Sunkissed Serendipity

Chapter 55

Isla

As the date comes to an end, Julian drives me back to my house. He parks in front of my house, and I look over at him. His eyes find mine instantly, and he gives me a grin, causing me to giggle. I reach over and place my hand on his shoulder, pulling him toward me. He leans forward then, causing our kiss to become easier. I'm adding more pressure to the kiss, but when I realize that he didn't want to do so, I pull away.

I lick my bottom lip, settling back in my seat as I feel a cloud of embarrassment come through. I was not encouraged from doing that, although I could, because I hadn't read this situation well. I sit back in my seat, smacking my lips and saying, "Well, I should get going then."

As I say that, Julian opens the door to his side, and my eyes furrow, trying to figure it out. He hops out of the car, and without hesitation, he walks over to my side, even though it's kind of an inconvenience as I am on the other side of my front door. He opens my door for me, and I feel my heart warm in a way it has never before. I've never had a guy open the door for me, and I knew it had to be the bare minimum. But I wasn't used to it. None of the other guys I've "hung out" with did this.

He holds out a hand for me to get out of the car, and I do so with a grin. As he holds my hand, I squeeze his as I interlace our fingers together. Julian walks me to my front door, and when we get there, he only smiles at me. I thrn toward him, my back to the door, as I grin at him.

Holding our hands out, I say, "Thank you."

"For?" he asks, leaning forward just the slightest bit, curiousity written all over his face. I don't get to answer fast enough before he raises an eyebrow, looking at me as he says, "Because if it's for the date, I won't take it."

I feel myself grow warm, confusion written on my face now as I sputter, "What, why not?"

"My sweet, confused Isla Nova," he whispers, a slow smile on his lips as he takes a step forward. As I stand there in confusion (which he said? ), I look up at him from the lack of distance between us now. He leans down, tucks a piece of my hair behind my ear, and leaves his hand there. I grow warmer with his thumb caressing the spot behind my ear as his eyes shine on mine. Giving me a larger grin, he whispers, "You are worth more than just a date."

"What?" I barely whisper, thoughts honestly disappearing from my mind from how he was looking at me. It knocked the breath out of me, leaving me here, spiraling in front of him. If he didn't have a hand behind my ear, I'd honestly be at a loss.

"Isla," he says my name with a shake of his head, a hint of a smile. "I'm just saying you don't need to thank me for a date because it's the least you deserve." My heart both warms and flinches at the word "least" and how much he emphasizes it with his mouth and the look in his eyes. Running his thumb behind my ear once more, he whispers, "You deserve this. And so much more."

"So?"

He laughs then; the sound is soft, and it rolls down the length of me. He simmers down, lightness still in them as he tugs my face closer. "So you shouldn't thank me. You should just feel happy at the gesture, yes, but don't think it's anything less than what you should be getting from anyone." I cannot say anything to that, never having been used to someone caring about me this much. He smiles anyway at me, and leaning forward, he says, "Yeah?"

My hand goes to the collar of his shirt, and breathless, I say, "Yeah."

"Good," he says with a firm nod, planting his lips on mine. The kiss is slow and steady, just calm, and I lean in to it. I don't pressure it to deepen because I enjoy this anyway. He runs his tongue on my bottom lip and then pulls away slowly. I lick my lip unconsciously, and I watch as his eyes take in the action. He doesn't comment on it though (even as I see a smile smirk playing on his lips) and instead gives me a nod.