Temporary Kisses || Van Palmer

Chapter Five || Bottle

For a brief moment, I let my gaze linger on Tai, my thoughts drifting as I try to decipher the situation. However, my attention quickly shifts back to Van, who's caught in an intense staring match with Taissa. I can practically feel the tension in the air as my eyes move between the two of them, curious to see where this is going.

As the silence hangs heavy, my mind races, attempting to make sense of the unspoken dynamics at play. Why is Van so angry? What exactly is happening here? Before I can fully process it, Tai's voice breaks the silence, jolting me back to the present. "You going to kiss me then?" She says, sitting forward in her seat. "I'm not doing this," I assert, a hint of frustration in my tone.

Tai's response comes swift, pushing me with a challenge. "Come on, don't be a pussy," she prods, her words laced with a mix of encouragement and mockery. And then, she goes a step further, throwing a verbal jab my way. "It's not like you and Van are actually dating," she quips, a grin forming on her lips.

My eyes widen slightly at her comment, caught off guard by the revelation. How does Tai know that? My mind races, but before I can process this newfound knowledge, Van's voice cuts through the air, her tone sharp and defiant. "We are," she retorts, her voice carrying a surprising level of conviction.

Tai doesn't miss a beat, her response biting as she counters Van's statement. "Then how come you guys haven't kissed?" she throws out, the words hanging in the air like an unspoken challenge. The room seems to shrink, the tension between them palpable as I find myself at the epicenter of this unexpected exchange.

"Because we have a private rel-" Van's response is seemingly cut off before she can even finish her sentence. My attention snaps back to her as I pivot to face her, anticipation and curiosity both racing through my mind. What was she about to say? But before I can voice my question, everything changes in an instant.

My hand instinctively reaches out, gripping Van's jaw as I draw her closer, a surge of determination pulsating within me. And then, it happens—the meeting of our lips in a kiss that's as unexpected as it is intense. A jolt courses through me, a whirlwind of emotions spinning in my chest.

Wait, what am I doing? This wasn't the plan. It was just meant to be a point to prove to Taissa, a playful jab to silence her words. But oh, the sensation that courses through my body as our lips connect—it's electrifying, igniting something deep within. I'm suddenly aware of every detail—the softness of Van's lips against mine, the warmth that spreads through me, and the tingling sensation that seems to radiate outward.

My thoughts scatter as the kiss deepens, a force of its own, carrying with it an inexplicable surge of desire that catches me off guard. My stomach churns with a sensation I can't quite put into words. It's like a mix of anticipation, excitement, and something else entirely that's pooling low in my abdomen.

And then, there's the realization—the sudden awareness of Van's touch, her hand finding its way to my waist. The pressure of her fingers against my skin sends a shockwave through me, shivers trailing along my spine. And as if that wasn't enough, her other hand intertwines in my hair, sending tendrils of sensation cascading through my body.

My heart races, my mind struggling to keep up with the intensity of the moment. What was initially meant to be a mere response has morphed into something so much more. A mix of exhilaration and confusion clouds my thoughts, each second feeling like an eternity as our lips remain locked.

But as quickly as it began, the kiss comes to an end, leaving me both breathless and reeling. My mind races to process what just transpired, a torrent of emotions and sensations flooding my senses.

My eyes flicker upwards, capturing the sight of Van's flushed face. A quick internal assessment tells me that I'm probably sporting a similar shade of red. The tension in the room feels palpable, like an unexpected storm on the horizon.

As my gaze shifts to Taissa, I can't help but feel like I've been thrust into the middle of a drama that I'm not fully equipped to handle. The question I pose carries a mixture of curiosity and a dash of defensiveness. "What were you saying about me and Van not actually dating?"

"Are you jealous that I get to date her and you don't?"

Taissa stays quiet.

"Well, boohoo, sweet cheeks," I say, the words punctuated with a raw determination. "She's mine, and I'll make that known to you or anyone else who tries to intervene," I assert.

The charged atmosphere continues to crackle as my words cut through the air, a stern reminder that our relationship is a personal matter. The emotions in the room are running high, and it's all I can do to keep up with the whirlwind of feelings. And then, the sudden slam of hands against the table reverberates like a shockwave, causing a bottle to topple and crash to the floor. Taissa's exit is swift, her stormy departure a clear indication of the tumultuous emotions that have been stirred.

My gaze drifts back to Van, whose red face is a testament to the intensity of the situation. Despite the charged air, I let out a small, almost nervous laugh. It's a moment of shared relief, a way to diffuse the tension that still hangs in the air like a tangible presence. The question I pose is simple, a genuine inquiry into her well-being. "You okay?" I ask gently, my fingers instinctively tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. Her response is a quiet hum, accompanied by the subtlest of nods.