Not Just Acting (Negovanman)

Chapter 19

It's now Sunday night, my last night in this beautiful lake house with the beautiful Natasha Negovanlis. Since the first night of cuddling, compliments, and hand holding, we haven't crossed the line past that yet. As much as I want to, I don't think she's ready. She was ready before, but then she had that moment of seeing an ex with someone. I can see how that could move someone a large step back and make them not want to take that step forward again with someone new. I can only hope she feels better emotionally soon, not for my sake but for hers. I can tell she's still hurting from the fresh wound of seeing someone from her past, and I want to heal her or assist with that healing process.

"Why are you hiding in your room and reading?" Natasha asks from the bedroom door. 

I look up from my book to gaze upon her glorious form.

She's leaning against the door frame, her arms crossed loosely. She's wearing a baggy sweatshirt that still seems to hug her body perfectly and black joggers for pants. Even if it's something comfortable to wear around at night, she looks absolutely beautiful. On her face is a smirk because she's teasing me about reading. I guess she has the right to. I'm in here reading a book and enjoying myself while she's sitting out there doing whatever and possibly being bored. There's nothing more enjoyable than a good book though. I vote my win on this. I could always ask her why she's hiding in the living room, or wherever she was because I haven't been out there in a few hours to know... Okay, I see her point on this.

"It's a good book." I flash her the cover, not even sure if she can read the title from over there, and then bookmark it before setting it on the nightstand. I can always read that later before going to bed.

"It's your last night here and you're going to read?" she continues with her teasing.

"Well, that's what it looks like, doesn't it?" I retort, standing up and carefully approaching her. I don't stand too close, but I notice how she eyes the space between us as if it's too far. "What do you suggest I do instead?"

"Come for a walk with me?" Natasha smiles and offers me her hand, in which I kindly ignore because I disagree with what she wants to do.

"Outside? At night? In the woods?" I shiver at the thought of vicious animals waiting outside the door for us to take a late night stroll. I'm probably a little closer to the paranoid side.

"Yes, and I promise to protect you if anything tries attacking us."

I manage to hold in my blush and retort, "How will you manage to do that?"

"I don't know." She shrugs and takes a step closer to me. "Maybe I'll put my arm around you to give you a sense of protection." She slowly puts her hand on my shoulder and slides it across my upper back to the other shoulder. Now she's standing close next to me, touching me, and my heart is pounding wickedly out of my chest. "Like this."

"I t-think... a walk sounds like a wonderful idea." I fail with controlling my speech around her. I didn't realize I was a sixteen-year-old girl talking to my crush.

"That's what I thought." Natasha gives me a bright smile and steps away from me. "Get on your shoes, grab a jacket, and let's go."

"Grab a jacket?" I laugh. "What are you? My mom?"

"Of course not, it's just chilly out there." She stares at me but gestures to the window. "Hurry up."

"Damn, fine." I gather my boots because they're the easiest to get on out of my other footwear I brought, and then a jacket. I put it on dramatically slow and stare at Natasha as I do so she knows this is, in fact, a jacket that will keep me warm. Once my boots are on, I follow her out my bedroom door then the front door.