second flashing not the normal, flat teeth of an equine but sharp, interlocking white teeth almost like a cartoon shark or something.

"Also, you said Friday at eight? Should I meet you at Andre's, or pick you up here?"

Chel nearly fainted at the re-negotiated price. She was absolutely stunned when the payment went through. Her eyes went wide at his smile. She blushed as she recovered. “Oh. Um… boxes. Yes. I have those…”

She turned and opened a door behind the check out desk, revealing a small storage closet. She pulled out four flat file boxes, and folded them. “These should do, I think.”

Once they were folded, she placed each of the books gently into the boxes. “They’re, um, coated in wax. Should be good enough for you to get them home.” She assured Victor. “As for dinner? I can meet you there.” She pointed towards the ceiling. “I live right above the store, so I don’t have too far to walk.”

She bite her lower lip “I really don’t know what to say, Victor… you… not only made my week, but my entire month… and I was really forward about dinner, and yet, you still agreed.”

She smoothed her skirt. “If I may be forward with you again… why did you agree to go on a date with me? N-not that I’m complaining. It’s just, a handsome guy like you must get a lot of people flirting with you.” She swallowed hard. “To be honest… I certainly did.”

He smiled softly as he saw her reaction to his counteroffer for the books, it was only fair, though. The price for the books was more than fair if they were sold individually, but to find them in one place as complete sets? That increased the value greatly for any collector.
While she packed up the books, he took another glance around the shop. The place was a treasure trove for any lover of books. Expensive and rare collector's editions were everywhere he looked, but there were also lovely half priced paperbacks everywhere for someone just looking for a nice read on a budget. Another long breath filled his nose with the smell of fresh coffee and old books once more before turning his attention back to Chell.

"Wax coated boxes? Ah, that's perfect. It will keep them nice and dry on the trip home."

He tilted his head, grinning a little more, "Ah, convenient! You don't have too far to go when it's time for work! I actually have living quarters that I can use at my place of employment in case of a late night or bad weather, but I only live a few blocks away from there as well, so I don't use it very often."

He carefully stacks up the boxes, getting them ready to go before sliding on his coat, turning up the collar again. His ears twitch at her comments about him being handsome and how a lot of people must flirt with him. He smiles again, but it doesn't quite reach his eyes. There's a loneliness and a bit of sadness in his gaze.

"You would be surprised. Between my height and the eye patch, not to mention a few other scars that I have covered up today, most people seem to be frightened of me. You though, you just accepted me as I am. You weren't frightened of me or even nervous! You invited me in happily and that really warmed my heart. I'm really looking forward to getting to know you better, Chel, and spending more time with you."

Chel’s heart fluttered. “No… I wasn’t frightened of you, Victor. I may be a mouse, but I don’t scare easily. I get all kinds of customers in my little shop. Wouldn’t be good for business if I were afraid of them.” She smiled, nearly closing her eyes as she did.

At the mention of his scars, and missing eye, her expression softened, but she remained smiling. “I don’t judge attractiveness on appearance alone, Victor. I mean, sure, when you first came in… I thought you were handsome, but um, the way you treated me… your smile… I…”

She blushed heavily. “I know what it’s like to be judged on appearance. To be honest, some customers often treat me as a fragile, weak little girl. It’s infuriating. You didn’t, and I really, really appreciate that.”

She blushed even more as Victor gave her an understanding smile. “All that being said, I’m really looking forward to getting to know you better as well. It’s been, well, six months since I’ve been on a date with anyone, and I can’t wait until Friday.”

She watched as he easily picked up the boxes and left the store. She sighed dreamily, her thoughts betraying her as she imagined him easily picking her up and carrying her. Maybe to her…

She shook her head. “Get a grip, Chel… it’s only dinner.”

‘And maybe dessert back at my place’ She thought again.

“Gah!” She exclaimed. She scurried to the door, and locked it. She flipped the open sign to closed, deciding to close up early.

Two days later, Chel walked up to Andre’s. She had her short hair slicked back, and was wearing a silk black, backless cocktail dress, with matching 3-inch platform high heels. She was also wearing deep purple lip stick, and pink blush, hopefully, to cover any actual blushing she would do.

She stopped in front of the mirrored front window to check her make-up, and to check her dress. “It’s only dinner, Chel…” She told herself. “Just dinner with the hottest guy you’ve ever met.” She adjusted her glasses, gripped her small purse tighter, and walked to the door. The valet, a tall tomcat, smiled and opened it for her.

