ᴍʏ ʙᴜꜱ ʙᴜᴅᴅʏ. [ᴍɪᴄʜᴀᴇʟ ᴊᴀᴄᴋꜱᴏɴ ꜰꜰ]

Ch. 11- Something to Remember.

Starting this chapter, the story will become a bit more mature. Nothing huge, just suggestive themes (specifically in this chapter), depressing themes, and a bit of cuss words.

Everyone sat at the dinner table. Darryl was all smiles as he chatted and laughed with Ophelia's family. He met Aunt Billie and Uncle Dakota, who took an immediate liking to him. Her cousins were all over him, following him and climbing on him. Darryl didn't mind and helped entertain the children while their parents were helping in the kitchen.

The family dog, Aubrey, was chasing them around, wanting to get in on the fun. He was a golden retriever. Darryl mentioned to Ophelia that he was scared of dogs but tried not to mind Aubrey too much. He was a bit more fond of big dogs rather than little dogs. Those ankle-biters frightened him.

They all said a prayer together before eating. Ophelia listened to her family talk to Darryl and ask him questions. Thankfully, they didn't ask anything weird or embarrassing. He seemed completely comfortable now, and that was what she wanted for him. She didn't feel ignored. Ophelia was glad he was engaging with everybody, and they did the same with him. They were both shy at first, but she could tell how easily they brought each other out of their shells.

= = = =

Everybody had left hours ago. Ophelia laid in her childhood bed but was not asleep. The covers were still made, and the pillows perfectly propped up. She wasn't tired, and her mind kept thinking back to the kiss she and Darryl shared.

She didn't regret it, no. She loved it, but what did it mean for them now? They haven't talked about it. She got up and snuck out of her room to the guest room. Ophelia gently knocked on the door. "Come in," she heard on the other side. The girl entered to see Darryl lying down in his pajamas, facing the ceiling. His hands were placed behind his head. He smiled at her. "Hi."

"Hey," she said back. "I thought I'd come to visit you. I'm not tired, but I'm certainly bored." Ophelia sighed.

"Yeah, me too."

"I wanted to talk about what happened earlier," she mentioned. He sat up and shifted himself next to her. "I've been wanting to speak about that, too." He didn't seem ecstatic about it, and that concerned her. Did he want them to just forget it happened? Did he regret it?

Ophelia began to feel doubt push its way into her head. "How do you feel about it?" She asked slowly. He bit his lip, glancing at hers. "I liked it. I've wanted to kiss you for a while."

"Me, too." She cupped his cheek, pulling herself closer to him. "Can I?"

His body twitched slightly in hesitance. She noticed. She didn't mean to pressure him. Disappointed, her hand fell off of his face, and Ophelia made eye contact with the hard floor. She felt Darryl lightly set his hand on hers and looked up at him.

He peered down, smiling softly at her. It was the most meaningful one she'd witnessed. None of his smiles seemed fake, but this one was full of more warmth. He put her hand back on his cheek and leaned down a bit. "Yes," he answered her. There was no rush, as they steadily kissed again. It wasn't the first time she'd kissed someone. But it was the most passionate and loving one she'd ever had. Her other hand traveled behind his head, her fingers twirling in his curls. They kissed deeper, and he hugged her close until they pulled a part.

"I love you," Darryl spoke, shattering the silence. Both of their eyes widen. He looked embarrassed while she grinned widely. "I don't think you meant to say that out loud." She teased. "I didn't, but I do mean it," he confessed. "I love you, too."

They laid down together, and she didn't want to go back to her room. "Have you ever...done more than kissing?" He chuckled, uneasy. "If you're asking what I think you are, yes. Once." Ophelia sat up and leaned on her elbow, interested in what he was saying. "It was a girl I was with a few years ago. I thought we were gonna always be together and get married. We were engaged."

Her eyes almost jumped out of her sockets! Engaged, at 18 years old? "What happened between you guys?"

"She was like my father. A cheater." He spat with pounds of resentment. She had never seen him nearly angry. She patted his back. "I'm sorry."

He nodded at her. "It doesn't matter anymore. I have you, and you're a really special woman, Ophelia. You're so kind. Nicer than my sisters, even." She laughed and thanked him. They kissed again, embracing and feeling each other. They felt it together: desire.

She sat on his stomach as he laid down. Excitedly, she forced her shirt off. He shook under her, and she stopped herself from proceeding forward.

"Am I moving too fast? We don't have to rush anything," She said. The woman didn't want to pressure him into anything he didn't want to do. He massaged her sides and hips. "A little," he giggled. "I can't say I don't want this as much as you do." The man went quiet. "But, are you sure? What about your parents?" She smirked at him. "I think we can risk it." Teasingly, she leaned down and whispered seductively. "You?"

He returned her expression, replying just as sensuously. "I like a little risk here and there."