Iridescent

Chapter 26: Lipstick

Jason

I looked up from my drawing and caught Joy staring at me. She quickly looked away as her cheeks burned bright red. I couldn't help but smile at the fact that I just caught her checking me out. I chuckled at her embarrassment and continued on with my sketches.

Soon I noticed that there was no longer a shuffling of turning pages, and a soft mewling sound pervaded the space. I looked up and saw Joy fast asleep. She had her legs crossed and stretched out on an ottoman while her head rested against the back of the couch. I stared at her thick, black lashes that brushed against her full cheeks, down to her slightly open mouth devoid of lipstick but was a rosy red and begged to be kissed. Her chest slowly rising and falling with each breath and the escaped tendrils of her hair hugging her neck. She had one hand splayed across her abdomen, with her fingers tucked into her book while the other nestled across her chest.

I stared at her and smiled at how peaceful she looked, a far cry from the girl who was always angry at me. I quickly turned the page and started drawing her. My eyes raced back and forth from her to my pad, quickly immortalizing her at this serene moment.

I don't know how long I was staring at her and sketching, all I know was that I have turned the pages of my pad several times and all it contained was her.

I finally stopped drawing and watched her sleep instead, committing to memory every line and curve of her.

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I thought it was funny how Joy demanded that I tell Susan that we were not dating. I told her she needs to relax. Susan was probably just joking anyway. But, I groused at the fact that Joy obviously didn't like the thought of being with me.

I watched her golden eyes dart around the restaurant before she huffed in agreement.

That was when I had an epiphany about her. She was the type of person who cared a great deal about how people see her. I knew I was right when I saw her eyes flicker in surprise when I told her about my observation. But I had to hand it to her, she did try to evade it by teasing me about psychoanalyzing her. I just told her I knew I was right about her.

She stared back at me, her attempt at defiance I assume, but I played this game longer than she had, and I was not about to back down.

I watched her golden eyes turn into dark pools of molten amber and just like that, I have forgotten what I was trying to do. A deep desire to grab her face and kiss her came over me and I started to lean closer to her. I could still smell the faint aroma of her crisp clean scent and I wondered if it was a perfume or her shampoo. I watched her pupils dilate as I slowly flicked my tongue over my lips. She didn't even realize she was biting down hard on her lips and it distracted me to no end, making me want to kiss her even more.

My lips hovered ever so close to hers, our breaths mingling. I saw her close her eyes, no doubt waiting for me to kiss her. My heartbeat quickened to a deafening crescendo as I moved to close the gap.

It was then I suddenly remembered, she didn't deserve to be associated with the likes of me. She was a good person and I will only besmirch her image which she so greatly protects. She has been so kind to me, and I couldn't, shouldn't do this to her. She deserved more than what I am willing to give.

So I did what I would normally do.

Be a complete and utter ass.