This is different

Matty's been driving for around half an hour, once we got out of town he lit up one of his pre rolled cigarettes and cranked the window down a little asking me if it was okay and whether I was cold.

It's not my car I thought, but simply said it's fine babe I'm not cold.

We're driving on an open road and I'm trying to guess where we could be going. It's somewhere further out than the pub because I don't even recognise my surroundings. He offers me the smoke next and I take a pull. Feeling familiar with the minty taste.

"You finish it babe" he says doing up his window and now resting his hand on my thigh, other hand on the wheel.

"I feel like I'm gonna have to buy some tobacco, for you I mean mainly. I've had a fair bit of yours now" I tell him.

He laughs, "You buy it now and you will keep buying it babe"

"Plus I don't mind you smoking mine. Just don't get too addicted" he laughs.

I throw the end of the cigarette out the window and he smiles. He's now stroking my thigh, how does he manage that whilst driving. He's in complete control, however him touching me makes me want to jump into his lap. Obviously not going to happen just yet whilst he's driving.

"Hate to be a cliche but are we nearly there yet" I tease him.

"Nope unless you think I would take you to some random field as a surprise" he laughs.

"I'm not a psycho" he jokes. "Honest".

He flashes a smile at me, I'm disarmed once again by how perfect he is. Since I've had some time to process what happened with the clinic and the pills and all of that crap, and since he cared for me and practically put me back together after the whole ordeal.

I look at him now and my feelings for him have only grown. Of course I find him attractive, I always found him attractive who wouldn't? But there is something more there; the fact he's shared with me his secrets, confided in me and told me he loves me. I gaze out of the window at the green trees lining the side of our road. And can't help but think about his green eyes.

"What are you thinking?" he asks glancing my way.

"Im thinking about you, Matty." I say simply.

"Me!? Good things or bad" he asks.

"Oh not good" I tease him smiling.

"I'm joking of course. I was thinking about how things are between us" I say.

"And?" He asks me genuinely. Is that Matty looking vulnerable and nervous?

" Since that night" we both know when I mean.

"And how you cared for me and made sure to give me the time and options. I know I've told you before how much I appreciated it but I feel sure, no I need a better word... I mean emotionally invested in us" I say.

He strokes my leg again clearly reassured.

"I meant what I said, I've never been more sure of anyone in my life. And I'm not just being over the top. Ask me about love months ago and I probably would have laughed it off. I didn't believe in love, I was not going to love anybody ever. And now I'm here babe wanting only you in my bed, wanting to take you places and spend all day with you. Introducing you to my parents" he says temporarily glancing at me before checking the road ahead.

"You know I've never had a girl in my car?" He laughs.

"Apart from my mum or my sister" he says

"You haven't ever taken a girl out?" I ask him

"Nope. Just didn't really see the point or have the motivation. This is different" he tells me.

I smile. This is different.

Eventually the clear roads change into small village lanes. I'm in awe already, it looks like a film set. Taken back in time. Apart from the cars everything seems like it has been kept from a time when life was perhaps a little bit more simple.

"This is a small village that when I was younger my mum visited with my dad, not Steve" he tells me

"I think I must have been about 6 years old and I loved it" he smiles.

I look around, I can see small shops and cafes and new places to explore. I want out of the car.

Matty smiles over at me. Clearly pleased.

After we park up, Matty clasps his hand into mine. We start walking to a small row of shops. They are all local businesses, small places with an artsy look about them. No branded names are anywhere and I love it.

"This one" he says pointing and directing me to one of the shopfronts.

As we enter I realise why he chose this one first. He must have seen me looking at all of the interesting pictures and paintings wherever we have been. It's not so much a shop but a gallery. It's not pretentious either. The walls are white and the real decoration comes from the artwork.

Instantly I am in awe of a print of a small child painted in an autumn landscape. The brown, yellows and blues. The wild flowers and innocence of a young child with brunette curls playing in the grass.

The owners briefly smile at us gawking at the art and leave us quietly to have a look around.

There are several rooms, each showcasing pieces of work from talented painters and sculptures.

There is even an outside garden space between two of the rooms. The space is filled with roses and flowers and it reminds me of where we went on our first date. I look up at him, he smiles.

"I won't pick one of these flowers babe don't worry" he laughs

I kiss him on his lips. I never realised I was an emotional person until I met Matty. I feel like my heart is bursting and I'm about to ball my eyes out in the best happy way. He has that effect on me.

Once we tour the place Matty goes into the artists shop where he looks at the fancy pencils and paints. I love watching him in his element, looking at the canvases and choosing what he wants. After buying some supplies I presume for uni we head out.

"That was incredible I've never been to a place so full of creative things, that print of the child" I begin.

I look over at him and his face is lit up.

"It spoke to me, I'm not pretentious honest" I laugh.

"It was beautiful. I loved it Matty, I'm guessing you saw me gawking at all of the art in the pub" I say.

"Yes and in the restaurant with my mum" he smiles.

"But that's not it babe there's more places I need to show you" he says lighting up a smoke as we walk to our next unknown destination.