“Evening Ms. Chelsea.” He greeted her kindly.

“Hello, Charlie.” She greeted with a nod as she walked past him.

The Matre D, Andrea, who was a handsome German Shepard, smiled as she approached him. “Ah, Ms. Chelsea. A pleasure to see you again. Mr. Victor is already here.” He gestured to a table by the same window that she checked herself in.

Her eyes grew wide in horror as she realized that Victor saw what she had done. Possible head what she had muttered to herself in the Window

“By the Nines…” She muttered to herself as she walked over to the table.

“Good evening, Victor…” She greeted him as tAndre pulled out her chair for her, allowing her to sit across from the Zebra. She sat down, and Andre pushed her in. “I like your suit.”

Two days later, Victor arrived at Andre's, pulling up in his convertible with the top down. He always tried to get convertibles because having the top down was the only way he could drive in most cars with either bumping his head into the ceiling or needing to recline the seat so much that it almost felt like he was lying down.

He smiled and stepped out of the vehicle, handing the keys to Charlie and clapping him on the shoulder. The big zebra felt like he was on cloud nine!

Andre smiled as the tall zebra approached. "Ah, Mr. Victor! I see you have a table for two tonight! Did some lucky someone finally catch your eye?"

"Yeah, she seems really wonderful, Andre. I really hope to get to know her better. She's mentioned coming here a few times before, Chel?"

"Oh! Ms. Chelsea! She's really lovely, one of our favourite customers. Well, right this way, please. I have a table close to the front so you will be able to see when she arrives."
After being seated for a few moments and taking a sip of ice water that has been left at the table, his ears twitched a little as he thought he hears Chel's voice outside. He smiled as he saw her take a moment to make sure she looked her best, his heart racing for a moment as he thought she looked absolutely stunning.

He then heard her comment about him being the "hottest guy she's ever met" and felt a blush creep into his cheeks.

As Andre pulled back her chair and she settled down into the chair, she greeted him, "Good evening, Victor. I like your suit."

He smiled in return, "Thank you, Chel. I have to say that dress looks stunning on you…"

Chel's make-up did little to nothing as her whole face lit up like a tomato. “Th-thank you.” She pulled the top of her dress higher, and fell silent as Andre returned with a bottle of 1991 red port.
“Compliments of the house.” He smiled as he set poured a glass for Chel and then Victor. “'l'lI give you both a moment to choose what you want.” He set the bottle door and left.

Chel smiled nervously at Victor. “So. H-here we, um, are.” She bit her lower lip. “So, um, I'm guessing you heard what I said o-outside?”
Victor nodded, a blush playing at his cheeks.

Chel took her wine glass and drained half of it. “By the Nines... I'm so nervous.” She set her glass down, and fanned her face, unknowingly wafting her rose perfume towards Victor. “I don't even know anything about you, or you about me, and here I am, already thinking about going steady with you.”
Victor pushed a glass of ice water towards her. She smiled and took it. “See? This is what I'm talking about. You're so kind and such a gentleman...” She took the water and drained it in several gulps.
“Whew. That's better.” She shook her head. “Victor. I have to make a confession. And please... be as honest with me as you have been. I really, really want to date you. Like, more then one date. However, I need you to know...” She leaned in and held her hand to her mouth, cupping it and whispering. “I may look like a cute girl, but I'm just a cute mouse... boy who identifies as a girl.”

She leaned back and smiled weakly. She saw his eyebrows raise for a second as his eyes flicked to the top of her dress.

“Those are fake. Silicone stick ons.” She sighed. “If you want to leave, I understand. My secret is why I haven't... had a successful date in 6 months. Me and my too honest brain and mouth.”

Victor leans back in his seat a bit, taking another sip of ice water. He takes a moment to process everything he's just been told, from thinking about going steady while barely knowing each other to being a mouse boy. He looks thoughtful for a moment, then leans forwards in his seat.

"Actually, I have to say that I'm flattered, I've never had this kind of effect on anyone before. Like I mentioned before I get a lot more people afraid of me than wanting to date me."
He rubs at his eye patch a little nervously as he knows this needs to be taken delicately. He doesn't want to seem flippant or dismissive, but he doesn't want to act like everything's too big of a deal either.
"As far as not really knowing each other, well I think you've taken a huge step forward with that just now. It was a big risk to reveal something like that out of the blue and I am very impressed with how brave you are to have told me."

