Choice of Love

Chapter 7: The First Step

The wind was cold that evening, a biting chill that seemed to cut through the layers of guilt and uncertainty I'd been carrying for weeks. But for once, I didn't feel heavy—I felt light. I felt free. It had been hours since Ethan stormed off, leaving me standing alone, but I knew there was no going back. I had made my choice, and even though the consequences were harsh, there was a strange peace that came with the decision.

That peace came with Jason.

I stared at my phone, the message I'd typed out still unsent: "Can I see you tonight?"

The words hovered in front of me, brimming with possibility. I wasn't sure what tonight would mean, but I knew I needed to be with him, to feel that closeness I had always pushed away.

Before I could overthink it, I hit send.

It didn't take long for Jason to respond: "Of course. My place?"

I felt my heart skip, my fingers trembling as I typed: "I'll be there in twenty."

As I grabbed my jacket and keys, the nerves began to set in. This wasn't just about seeing Jason—it was about what I was leaving behind, the tension with Ethan, and the mess I still needed to sort through. But all of that could wait. Right now, I just wanted to be with Jason.

The walk to his apartment felt longer than usual, each step heavy with anticipation. By the time I reached his door, my hands were cold from both the weather and nerves.

I knocked softly, and within seconds, Jason opened the door. He smiled, that same warm smile that made my chest tighten in a good way.

"Hey," he said, his voice soft, as if sensing the gravity of the moment.

"Hey," I replied, my voice barely above a whisper.

Jason stepped aside, letting me in. The warmth of his apartment enveloped me immediately, and I shrugged off my jacket, feeling the tension ease from my shoulders. The place was familiar—dim lighting, the scent of his cologne lingering in the air—but tonight, everything felt different.

"You okay?" Jason asked, his green eyes searching mine.

I nodded, trying to calm my racing heart. "Yeah. Just... a lot happened today."

He motioned for me to sit down on the couch, and I did, sinking into the cushions as he joined me, sitting close enough that our knees touched. His presence was comforting, a stark contrast to the turmoil I'd just walked away from.

"What happened?" he asked gently, his hand brushing against mine.

I swallowed, unsure where to start. "Ethan... found out about us. I told him how I felt."

Jason's expression tightened slightly, his brow furrowing. "And?"

"And he's furious," I admitted, my voice trembling. "He stormed off. I don't know what's going to happen next."

Jason's hand found mine, and he squeezed it gently. "I'm sorry, Lesley. I didn't want to make things harder for you."

"It's not your fault," I said quickly, shaking my head. "This... this was inevitable. I couldn't keep pretending that everything was fine with Ethan."

Jason was silent for a moment, his thumb gently rubbing circles on the back of my hand. "What about us?" he asked softly.

I turned to him, meeting his gaze. There was something in his eyes—hope, fear, maybe a little bit of both. "I want this," I said, my voice steady despite the whirlwind of emotions inside me. "I want you."

Jason's eyes softened, and he let out a small sigh of relief. "I've wanted to hear you say that for so long."

His words sent a rush of warmth through me, and before I knew it, I was leaning in, my lips finding his in a kiss that felt like a release. It started slow, tentative, but quickly deepened as all the tension, all the unspoken feelings between us, finally spilled over.

Jason's hands moved to my waist, pulling me closer until I was nearly in his lap. His touch was firm, grounding, and it made me feel safe. I responded eagerly, my fingers tangling in his hair as the kiss grew more urgent. The room seemed to fade away, and all I could focus on was the way his lips felt against mine, the way his hands roamed my back, pulling me closer.

When we finally pulled apart, both of us breathless, Jason rested his forehead against mine. "Lesley," he murmured, his voice low and rough. "Are you sure about this? About us?"

I looked into his eyes, my heart pounding in my chest. "I've never been more sure."

That was all he needed. In one swift motion, he pulled me onto his lap, his hands resting on my hips as I straddled him. I could feel his heart racing beneath my palms as I leaned in to kiss him again, deeper this time. His hands slipped under my shirt, and I shivered as his fingers brushed my skin, leaving a trail of warmth in their wake.

Every touch, every kiss, felt like a release, like we were both finally letting go of all the tension that had been building for weeks. Jason's hands were everywhere—my waist, my back, my thighs—drawing me closer with each movement. I could feel the heat between us building, and it was intoxicating.

As things grew more intense, I pulled away slightly, my breath coming in shallow gasps. "Jason..."

He met my gaze, his eyes dark with desire but filled with concern. "We don't have to do anything you're not ready for," he said softly, his hands still resting on my hips, holding me steady.

"I want this," I whispered, my voice steady despite the nerves fluttering in my chest. "I want you."

Jason's eyes softened, and he kissed me again, slower this time, his hands moving with a deliberate tenderness that made my heart ache in the best way. The world outside faded away, and for the first time in a long time, I felt like I was exactly where I needed to be.

As the night stretched on, everything else—Ethan, the drama, the uncertainty—melted away. All that mattered was the two of us, wrapped up in each other, taking the first step into whatever came next.

I knew the path ahead wasn't going to be easy, but for now, in Jason's arms, it felt like it was exactly where I was meant to be.