No backsies

The next morning everyone was still in a state of disbelief over Rebecca and Anthony's engagement, including the couple themselves. As Maria was placing down breakfast for Steve on a foldable table, she said, "I still can't believe the two of them got engaged. When I met them, they weren't even a couple. Is it wedding fever or something. If it isn't someone receiving a proposal, it is someone accepting one."

Steve chuckled and said, "Well you too could have been an engaged woman, but you refused my proposal before I could even get on one knee for you. However, because it is you, I'll still allow you to change your mind even know." Maria squinted her eyes as she gave Steve a glare and said, "Ha. Ha. Nice try. I am fine with being just your girlfriend, thank you very much. I need a trial period with you before I can commit to anything".

Steve didn't seem to agree with this answer and grabbed Maria's hand, before giving it a light tug to make her lose her balance and fall in his arms. When she suddenly lost her footing, Maria's eyes were shut closed as braced herself and then landed on Steve's lap. She slowly opened her eyes and then scolded Steve as soon as she saw that he was fine. She hit his chest as she said, "You idiot! How could you pull me down like that?? What if I had hurt you? What if I had reopened your wounds!? Didn't I tell you before to be careful with that body of yours?? If you aren't, I'll be happy to hurt it for you but then I will do it in my own way and not some nonsense like this!"

But Steve seemed unfazed by her harsh words, even if they came from a place of love and concern. Instead he said, "What did you mean by trial period? Make no mistake, I won't rush you, but I don't plan on letting you leave either. I told you from the very beginning, there is no backsies. You said 'yes' and the only situation I will let you change that in a 'no', is whenever we are considering the next step in our relationship. But either way, I plan on keeping you by my side from now until forever. Regardless of the title you plan on carrying during that time."

While Maria's words hadn't impressed Steve, his words had definitely managed to have an effect on Maria. His possessiveness had caused her to fall silent as she stared at his unwavering eyes. After that brief moment where she had been at a loss for words, she snapped back in her own wat as she was not one to take these things lying down.

In a taunting tone she said, "Oh my, and with what army did you plan on keeping me here?" Making a matching dramatic 1940's type of handgesture. Then she continued in a more daring one as she leaned in and said, "Because if I want to leave, I will leave. One way or another. So, if you want to keep me 'forever' as you say, you won't get there with these kind of empty words. Instead you should hold yourself to the words you said before and treasure me everyday, making sure I have no reason of wanting to leave."

Steve responded to Maria's words with a smirk and a teasing look in his eyes. He then put his hand on her lower back before pulling her in and said, "In that case, let me make it so you can't think of anything at all in a most loving manner". Before Maria could grasp what Steve meant by his words, Steve had pulled her face towards his with his free hand, and planted a kiss on her lips.

Maria started her response with a wide-eyed look on her face, before she succumbed to Steve's passion filled love-bomb and closed her eyes as she put her arms around his neck. He saw this as an opportunity to move the hand that had been on Maria's face to the part of her upper back where her neck began.

Steve's surprise attack had been very successful, because when he finally stopped their kiss, Maria was left with a panted breath and a dazed look in her eyes. Her reaction was making it apparent that there were no other thoughts in her mind in that moment, other than perhaps what they had just done. As she was still seated on his lap, Steve placed a small peck on her lips before looking at her with an amused grin on his face and said, "How was that? Enough 'treasuring' for the moment or do I need to continue to prove my love for you in 'other' ways. My range is limited at the moment, but I am sure we can think of other ways. I for one know that I have more in my arsenal where that came from."

This time Maria understood perfectly well what Steve meant and the double innuendo in his words was not missed either. In a flustered tone she said, "Uhm no, that is quite alright." as she freed herself and got off of his lap. She hurried away towards the kitchen while Steve hid a chuckle behind his closed fist.