He looks over at the mouse, nibbling at her bottom lip nervously as she tries to meet his gaze, but finds it hard, a blush of embarrassment creeping into her cheeks. She's so sure she's about to be rejected again.

"Honestly... That doesn't matter that much to me, boy or girl however you feel comfortable presenting yourself is fine by me." He reaches out to touch the back of her hand, smiling softly."You are beautiful just how you are, and I look forward to us getting to know each other better during our date, and hopefully for many more dates after tonight."

Chel's heart was beating a million miles a minute as Victor responded to confession. It slowed down some as he accepted her identify, but picked up as he took her hand in his. She removed her hand from his and stood up. She walked around the table and stood next to him. She kissed his cheek, leaving behind a purple lip mark on his white fur.

“Thank you for accepting me, Victor.” She smiled sweetly. She went back to her seat and sat down with a happy sigh. “So, I guess I should tell you a little about myself...”

Victor nodded and poured her more wine.

“Well, I'm 25 years old.” Chel said as she sipped her wine. “My full name is Chelsea Brie Risu, and I've work at my bookstore since I was 16.” She sighed. “My Dad was the original owner, and I took over when he, um, passed away 3 years ago.”

Victor's eyebrows raised in surprise.

“It's okay, Victor.” Chel reassured him. “I miss him, but it doesn't hurt as much as it did. Besides, I still have my mom, and my 6 brothers and sisters.” She giggled at his shocked face. “It's okay. They know all about me, and they love me to pieces, since I'm the youngest. They also seem to be accepting of anyone I date.”

“I got the bookstore because I worked there the longest.” Chel also explained. “My mother is a lawyer, and my three brothers work with her in her law firm. My three sisters are from youngest to oldest, are a dentist, a museum curator, and a dentist.” She giggled more. “I have a degree masters degree in ancient literature, and I'm working on my doctorate.”

“So,um...” She began to ask, but stopped as Andre came over.

“Are we ready to order?” He asked kindly.

Chel nodded. “My cheese tortellini, please. With cream sauce.”

Andre nodded. “As per usual. Or course, Ms. Chelsea.” He looked at Victor. “Sir?”

Victor blinked at the kiss, touching his cheek and blushing a deep red under his pale fur. He smiled at her as she sat back down, completely oblivious to the lipstick on his cheek. He poured her more wine and then poured himself a glass as he listened, savoring the slightly sweet flavor.

His ears twitch as he takes in her story, his heart swelling in his chest as he takes in her whole story and mulls it over. The loss of her father, her loving, accepting family, her ambitions. It's been so long since he's put himself out like this that he just doesn't know what to say.

Finally Andre broke the tension by asking for their orders. Chel placed hers while Victor considered his usual order of a porterhouse steak, but didn't want to look greedy on a first date. He instead ordered a ribeye, rare, with a side of grilled brussels sprouts. He thanked their host, then turned back to look into Chel's eyes.

“Oh, well, I suppose it's my turn, huh?”

He takes a deep breath and lets it out slowly, knowing his story is going to be a bit unbelievable. He just hopes she won't think he's crazy.

“Well, I'm 48 years old.” He held his glass of wine in his hands, finding it easier to get through this if he looks into the dark liquid rather than into her eyes. “I was orphaned and mostly grew up in the system, bouncing from one foster home to another. I was never kept for too long because I wasn't a very affectionate child, throwing myself into books and study to escape from my lot in life.”

“Because of this, I excelled in school and graduated early, going on to college studying biology with a focus on macro-biology.” He glanced up at her for a moment before looking back down at his glass, chuckling, “Yes, essentially giant monsters. I met a lovely vixen pursuing similar studies and we started working together. We fell in love, got married, graduated and earned our doctorates together. Even go hired on in the same company, a major pharmaceutical company. Everything seemed perfect.”

He swallowed, his voice getting thick as his eye glistens for a moment. “There was an accident. Safety protocols being ignored, proper checks not being done by the company and there was an explosion. I woke up weeks later in the hospital, scarred and with nobody knowing what long term effects the chemicals and biological substances I had been soaking in might have on my health long term and finding out my wife, Lyanna, was gone.”

“I hired a lawyer and set about essentially suing the company into oblivion. They ended up a bankrupt shell of a company that was snapped up by another, bigger company and closed down. I gained ownership of all of my research and a fairly comfortable life for myself afterwards.”

