Begin Again

Chapter 23

His lips are soft and gentle. The kiss is sweet and full of emotion. It's not a heated kiss but it still conveys passion. I can feel how deeply he cares for me. Sensations I've never felt before flow through my body and make me feel warm all over. Without thinking, my hand moves to rest on the back of his neck, pulling him closer. His other hand moves to rest gently on my hip. This sends tingles all over my body.

Erik moves his hand from my hip to my face so that both his hands are cradling it. He pulls back, holding my face in his hands, and looks me in the eyes. A smile graces his lips and I can't help but return the look.

"You're amazing Trys. I hope that helps make up for everything I didn't do in the past."

I blush at his compliment, "Thanks and you have nothin' to make up for."

"Yes I do, I have to make up for all the time I haven't been spendin' with you", he says smiling.

"Well if that means more time with you then I'm not complainin'.", I say smiling back at him.

"You can spend all the time with me you want Trys. I like spendin' time with you."

All the time with Erik that I want? I like the sound of that.

"And since tonight is going so well, I won't make you talk about what happened. Unless you want to though. Then talk all you want. I'm here to listen."

Woah, a guy that wants to listen? Wow, that's a first. Erik is seriously perfect.

"Did I hear that right? A guy is goin' to listen to what a girl has to say? Have I stumbled into an alternate universe?", I say teasingly. Even though the topic is far from a teasing matter.

Chuckling he says, "You heard it right. Unlike other guys, I value what a girl has to say. It's how I was raised."

His mom deserves an award. I applaud you Mrs. Carson.

"Ain't you full of surprises tonight then? First you show up at my door, then you take me on a date, and now you're offerin' to listen."

He flashes his perfect smile. "I guess I am and here's another one for you."

He grabs me around the waist and pulls me back with him so that both of us are leaning back against the windshield. Then his arm moves up to my shoulders and he pulls me into his warm side. With his other hand, Erik points to the sky. Turning my head, I see a beautiful sunset over the little pond. The sky has turned beautiful shades of oranges and blues and it all meshes together to make a breathtaking scene. The sun is reflecting on the ponds surface bringing the still water to life with vibrant colors.

"This is amazing", I say breathlessly.

"Just like you."

"You're so sweet."

"Thank you."

"This is how you know God is a gator fan," I joke. I know I ruined the moment but I can't help it. I'm rewarded with Erik's deep laugh though.

Laughing he agrees with me, "You're right."

We sit together and watch the sunset in silence. I contemplate what he said earlier about talking. I know we definitely need to; especially if we are going to keep building our friendship. The air needs to be cleared of my dark past before we can both move forward. When the stars start to dot the night sky, I decide that I should just go ahead and get it over with.

I lean forward and scoot away from where I was comfortably sitting so that I can face Erik. When his arm falls off my shoulders it suddenly gets a lot chillier.