Page 26 of Written in the Stars
Zander chuckles. “In that case, you may never get her back.”
* * *
Dinner was really nice. The place was sparkling in a candlelit setting, and the music playing in the background was a soft, soothing tone. We easily fell into a steady conversation, and it felt as though we had known each other for much longer than we actually had. I was also pleasantly surprised to find out that we shared a lot of the same interests.
Apparently, Zander is a big fan of photography and art, just like me. I would have never known or even guessed it. But aside from the easy conversation and pleasant vibe we have with one another, there’s also something mysterious about him that is driving me insane. It’s like I want to know what his secrets are because I can tell by the look in his eyes that he certainly has them. He definitely has something inside he’s not letting on just yet, and I respect that. I know this is all new, but it’s making me want to ask more and more about him.
After dining, as promised, Zander and I take a nice, long walk. It isn’t a typically chilly night, but it’s cool enough to feel the fresh air. I’m thankful it didn’t snow as much as it was supposed to; only a delicate dusting covers the ground. If any more would fall, it certainly would mess up our plans; I’m so glad they haven’t been ruined.
We take a seat on a bench facing an old-fashioned bridge where another couple is currently looking into one another’s eyes. The glow of the moon reflects off the pond just below. The bare branches of the trees with only a slim coating of snow give the entire scene a fairly romantic vibe. It’s all so pretty, and this night is turning out to be more and more perfect as the evening wears on.
“So how long have you been in Glimerton?” Zander finally asks, breaking the silence after a few moments of us sitting on the bench.
“Not long at all.” I take a deep breath and then dive into the part that I’ve been cautiously avoiding all evening. But something about Zander makes it easy to talk to him. Something about his demeanor lets me know I can tell him just about anything. I decide to take the plunge. The worst that will happen is that he’ll take off and ditch me. Not exactly what I’m hoping for, but at least he’ll know who and what he’s dealing with when he’s out here with me. I’ll just be careful about it and not spill it all right now. “I ran away from my old life and came to spend some time with Lissa. I needed to get away,” I answer, giving the tiniest bit of information possible. I want to be truthful with him, but I sure as hell don’t want to scare him off.
“Bad relationship?”
Yep. He guessed it all right. I guess I might as well tell him now. “You could say that. My fiancé was cheating on me; I walked in on him a month before our wedding,” I say.
He cringes. “Ouch. I’m sorry.”
“It’s okay. You live and learn,” I respond, shrugging.
“It still had to sting, though.”
I nod. “Oh, yeah. It definitely stung, and I had sworn off the whole male species for a while.”
“What made you change your mind?” he asks, slightly grinning at me.
Dare I tell him? Sure, Lissa pushed me, but I wonder if she hadn’t. Would I have said yes on my own once he’d ask? I have the feeling I might have said yes to him asking me out without her shoving me.
He’s so handsome, and I wish I could have the courage to tell him. I want to let him know that I’ve had a major crush on him ever since the moment I laid my eyes on him.
Is that what this is, though? A crush? It has to be. I can’t get my mind off him.
I can’t help but smile back at him. Sitting right here with him makes me turn so stupid, as if I can’t think of anything else to say next. Even so, I try. “You asked me out, and I wanted to give you a chance,” I blurt out, immediately hating the words as they leave my lips. I’m nervous, and the way he’s staring at me isn’t helping my nerves one bit.
“Oh, yeah? You mean, it wasn’t my irresistible charm that got to you, not letting you say no?” he asks as he slowly closes the gap between us.
I can’t help myself as I follow suit and begin leaning in closer to him as well.
“That might have had a little something to do with it too,” I whisper softly, and our lips ultimately met.
Oh my God. Oh, my fucking God! His lips on mine feel so damn good and all I want to do is continue kissing him for the rest of the night. Damn, he’s got some nice lips.
We keep kissing, getting acquainted with one another’s lips, and I’m loving every single second of it. I didn’t remember liking to kiss this much. Gradually, he deepens the kiss by opening his mouth further, silently asking permission to be let in. I don’t deny him and, in fact, welcome the taste of him. The warm feel of his tongue wrapped around mine makes me want more and more of him. I want his touch, and I want it now.
Nevertheless, this is only our first date and our first kiss. Yet, I can’t control myself from wanting more. Maybe, if things continue going well, we can go out again. Who knows what this can turn into.
All I know right now is that I’m enjoying spending time with him, and I sure as hell am loving the way his soft lips feel against mine. Damn, do I love them.
Our first kiss is magical and the best one I’ve ever had in all my life. This is going to be a night I will never come to forget.