“Now, I work at Trivial Matters Incorporated in their research and development department, mostly to make some harmless use of my research and to keep my mind occupied. I've gained a reputation around the workplace as an eccentric or a bit of a “mad scientist”, but it's mostly a pleasant place to work.”
Steeling himself, he takes another drink of his wine, a bit more than a sip this time before lifting his gaze to meet hers, ready to be judged again.

Chel couldn't believe what Victor had just told her. He was nearly twice her age. Five years younger than her mother. That he had is doctorate, he had been married, lost his wife, and was seemingly rich.
All of her emotions washed over in a instance. Disbelief, sadness, awe, shock, disbelief. She saw his expression waiting for her to respond. That same expression she had, while she waited for him to judge her.
Honestly, she just wanted to hold him. Hold him and never let him go. Promise him that she would never leave him. But it was too soon. She also didn't want to dismiss his concerns with a hand wave. Him being older than her... was a concern. Trivial, really, but still a concern. Especially with her mother. But they could deal with later. She also couldn't believe that he was married, widowed really, and willing to date her so soon after. She had a few bad break-ups... and she did lose her father... but wow.

“I...” Chel began as she used her napkin to wipe her eyes. She didn't even know she had been crying. “You said I was brave telling you my secret, but... wow. I had no idea...”
“I'm sorry for loss, Victor. I truly am. It's never easy.” She smiled reassuringly at him. “My Father passed from cancer, and I got to say goodbye to him. You never got that chance.” She sighed heavily.
“I don't judge people by their appearances, Victor.” She said simply. “I judge them by how they treat me and how they treat others.” She bit her lower lip. “You being...” She winced, “Widowed, doesn't bother me. You being... well off doesn't matter to me either.”

“The age thing? Well, you certainly don't look you age, if I'm being honest.” She said as she took another sip of wine. “I actually like older guys. And girls. My last girlfriend was actually 10 years older than me.”
She fell silent as Andre served them their food. She smiled courteously at him. “Thank you, Andre.”

He smiled and left.

She looked at her food as if it held the words she was going to say next. “I don't want to lose the chance to date you. Possibly going steady with you. So, no, your age doesn't concern me all that much. That is, if me being young enough to be your daughter doesn't bother you.”

She took a bite of her food and chewed it slowly, swallowing slowly. “Since we're being open with each-other... I can honestly say, all I want to do is hold you and make you happy. As much as and as best as I can.”

As he waited for her response the Zebra felt awkward and out of place. It was like everyone in the restaurant was staring at him, judging him for his story and for dating someone so much younger than himself. It seemed like an eternity waiting to hear her words.

He saw her tears and felt his heart almost break, he never intended to hurt her, to cause her even emotional pain. Listening to her words, he takes everything in until he finally hears her say she wants to hold him.

He blushes a little, smiling, “I.. Feel much the same. I just want to hold you in my arms, squeeze you and tell you that everything will be alright now. There's nothing to worry about any more.”
He finally leans back a little and cuts a piece of steak, chewing thoughtfully as a smile curls the corner of his lips. “So, what should we do next time? A movie? Ice skating? A walk through the park?”
He finished up his meal engaged in pleasant conversation for what felt like hours, laughing and smiling the whole while. His head was spinning with happiness as Andre came back, asking if either of them would like a dessert.

Chel smiled at Andre. “Could we get a large slice of cherry cheesecake, please?” She looked at Victor. “Two forks.”

Andre nodded. “Of course, Madame.”

“I always have the cheesecake.” She explained. “And I like to share.”

Andre quickly returned with the cake, and two forks. He bowed and left.

“A walk through the park sounds lovely. I don't open my store on the weekend, so we can go for one tomorrow, if you want.”

They finished the cake, and Chel waited for Victor to pay for dinner. They left the restaurant, around 11pm. As they left, Chel stretched, and took a deep breath of the cool night air.

She shivered, foolishly forgetting to bring a coat. She stopped shivering as Victor took his suit jacket off, and placed it over her shoulders.
She looked back at the zebra and blushed as she inhaled in his natural musk and cologne. It was simply intoxicating.

She bit her lower lip. “Victor? Would you like to come back to my place? N-not for... naughty things. I just... I've been alone for so long and I want to sleep next to someone.” She looked at her shoes. “I want to be... held.”