Good night, Alicia

Chapter Ten

I wanted more. Much more than the timid kiss he had offered and I didn't fully know why. It was as though my body had a mind of its own and I couldn't do anything about it.

I reached for his hand and intertwined my finger with his, the heat spreading from our touch all the way to my arms and chest.

"Why did you bring me out here?" I heard myself ask and my cousin looked at me for what seemed like forever. His thumb rubbing my sensitive skin.

"Why did you follow me?" He smiled and brought our intertwined finger to his lips.

"You know why." I said, my breathing getting thick and unsteady.

"For someone who is so bent on finding answers you sure don't offer many." His smile broadened and his already dark eyes darkened even more.

It's comparison was not fair. I didn't have anything to hide like he did. I honestly couldn't explain my actions since the day he had kissed my shoulder in the porch.

"Maybe I'm here because... I want to figure out what this is." I allowed my subconscious to answer for me. Keeping secrets was only going to make him stop and I didn't want him to stop.

"You are engaged, Alicia." He reminded me and I knew he could've have cared less for my engagement but I could sense this was his way of sobering me up before he allowed himself to go further. I should be considering putting in risk my future plans by coming out here with him, but that part of my brain - the rational one retreated while his lips were on my skin like that.

"Does that bother you?" I pressed a finger inside his mouth and he bit it.

"What do you think?" He raised an eyebrow at me and his face went somber.

"Does it bother you enough to ..." I could bring myself to say it.

"To continue what we've started?" I hoped he didn't finish my sentence, but I was glad he was no longer shielding himself behind the smooth facade I had gotten so used to without realizing.

"Yes."

"The only thing that would stop me is you. If you ask me to stop then I would go back to being the guy you are used to." He dropped both our hands down and placed a his free hand on my waist.

Could we go back to being just cousins? Friends? Could I go back to blissful ignorance?

"Do you want that?" He pulled me to him and I shook my head since words were no longer forming on my tongue with his closeness.

I pressed a hand on his chest to discover his heart was beating just as fast as mine.

"Okay, then." His mouth lowered to the hollow of my neck and he kissed the skin there, sending shivers down my body. My fingers slipped in the abundance of his blonde curls and scratch his scalp softly.

He slid his finger under my blouse, his fingertips grazing the tender skin in my ribs as his lips traveled upwards to my ear.

"We can't get caught, Alicia. Not by them." He warned before his hand reached my bra.

"I know." I whispered and pushed his face down to meet mine, my lips joining his in a ragged, impatient kiss.