“I agree completely,” he says, turning to smile at me. My body flushes in response to his obvious compliment, and I must shift my gaze away before those eyes can ensnare me again.
“Hey, I was wondering if you girls would like to grab a coffee sometime. I’m new to Daytona, and you seem like you could fill me in on how things run around here. You know, give me some tips about teachers, who’s who, places to hang out?” Luke asks as he reaches back to pick up his books from his desk, preparing to leave.
I nod. “Sure.”
Finally, the power of speech has returned even if my voice is still croaky rather than the husky tones I would like. I’m still blushing furiously as our eyes connect again.
“Could I have your cell so I can text later to arrange a time and place to meet,” he asks.
Sounds a bit forward, I think, but the thought doesn’t seem to have made it to the rest of my body as I pull out my phone, unlock it, and pass it to him. I guess actions at this point are easier for me than words.
Luke takes my cell from my shaky hand and quickly types in his details. I’m mesmerized by his nimble long fingers, attached to those large, strong hands, leading to lean, muscled forearms. Veins tracking up those forearms disappearing under the rolled-up sleeve of his dark hooded sweatshirt.
I must stop this fantasizing. I need to get a grip. On me that is, not him. No thinking about gripping him I tell myself.
He calls my number, passes me back my phone, and after a quick goodbye with a promise to reconnect, heads off to his next class.
As soon as he's out the door, Mads turns to me, fanning her face. “Luke is such a hottie and soooo hot for you. I’m absolutely hating on you right now,” she says, grinning.
I roll my eyes. “Don’t be ridiculous,” I say, blushing again. This new habit of blushing uncontrollably is not good.
“Come on, we’re going to be late for our next class,” I say to Madison, trying to refocus on something other than the boy I just met.
One month later and Mads and I have a new friend named Luke Steele. The three of us enjoy hanging out together, not every day but at least a few times a week.
Butterflies took up permanent residence in my stomach the first couple of weeks but lucky for me Mads is not someone who's ever short of something to say. She was the perfect ice breaker.
After school we've become regulars at Starlite Diner, where they serve the best chili cheese fries and shakes. We sit in our favorite booth up the back, laughing and talking as we munch through our fries. Luke still makes me nervous, especially when his unusual eyes lock with mine. But mostly now, I can have a normal conversation with him without blushing and without being completely overwhelmed by his presence. The more time I spend with Luke, the more I like him and the more comfortable I feel talking to him on my own.
Sometimes on warm sunny afternoons we head to Main Street to surf where I get to see him strip down to his boardshorts. Best thing about surfing with Luke is I get to watch the play of muscles across his back as he paddles out beside me. He's new to surfing but seems to be a quick learner. The easiest conversations we share are those ones we have sitting on our boards out past the breakers. I guess being in the ocean has always relaxed me.
Other times we drop by the library to study together, not as physically exciting as seeing Luke in boardshorts but fun still.
Yesterday was one of those days, we were at the library, and Madison was running late, as usual. Luke and I had our books spread open on the table between us and were writing up our English homework when out of nowhere, he asks me on a date. I thought I was imagining what he was saying, daydreaming as I usually do about him. But I wasn’t.
Luke Steele really did ask me on a date. And of course, I accepted at once. I’m more than ready to spend some alone time with Luke, and it’s about time we explored this underlying chemistry which has been there between us since day one.
Tonight, has been amazing.
Our first date and I've loved every second of the last couple of hours spent alone with Luke. He took me down to the local beach for a picnic on the sand. The beach is my happy place, and Luke seemed happy too, sitting on the sand eating Chinese takeout. I suspect Madison may have given him some clues around some of my favorite things.
We talked easily about all sorts of things, school, family, and friends. I learned more about where he grew up, how it’s only him and his mom at home. He told me his dad died last winter, which was pretty sad. He didn’t talk much about his dad but seems genuinely close to his mom.
Sharing more of ourselves in those hours sitting on the sand, watching the waves wash up on the shore has made me feel closer to Luke. We connected on a deeper level. More than the witty banter and flirty chat over the last month. He didn’t kiss me as we sat on the beach. We simply talked and held hands.
But now as we sit in Luke’s car outside my house, at the end of our first date, the nervous excitement I get around him has ratcheted up a level. My stomach is jumping about as I watch Luke walk around the car to open my door. He holds my hand gently as I step out then leads me up the path to my house.
In front of my door, Luke turns me slowly to face him reaching out to take both of my hands in his. I guess he can feel the slight trembling of my fingers against his steady hold. He leans down as if in slow motion, and ever so gently, he touches his lips to mine.
My eyes close and I let myself feel the light barely there, touch. Our breaths mix as my lips open instinctively to him. We tentatively explore and taste each other for the first time. His tongue seeking more intimacy. We move closer together, his arms encircle me.
As Luke’s hand caresses my back gently, the heat of his touch burns through my thin silky top scorching my bare skin beneath.
There is a stirring deep down in the pit of my stomach. It’s not only butterflies, but a deep desire to meld my body to his. I sink further into our first kiss as we continue to stand on my front porch.
Minutes later or maybe longer, I’m not even sure. Time has stopped or sped up. Luke eases his lips from mine. He gazes down into my eyes, and I see reflected in his blue depths the same astonishment I'm feeling.
I boldly break the silence. “Well, that was a little bit amazing. Can we do it again?”
