The Timekeeper

Chapter Twenty-Seven

“Jase!” Isabel screamed as she opened the door, making me jump. “Candice is here!”

She gave me a huge grin before running off down the hall and out of sight, leaving me alone in the doorway. I wasn’t sure if I should just walk inside or wait where I was. Although I was sure Jase and his family wouldn’t have really cared if I just helped myself around their home, it still felt wrong to me. I was spared by making a decision when Jase appeared around the corner; his smile almost as wide as Isabel’s. 

“You know you didn’t have to wait outside,” he laughed as he approached me. “I think Isabel left the door open for a reason.” 

“Well I didn’t want to be rude and just invite myself in,” I smiled before pulling Jase towards me. He seemed surprised by the gesture, but didn’t pull away. His arms slipped behind my back, pulling me even closer towards him. And just like that, my heart had started beating ten times faster. Surely only soul mates could have such an effect on each other, right? 

We still hadn’t really mentioned anything more about my Timekeeper, both choosing to avoid it as if it would just magically return to it’s normal self. It hadn’t though, much to my annoyance and astonishment. I just wanted it to go away, and maybe then I could have a somewhat normal life without being constantly chased down and questioned by crazy news reporters. I couldn’t do anything anymore without catching the attention of one of them. 

Jase must have sensed the drop in my mood, pulling my chin up so I looked into his eyes. I thought he was going to speak, tell me not to stress so much about it just like everyone else had, but instead he pushed his lips to mine. It’s not like his choice of action disappointed me, God no. But it definitely wasn’t what I was expecting him to do, catching me so off guard that I actually flinched back from him, just as his lips touched. He backed up a little, still holding me in his arms, and gave me a quizzical look. 

“What?” he asked, a hint of annoyance in his voice. 

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to. I guess I’ve just got a lot on my mind lately,” I sighed, placing my arms around his neck. 

“Maybe you need something to distract you then,” Jase chuckled, running one of his hands up and down my spine. I shivered, though whether it was due to his touch or the crisp breeze coming from the open door behind me, I couldn’t be sure. 

“Try again, I’ll be ready this time,” I whispered, moving my face closer to his. 

“You ruined my element of surprise. I can’t do it now that you know about it.” I moved ever so slightly closer, knowing that sooner or later, one of us would give in to the temptation of the other’s closeness. 

“I can pretend to be surprised if you really want,” I murmured, my lips now only centimeters from his. 

I wasn’t even sure this was working as I wanted it to, but I was now close enough that I could practically taste his lips, and it was killing me. I didn’t want to be the one to give in though, but if this lasted much longer I wasn’t sure I could hold myself back. Jase didn’t answer; he didn’t need to. He filled the gap between us, causing me to smile beneath his lips. It was as though we were kissing for the first time; sweet, passionate, and breathtaking. I wondered if every kiss felt like this, or if it just depended on the person you were with. Maybe it only felt this way with your soul mate, with the person you were meant to be with. I didn’t know, but I was too focused on the way his mouth felt on mine to really care. 

His lips broke away from mine much too soon, but I realized that there was a reason for it. Isabel stood behind Jase, staring wide-eyed up at us. 

“Mum!” She yelled, in that typical ‘I’m telling on you’ voice that sibling’s used on one another. “Jase and Candice are kissing!” 

Jase and I both laughed, but didn’t bother continuing. The moment had passed and become a lot more awkward with Isabel watching. Breaking apart from Jase’s hold, I closed the front door; glad to rid the cold breeze. We walked down the hall and into the lounge room. The television was switched on to some children’s show Isabel seemed to be really intrigued with, while Kath sat beside her attempting to braid her thick hair.