Heartstrings

Chapter 16: Dawn

Jake's Perspective

In a split second, Emma's plump lips crashed onto mine, kissing me for all the stars and heavens to see. Her lips were wet and tasted sweet from the peach she'd just been eating, and I couldn't help but let a satisfied hum escape.

My heart fluttered as she kissed me back just as desperately as I kissed her - it was as if we'd been starved of each other. And all of the angst and tension - all the tears, confusion and stolen glances that had been building over the course of two months finally combusted between us.

Her hands cupped my face and my mind buzzed, still stunned by her bold gesture and the passion with which she was kissing me. One of my hands combed its way into her hair while the other moved to her waist, pulling her close. Her breath hitched against my mouth as I eliminated the space between us and teased her soft bottom lip with a playful bite. She parted her lips in response as I deepened the kiss, allowing our tongues to dance. 

I felt her hands dropped to my chest and I bit her lip again, earning the sexiest little moan from her as we got more and more carried away with each other. I've never been so aroused in my life - between Emma's confidence and how fucking right the kiss felt, I was completely enraptured.

When our lips finally slowed and parted, we leaned our foreheads together and gazed right into each other's eyes. The gravity of the moment dawned on me - I'd just fulfilled my ultimate childhood dream... and it had been everything I'd wanted and more.

- Does that answer your question?

We both giggled as my hand found hers, and I watched our fingers as they intertwined.

- Not at ALL... I think you're gonna have to kiss me like that again.

- Oh hush.

I watched as her cheeks turned a bright rosy color that I could see even in the firelight, and a smile spread across my face. I picked up her hand, which was still folded in my own and kissed it as I stared deeply into her eyes -

- So... we're really doing this?

- Yes, we're really doing this... but on one condition.

- And what's that?

- Tell me how the hell you got butterflies into my locker.

I laughed heartily.

- Wait... that's it? Come on Emma. We're gonna work on your negotiation skills.

She shot me a deadpan look that turned into a smug scoff-

- Fine. If you don't want to tell me I guess we won't d-

- Nah nah nah. Now don't get it twisted. I'll still tell you.

She looked at me expectantly and a plan hatched in my head.

- Actually... I have a better idea. How bout I show you? Tomorrow's Saturday... Sam's on bed rest and my dad's out of town.

Her eyebrows raised in interest as she contemplated my offer.

- Okay... fine.

I chuckled and pinched her waist lightly to make her laugh.

- You're a tough cookie, huh?

- I'm yours to crack.

I leaned forward and kissed her on the cheek - funny enough, even a small gesture like that caused butterflies to erupt in my stomach. I smiled and laid back into the hammock we'd been sitting on.

Emma looked at me for a second before joining - she curled up with her head on my chest and arm wrapped over my stomach. Surely she could hear the quickening thumpa thumpa thumpa of my heart as that familiar warm feeling of total comfort and safety crept its way into my soul. Somehow it felt as if we'd done this a thousand times before. Emma looked up at me as if she could read my thoughts -