Stronger Together (bxb) ✔

Chapter 36 - Chase

Chase’s POV 

As if in a trance, my face inches closer to Diego's. I can see the pores on his face and even those are perfect. Diego's breathing hitches as he no doubt can feel my breath fanning across his face. Other than that he remains completely still. The smell of sweet mocha latte mixed with a hint of manly musk drifts up into my nose, further scrambling my already incoherent thoughts. 

I move even closer and just as I'm about to connect our lips my hand collides with the decorative paper of the bouquet bringing me crashing back to reality. I gasp and hastily retreat. Was I really going to kiss Diego! Why did he have to close his eyes and give me full access! 

I glare at Diego, who still hasn't opened his eyes. Why is he so hot! Why is he making me want to kiss his stupid lips! I'm not ready for any of this! 

"Why did you close your eyes?” I ask and I flinch at my harsh, irritated tone of voice. 

Diego lets out a nervous chuckle, still keeping his eyes closed. “So you could stare at me without glancing away whenever I catch you. You seemed like you really wanted to check me out, I'm sorry if I misinterpreted that. Can I open my eyes now?”

I understand that he was just trying to be considerate of what I wanted but I'm still upset with him for some reason. I feel like I was tricked into wanting to kiss him. "No."

Diego rubs the back of his neck awkwardly. "Okay. I'm really sorry if I upset you, Chase. I won't do anything like this again," Diego replies.

I sigh and bite the inside of my cheek. I don't know how to decipher my feelings. My body wants Diego and seems to already trust him but my mind is still playing catch up. I'm still worried about getting hurt. I can't deal with another betrayal. 

Why am I such a mess! 

I like that Diego is flirty and that he was considerate enough to let me stare at him without having to worry about getting caught. But I can't help the hesitation that I'm feeling; the tiny hint of doubt telling me that once I kiss him and change the nature of our relationship, all he'll want is sex and I'm definitely not ready for that.

My eyes drift back to the beautiful man in front of me who obediently hasn't opened his eyes and I involuntarily smile. "You didn't do anything wrong. I overreacted and I'm really sorry about that." 

The soft smile instantly returns to Diego's face, causing my smile to widen. "It's okay, little lamb." 

I want to tell him that I like him and me not kissing him has nothing to do with the undeniable attraction I feel towards him but the words get stuck in my throat. I want to ask him to be patient and to let me take things as slow or as fast as I want to but I know that's not fair to him. 

"I can't see you so I don't know what's happening but I already told you I have a lot of patience and that you can ask me out if or when you're ready. I haven't changed my mind about that and don't worry, I don't think there's anything you can do to scare me off. Unless of course you really don't want me to show interest?" A warm fuzzy feeling spreads over me at Diego's mini monologue.

"Wow how dumb would I look if Chase isn't here and I'm just talking to myself," Diego mumbles and pouts after not hearing a response to his question. 

I giggle and pick back up my half eaten pack of M&Ms, popping one into my mouth. "You're so cute when you pout!" This time I'm saying it deliberately because he really is cute when he pouts but also because I do want him to keep showing interest, though I can't bring myself to say it directly. 

The smile that graces Diego's face at my words is bright enough to light up the whole world. "Can I please open my eyes?" Diego whines and I giggle and nod before I realize that he can't see me.