He becomes paralyzed. Then tries to pull away.
I hold him tighter. “I was once rejected six times in a row from the same guy.” I can tell he has questions from his inhale. “It’s been hard figuring out feelings when I’ve been gaslit at a young age into thinking mine weren’t real.”
I keep Dean less than arm’s length away when I let him look at me.
He watches me with an orphic look.Is he pissed?
“Dean?”
His mouth is set in a hard line. “Make your wish, Nova.”
Shivers run up my spine.
I’m trembling from head to toe. My heart rapidly paces, I grab the lantern from Dean and place it on the ground.
He watches me.
I’m quick to write, quick to light up the lantern, and even quicker at making it float to the sky.
The lantern’s barely in the air when Dean grabs my arm and in a single motion, turns me around.
His dark gaze pierces mine. “Your wish is my command.”
Dean doesn’t give me a second to reply before his lips come crashing down onto mine.
CHAPTER 25
It’s invigorating. How easily he’s able to take the lead and move his lips against mine. It’s better when I let him move both of us. The kiss electrifies every curve in my body, the feel of him against me pulses with each moment, and when he moves his hand from my arm to cup my face, it’s the feeling of my hair lovingly brushed.
Dean Vuk is one hell of a kisser.
This is nothing like my first kiss. There is no awkward clash of noses or the bumping of heads. It’s scenic, romantic, and desperate. I hold onto Dean and follow his lead. When I try to take over, try to perform with minimal practice, he doesn’t let me. I allow it. This moment of broken patience. It cracks beneath the surface of our lips, leaving heat, passion, and a gooey, soft consistency I can’t put a label on just yet.
Dean slips his hand around my neck, pulling me closer than I already am. I find his chest, his heartbeat, and when he whispers my name against our electric touch, I come undone.
I’ve been kissed a couple of times in my life. But none of them prepared me for the havoc of Dean Vuk.
No amount of studying could prepare my heart from dividing in a thousand fluffy clouds covered with his face.
We pull apart for air.
Dean rests his forehead to mine, eyes closed, breathing matching my own.
Inexplicable, this feeling. Whatever it is between us.
“How did I live this long without doing that?” It comes out raggedy. A question he’s asking himself.
“The same way I survived without it,” I reply with a quick, lingering peck. “It feels like I’ve been in a coma until now.” Giddy.
I’m buzzing with energy. It’s like when you open a can of pop and the carbonation sizzles.
“Did you,” I look up. I should be paying attention, staring at the dozen lanterns with stars in my eyes, but all along my bucket list item should’ve been…
Dean looks directly at me, the pinkish nude lipstick tainting his pouty lips. It’s predatory.
“By chance, did you practice how to do that?”
Kissing like he could never stop kissing me.
