Through You

Chapter 19 - Games of Proximity

The sun was beating down hard that afternoon, turning the beach into an endless expanse of golden light. Jeanne walked slowly, her feet sinking into the warm sand, the waves gently licking at her ankles. Each step brought her closer to Daniel, who was waiting near the water’s edge, hands in the pockets of his shorts, a mischievous smile at the corner of his lips. The wait had sharpened his impatience, but also his excitement. Since they met, they had often talked about coming here, taking a moment for themselves, away from the everyday. Today, finally, they were doing it.

“You took your time,” Daniel teased as he saw her approaching, his brown eyes sparkling with a playful glint.

Jeanne shrugged slightly, letting a mysterious smile stretch across her lips. “You have to let the tension build, right?”

She enjoyed this game they had established since their first exchanges. This game of proximity, where they played with the boundaries without ever fully crossing them, where temptation became a silent weapon. Today, the perfect setting of the beach, the sea air, and the heat of the sun seemed to heighten this game, making every gesture and every glance more intense.

“You’re making me wait on purpose, aren’t you?” he said as he slowly approached her, his steps crunching on the sand.

Jeanne felt her breath quicken despite herself. She loved the thrill this game caused in her, the adrenaline rush every time their bodies brushed without touching. She stood right in front of him, so close that their breaths mingled, but still not enough to break the distance. Her lips were just a few centimeters from his, and she amused herself by watching the slight twitch of his muscles under his tanned skin.

“Maybe,” she replied in a low voice, her eyes diving into Daniel’s, both provocative and innocent.

The young man held his breath, his heart beating harder. He knew she liked to test his limits, to see how far he would hold out before giving in. But today, he wasn’t planning to give in so easily. “I’ll make you crack,” he murmured, his tone full of challenge.

Jeanne narrowed her eyes slightly, accepting the silent challenge. She liked this game, this dance where each pushed the other to the edge, but neither wanted to be the first to give in. Daniel then took another step, reducing the distance to almost nothing. Their faces were so close she could feel the warmth of his skin, but still, none of their lips had touched.

“Not yet,” she whispered, though she felt her own body begin to tremble slightly under the tension.

Daniel smirked, sensing the moment was now. With calculated slowness, he placed his hands on her waist, the softness of his touch sending a shiver through Jeanne despite herself. He amused himself by emphasizing each movement, drawing out the suspended moment.

“You always crack before me,” she murmured, but her voice betrayed a certain uncertainty.

But this time, Daniel was determined. He leaned in a little more, until their lips brushed, and finally, he kissed her, slowly, deeply. A kiss that swept away all resistance, all games. Jeanne responded immediately, clinging to him as if this moment had to last forever. The sensation of his lips against hers made her heart skip a beat, and the adrenaline from the game turned into a soft, almost comforting warmth.

Their kiss stretched on, slow and sensual, until they finally pulled apart, breathless. Silence fell between them, but this time it wasn’t heavy or awkward. It was a complicit silence, filled with this new intimacy they shared.

After a moment, Daniel broke the spell by whispering in her ear, “Come to my place, we can enjoy the afternoon in peace.”

Jeanne hesitated for a moment. Going to his place meant exposing herself to his life, to his environment, and she knew the difference between them was palpable. Daniel came from a wealthy family, while she had always lived in relative simplicity. But the desire to spend time with him, in a private space, won out. She nodded gently.

“Okay.”

Daniel’s house was huge, almost intimidating. High ceilings, artworks hanging on the walls, everything here exuded luxury. When she crossed the threshold of this home, Jeanne felt a slight discomfort creep in, as if she didn’t belong. But Daniel’s hand in hers, his reassuring smile, was enough to chase away her doubts.

“My parents shouldn’t be back until this evening,” he said, leading her into the living room, which was large and tastefully decorated.

They settled on the couch, where the proximity resumed in full force. Their bodies brushed against each other again, like an inevitable return to the game they knew so well. Jeanne felt Daniel’s gaze weighing on her, and she couldn’t help but smile slightly. Her fingers brushed against his, then her lips found his again, soft and eager.

The kisses became more pressing, more passionate. They were still playing, but this time, the game seemed to have taken a more serious, more intimate turn. Jeanne let herself be swept away by the wave of sensations, by this new closeness she was discovering with him.

But the bubble of tenderness was suddenly burst by the sound of the front door slamming. The echoing footsteps in the house clearly indicated that Daniel’s parents had come home earlier than expected.

“Daniel!” The deep, authoritative voice of his father rang throughout the house, shattering the intimacy of the moment.

The couple jumped up, startled and uncomfortable. Jeanne, her cheeks still flushed from the intensity of the moment, quickly stood, trying to compose herself. Daniel glanced at her, his jaw tightening slightly.

Daniel’s parents appeared in the doorway, their eyes immediately shifting from Daniel to Jeanne with a coldness that chilled the air around them. There was no exchange of smiles, no greeting. Daniel’s mother spoke first, her tone dry and distant.

“Who is this girl?” she asked, her clear eyes fixed on Jeanne, as if evaluating her.

Daniel clenched his fists, trying to keep calm. “This is Jeanne, Mom. My… girlfriend.”

The silence that followed this statement was icy. His father crossed his arms over his chest, a deep frown forming on his forehead. He seemed to weigh each of his words before speaking, his low, authoritative voice breaking the silence.

“I thought you had better judgment than this, Daniel. We have an image to maintain, and this kind of… association…” He left the sentence hanging, but the message was clear.

Jeanne felt her face flush. This kind of association. She knew exactly what he meant. She wasn’t from their world. She didn’t belong in this social sphere. And it was obvious, even in the way they looked at her, as if she were an intruder in their golden universe.

“Dad, stop it,” Daniel replied, his voice betraying his anger. “Jeanne hasn’t done anything wrong.”

His mother stepped forward, her face cold and closed. “Daniel, you know very well that this relationship can never work. This girl… she’s not right for you. She doesn’t fit our world, our values. You have to think about your future, your reputation.”

Every word hit Jeanne like a blow. She felt more and more uncomfortable. The initial discomfort she had felt when entering this house was nothing compared to the pain she was feeling now. It was too much. Too much judgment, too much pressure. She knew she didn’t belong here, and their looks condemned her.

She stood up slowly, her throat tight. “I’m going to leave,” she murmured, unable to hold their gaze any longer.

Daniel stood up, visibly upset. “No, wait…”

But Jeanne shook her head, tears threatening to fall. “I can’t stay. Not like this.”