Chapter Seventeen #2
Of all the times I imagined kissing a boy, I had no idea it would be like that. His lips were so soft but firm and guided my timid ones until we found the perfect rhythm. He stroked my face and rubbed my back, all while whispering how long he’d wanted to do this.
It’s never felt like this before. I remember him whispering against my neck just before he dragged his lips over my cheek back to my lips.
I’m out of bed and rush into the bathroom to wash my face and brush my teeth, anxious to talk to Wild and figure out what all of this means.
I’ve been sleeping with my hair in two braids lately to give it some natural wave and stop me from using my flat iron so much, but Wild spent most of the night with his hands in it, so it’s definitely more messy than usual.
I take them out and brush it a few times before pulling it into a low ponytail.
I contemplate putting on some makeup because I am suddenly very aware that I live with the boy I kissed last night, and he’s down-freaking-stairs.
But I just put on some lip balm because my lips are still very chapped, and I don’t want Sara asking why I have makeup on at nine in the morning.
I hear voices in the kitchen, meaning that Sara and Wild are both awake. It’s Saturday, so Sara has a morning Pilates class, and then will probably have lunch with Elana. Feelings of excitement move through me like fireworks, knowing that Sebastian and I will be alone today.
I make my way downstairs, and sure enough, I see Sara dressed for her workout class, filling up her water bottle. Wild sits at the table eating a bowl of cereal, and his eyes immediately find mine when I enter the room. A smirk pulls at his lips just for a moment before he turns back to eating.
“Morning!” Sara chirps as she tightens the lid on her bottle. “Sleep okay?”
“Yeah, really good.” I glance over at Wild, and though he’s staring down at his food, I can see the smile still playing on his lips.
“Oh, good. So I’m headed out for my class. What are you doing today?”
Visions of what I want to do move across my mind, and for a second, I panic, like Sara could possibly read my thoughts.
“I have to study. I have a geometry test on Monday.” I don’t know why I say that.
It’s true, I do have a test, but I’m really good at geometry and probably don’t even need to crack my textbook to get an A.
“Well, I’ll be back in a bit. Sebastian,” she points at him, “rake the leaves, please,” she says before dragging her gaze toward the outside window.
“I got it,” he says through a mouthful of Cheerios, my favorite cereal that he used to complain about when Sara started buying that over the pure sugar cereal he used to eat. But now, it’s obvious that he secretly loves it too.
“Alright.” She hesitates for a second, eyeing us curiously before she shakes her head. “Be good, you two,” she adds, and then she’s out the door.
Years later, I realized that the hesitation stemmed from the fact that this was the first time she had felt wary about leaving us alone.
I don’t think she realized that’s what she was feeling at the time, either.
There are faint sounds of Sara locking the front door, then her car starting in the driveway. I stare out the window of the kitchen that faces our driveway and watch as Elana scurries out of the house next door and gets in the car with Sara before they pull off.
I turn around as soon as they’re fully out of the driveway and look at Wild, who was clearly waiting for me to face him because he’s leaning back in his chair with his arms folded and a smile on his face.
“Hey,” I say, and I internally roll my eyes because I couldn’t have come up with anything better than that?
“Hey.” He chuckles, and instantly, my cheeks heat.
I rub my lips together, my mind still thinking about how it felt to press them to his.
“You, okay?” he asks, and I wonder if he’s taking my nervousness for something else entirely.
I nod, not knowing what to say, which is weird because I’ve never been shy around him ever.
“Talk to me,” he says. “Are you upset about last night?”
“No!” I exclaim, the word bursting out of me. “I just…” I look off to the side as my fingers knot together in front of me. “Want to do it again?” I offer weakly.
He gets out of his chair and moves across the kitchen toward me. He frames my face with his hands, reminiscent of how he did it last night before brushing his lips gently across mine. “Me too.”
“Does this… make you my boyfriend?” I ask.
He gives me a side smile and leans against the sink while crossing his arms over his chest. “Do you want me to be?”
“I don’t know… I guess I’m wondering if… you’re going to kiss other girls?”
He rubs his thumb over my bottom lip once, and I watch as he lets his hand drop.
My lip tingles in his wake, and I wish he’d do that again.
“Saint, look at me,” he says softly, and I look up to meet his blue eyes.
“You’re the only girl I’ve ever wanted to kiss.
I’d kiss you for the rest of my life if I could. ”
My eyes flutter open in response to the wheels hitting the ground, and I blink a few times, trying to shake the last bit of grogginess away.
I hadn’t told Wild I was going to sleep, though he probably assumed, as I usually sleep on flights when I’m alone.
I pull out my phone, which I never even put on Wi-Fi, and see my texts from the flight.
Wild: I made a reservation for Friday at this Italian restaurant that just opened. Actually, there are a lot of places I want to take you. Can you move here already?
Wild: You must already be asleep.
Wild: Boarding my flight now. I love you
I start typing to respond to his messages.
Me: Sounds great. You know I love Italian. And we decided I’m moving there? Officially?
Wild: There’s Sleeping Beauty. Did you have a nice nap?
Me: I did. How’s your flight so far?
Wild: Fine. Wishing it was going the same way the last one went when you came all over my fingers.
Me: Maybe I’ll come all over mine when I get home and send you a video.
Wild: Are you trying to make me hard?
Me: Always *kissy face*
Wild: To answer your question, no, we didn’t decide that. I’m just ready for us to be living in the same state again.
Me: I’m not against the idea of moving there if that’s where you want to be.
Wild: I want to be anywhere you are.