Chapter 52 Owen
W e leave the house to find a gentle snow falling. The light from the street lamps add a little sparkle as they descend giving us our own little winter wonderland. She wraps her hand around my arm and we walk down the slightly icy sidewalk in a relaxed silence for the rest of their block.
“It’s so pretty tonight,” she whispers.
“Are you thinking of ways you could capture this with your camera?”
She looks up at me and lets out a little huff. “I am now.”
Before she can tilt her head down again, I catch her chin with my gloved hand and nudge her nose with mine, chuckling. “I guess I’m starting to see things differently now that we’re together.”
“What do you mean?” She pulls back just a little so she can see me better.
“Every now and then, something catches my eye and I think about the fact that you could capture it. The snow tonight is a good example, but the other night at Brandon and Andi’s house, I had the same thought when I saw their icicles.”
“I noticed them too. They were so lovely.” Her eyes light up just remembering them. “And they made you think of me?”
“Anything beautiful makes me think of you.”
She shakes her head slightly but can’t hide the blush from my words. I duck down enough to kiss her and she gives a little sound of surprise before it morphs into a contented sigh. Her lips feel so damn perfect against mine.
My hand moves to the back of her hood so I can deepen the kiss. We’ve kissed in front of our families and friends a few times and even stole a few deeper kisses when we had a moment to ourselves these past few days. But I’ve been dying to be alone with her. I crave her touch when we’re apart and the harder I fall for her, the more it hurts to be away from her.
We might be outside, but no one else is walking or driving around here right now, so I let myself relax and savor this connection. My tongue touches her lips and they part instantly. Her slick tongue glides against mine, eliciting a groan from me. When she hears that, she tries to clasp her hands behind my neck, finding it harder to grasp them with her big mittens on. Even bundled up in all of her layers, I can still smell her sweet perfume and it makes me yearn for the privacy of one of our bedrooms so I can properly show her everything I’m feeling.
I want this .
I want her .
Our puffy jackets do nothing to take the edge off the desire that’s been growing between us as we try to press closer together. I tighten my arm around her waist, bringing her as flush against me as our outerwear allows, feeling perilously close to unzipping our jackets just to feel how her body molds itself to mine. To let my fingers roam under her clothes in all the places that make her gasp and shiver. I put all of those wants into these kisses, devouring each little sound she makes.
Suddenly, I can’t keep putting it off, waiting for that right moment. Wrenching my lips away from hers, I whisper her name like a prayer. Our heavy breaths are visible in the cold air even as my body feels more alive than ever. Her gaze is heavy with emotion while she looks up at me.
“I know we’ve seen each other every day since break, but I miss you.” My forehead rests on hers as I close my eyes and feel her here with me. “I miss holding you at night, and kissing you first thing when we wake up.”
“I have terrible morning breath,” she whispers.
“Oh, I’m well aware of that and it’s still what I want.” Pulling off my gloves, I cup her cheeks, needing her to feel this connection that has hit me like a freight train since we met last summer. To know how real this is for me. “Poppy, I love you.”
A smile so beautiful and bright appears as a tear falls down her cheek.
“I hope it’s not too much of a surprise or just…too much to say,” I add.
“Not too much,” she whispers, her words choked up with emotion. She shakes her mittens in adorably frantic motions, which make me smile, until they fall off and she can place her hands on my cheeks.
“Owen,” she begins, her eyes searching mine. “I love you too.”
My heart somehow feels like it’s doubled in size hearing her say those words to me. She’s absolutely perfect.
Rising up on her toes, she kisses me softly. When we pull apart, we’re fighting against smiles that we can’t seem to hold back until we’re both laughing.
“Please tell me you’re staying over tomorrow night after my parents leave.”
She nods and a coy smirk appears. “Be sure to have extra treats for Samson’s toys because I plan to have your bedroom door shut for a while.”
“How can I say no to that?”