Never Too Late

Chapter Forty Eight.

Johan moved aside to let Ericka into his house, his warm, masculine smell deepening her blush. She could tell from their short interaction that he finally understood her feelings for him and this made her heart leap with joy. She had tried calling him before but changed her mind after she'd heard about Liz's death. She knew he must've been hurting deeply so all she wanted was to be close to him.

When Luke confessed his feelings to her, she thought it was everything she wanted to hear, but she realized the feelings she once had for him were now platonic, while those for Johan had grown so intense that he was all she thought about. Now, as he closed the front door and stood behind her, slowly wrapping his arms around her body, her knees felt weak. It was just like the hug she received at the fair but more enthralling since they were both now on the same page.

There was something sensual about Johan that drove her insane, his fingers pressing into her waist, the warmth of his breath in her ear, and the drumming of his heart against her back.

"Johan," she muttered, flushed at having him so close yet overjoyed that his feelings for her were still the same.

After what happened with Liz she wondered if her words had played a role in the outcome. She felt overwhelming grief when she heard how hard Johan was taking Liz's passing, so she stayed away, but she couldn't bear staying away from him any longer; she wanted to be with him more than anything.

"Ericka," He whispered in her ear before he withdrew his arms from her and stepped away. "Sorry,"

Surprised by his shift, she turned to him, "Why?" She asked then realized he must've thought he had made her uncomfortable. "No it's fine," she told him before closing the distance between them again. His face flushed at her words, but not with the innocence of a boy in love, but something deeper and more sultry.

Pulling her close again, they looked at each other with absolute infatuation; like two lost souls rekindled.

"Do you want to come to my room?" He asked, and she nodded elatedly. As Johan took her hand and led her there, Ericka felt a little nervous because she'd never been in a boy's room before, but when they got there, she was pleasantly surprised at how nice and clean it was aside from the crumpled bedding where Johan had been sleeping that morning. "Sorry if it's a bit messy." He said sitting on the bed before taking her in his arms again.

"No it's fine," Ericka responded.

"Why did you choose me?" Johan asked as he took her hands and pulled her closer. In his eyes, Ericka could see something fragile, a fear that he was undeserving of her. A fear, no an acceptance of rejection that lingered, perhaps from his past.

"I've also always liked you," she confessed. It was a secret she had kept for so long but now she could finally say it to him. "It wasn't always romantic but it was always there from the moment I met you."

A broad smile curved the corners of Johan's mouth, and his face lit up with happiness, which he seemed not to have experienced in a while.

"I think you're the most beautiful girl I've ever met," he admitted in return. "You're smart, sweet, and thoughtful, and whenever I think of you, I feel happy."

"Do you mean that?," she whispered, her heart warmed from hearing those words.

"It's true," he breathed before pushing her closer into a kiss.

Their arms wrapped around each other as they kissed deeply, and intensely, a moment they had both eagerly awaited. Ericka loved how firm and hot Johan's lips felt against hers, almost stealing her breath away.

Johan pulled her onto his lap before pressing her into the bed, further deepening the kiss. They kissed over and over again until Johan finally pulled away and looked at her with absolute lust which made her heart slam against her chest. Her body wanted Johan but her mind froze with hesitation. Smiling at her expression, he lay next to her and took her hand.

"Don't worry, there's no need to rush," He murmured and a breath of relief escaped her.

"Okay," she said, slightly embarrassed, but happy Johan was willing to wait.

They both lay there staring at the ceiling silently before Johan turned to her and spoke,

"Luke is going to be heartbroken when he hears about us," He muttered before staring back at the ceiling.

"I'll tell him," Ericka volunteered. "I don't want him to be mad at you."

"No,"  Johan shook his head. "I'm his brother. If he's going to be angry at anyone, it should be me."

Johan squeezed her hand tighter, quietly reassuring her that it would be okay even though doubt was on her face.

"In two weeks, I'm leaving for college," Johan said staring out his bedroom window at the blue sky. "I'll try to see you as much as I can but I know it'll be hard."

"There's no need," Ericka said grinning.

"So you don't want to see me?" Johan stared at her, puzzled, but she laughed.

"I wanted to surprise you but now is as good as ever. I applied to Oxford too after I heard you talking about going there and I got in!" She said gleefully.

"What!?" Johan blurted, flabbergasted, before he hugged her joyfully.

Although going to Oxford was his dream, he felt apprehensive about going there alone and being in a strange country by himself, but knowing that Ericka would be by his side, he felt overjoyed.

"I'm glad you're thrilled," she laughed. "My parents don't feel the same but I want to be close to you,"

"Are you leaving the same time as me?" Johan asked still brimming with joy.

"Yeah, in two weeks as well. I don't know if we have the same flight but we can stay together when we arrive in England."

"That sounds good," Johan agreed.

"It does, doesn't it?" She muttered happily.

"Hey Ericka," Johan said staring up at the ceiling again, his face serene and slightly flushed. "Thanks for being here."

Blushing in return Ericka hid her face behind her palms before whispering back,

"Where else would I be?"