A Eternal Love

chapter 25

It had been two months since our first lunch date. Two months of stolen moments, hurried coffees, and lingering glances that made my heart skip a beat. Every minute with Daniel only made me want more. He was busy, always busy, but I didn’t blame him. The harder it was to see him, the stronger the pull between us seemed.

As if on cue, my phone buzzed with a message.

"I’m standing in your school parking."

I groaned, waving goodbye to my friends. They didn’t know yet, and neither did my family, about how close Daniel and I had become. I shoved my phone into my pocket, my heart racing.

Mia: Hi.
Daniel: Hi, honey.
Mia: What are you doing here?
Daniel: I came to pick you up.
Mia: Okay.

We slid into his car. It smelled faintly of leather and something sweet—Daniel, of course. As we drove, we traded stories about our day, laughter spilling easily between us. It felt effortless, normal, yet every touch, every brush of his hand on mine sent a shock straight through me.

Curiosity got the better of me.

Mia: When are you going to tell everyone?
Daniel: Tell everyone what?
Mia: About… global warming.
Daniel: You don’t need my permission to talk about global warming.
Mia: Asshole.
Daniel: Hey, no cussing.
Mia: What are you going to do?
Daniel: Don’t challenge me.
Mia: What will you do?

I leaned closer, teasing, my voice dropping to a whisper.

Mia: What will you do?

Daniel’s eyes darkened in that way that made my stomach flip. He stopped the car, pulled me into his lap, and the world melted away.

Daniel: Last warning.

Mia: I will cuss… fuc—

His lips met mine before I could finish. My hands pressed against his chest, feeling the steady beat of his heart beneath my palms. The kiss was slow, deep, urgent, a fire starting low and spreading fast. His hand moved to my neck, thumb brushing beneath my jaw as he pulled me closer. I gasped slightly, and he pressed his forehead to mine, eyes closed for a brief moment as if grounding himself in the reality that I was here, in his arms.

Our lips parted only to meet again, a dance of tongues, playful and demanding. He dominated, of course—but I didn’t mind. I surrendered completely, letting myself get lost in him. When we finally broke apart, barely breathing, our foreheads touched, our breaths mingling.

Daniel: Are you okay?
Mia: Yes.

I licked my lips, and he caught the motion with a warning glance.

Daniel: Don’t do that.
Mia: Do what?
Daniel: You’re making me crazy.
Mia: I want more.
Daniel: With pleasure.

We kissed again—hungrily, passionately. Our bodies pressed closer, hands tangling in hair and along spines. When we finally parted, my eyes searched his, wide and uncertain. He stepped closer, fingers brushing my cheek, trembling slightly. I leaned into the touch, soft and electric.

Daniel: Tell me to stop.

I didn’t. I tilted my head instead, closing the space between us once more. This time, the kiss was careful, reverent, like we’d been holding back for far too long and finally let the dam break. My hands slid up his chest, finding their place behind his neck, and his arms wrapped around my waist like he was afraid I might disappear.

Then my phone rang. Stupid phone.

Mia: Hey, Mom.

I held Daniel tighter as I spoke.

Mom: Where are you?
Mia: In the car.
Mom: Car?
Mia: Yep.
Mom: Whose car?
Mia: Lizzie is dropping me off.
Mom: Okay, come home as soon as you can.
Mia: Why?
Mom: I’ll tell you when you get here.
Mia: Okay, bye.

I sighed, giving Daniel a sheepish look.

Mia: I have to go home.

Daniel: Lizzie, hm?

Mia: So, you want me to say to my mom, “Mom, I’m with Daniel, and we’re making out in his car”?

Daniel: I wouldn’t mind.

Mia: I do.

I returned to my seat, pouting.

Mia: Now drop me home.
Daniel: Okay, ma’am.

I leaned in for a hug, reluctant to let him go. As I pulled away, my eyes caught movement on the porch. My grandma was standing there, arms crossed, staring straight at me.

Mia: Fuck.

Daniel: No cussing.

Mia: She saw us.

Daniel: Who?

Mia: My grandma.

He smirked, a faint glint of amusement in his eyes.

Daniel: So… plan B?

Mia: Plan B?

Daniel: How do we explain this without turning me into her worst nightmare and you into the culprit of car immorality?

Mia: Uh… say she’s your… tutor? Yeah, you’re tutoring me in, uh, “driving safety” and “seatbelt usage.”

Daniel: Genius. Totally believable. I mean, who wouldn’t believe a vampire needs driving lessons?

We laughed, but my heart was still racing. The warmth of him lingered like a cloak around me, and I couldn’t help stealing glances at his sharp jawline, the way his hair fell perfectly over his forehead, how his eyes softened when they landed on me.

Mia (thinking): I can’t believe how lucky I am. Or how in trouble I am. Or both.

Daniel leaned closer, brushing a strand of hair from my face.

Daniel: Don’t think I didn’t notice your staring.

Mia: I’m… uh… checking your… reflection in the window?

He raised an eyebrow.

Daniel: Uh-huh. Sure. Reflection.

We pulled up to my house, and I hesitated, wanting to stay in his car just a little longer.

Mia: So… see you later?

Daniel: Definitely. Don’t forget our “homework” tonight.

Mia: Homework?

Daniel: Mm-hmm. Studying… chemistry. You know, how our lips react under pressure.

I groaned but laughed, shaking my head as I got out. Daniel leaned down, brushing his lips against my temple—a soft, lingering kiss that made my knees weak.

Daniel: Be good.

Mia: No promises.

I closed the door behind me, knowing that no matter what, we’d find our way back to each other. And secretly, I hoped my grandma hadn’t seen too much.