British Bird - Complete

British Bird - Chapter Thirty Five

British Bird
Chapter Thirty Five
Sang

I close the door behind me and hang my keys up on the hook, my other hand still locked around the letters like they'll be ripped away from me at any second. Before I'm even able to take a step down the hall, a familiar voice says, "Where have you been, Peanut?"

I lift my head and my eyes meet Nathan's. "I can explain."

"I hope so," Nathan says, taking a step forward. "One minute you were in your room and the next you're gone. The others are out, trying to track you down." He's angry; I can hear it in his voice and see it on his handsome face.

"I'm sorry," I whisper, taking a few steps forward.

Nathan's eyes soften and his shoulder slump down, like the tension in them just uncoiled and relaxed. "I've been so fucking worried. We've all been worried."

"I shouldn't have left without telling any of you, but I had to do what I did by myself." I move past him and into the living room. Sighing, I sit down on the sofa and place the letters in my lap. "I have your letters. Finally."

Nathan sits down beside me and tucks some hair behind my ear. I turn my head to look at him, unable not to do so. "You've been to see Michelle?" He asks and I nod my head.

"Yes, but I'll tell you about that when the others get back." I bite my lip as tears sting my eyes. "For years, I've felt like the world was weighing down heavily on my shoulders, stopping me from moving forward in my life. But now..." I trail off.

"You feel lighter," Nathan offers and I nod my head yes. I love how they can understand me, know my thoughts without even having to tell them, and I love them for that. "You feel like you can finally put one foot in front of the other."

"I do," I tell him.

"Do this mean you've changed your mind?"

I shake my head no. Nathan releases a pained breath, as if he had been holding it as he awaited my answer. "I don't like it," he chokes out, making me look at him. My heart breaks when I see a tear rolling down his cheek. "But I'll respect it, because I respect you."

I place the letters on the arm of the sofa and turn my body towards Nathan's. My hand comes up, cupping his cheek. I move my thumb under his eye, wiping away the tears. "Don't cry, Honey."

"I can't help it, Sang. You're breaking my heart." My head drops forward, resting lightly on his chin. I desperately want to reassure him, especially because I know that one day I'll be on a flight to where my heart belongs, but I can't, not yet.

Nathan's warm large hand wraps around the back of my neck, the fingers on his other hand pushing on my chin to to tilt my head back. I open my eyes and for a few seconds, I just take him in; the reddish mused hair on his head, the light dusting of freckles on his nose, his thick eyebrows, and full lips. The coarse hair on his jaw and then his eyes—I could get lost in those eyes.

"I've waited years to do this," he murmurs, eyes dropping to my lips. "I can't wait any longer."

I nod my head, giving him permission to what I know is coming. Our noses brush as his lips press to the corner of my mouth. I turn my head, seeking his lips, and my eyes close when his lips press firmly against mine.

My fingers weave their way into his hair, pressing on the back of his head, pulling him closer, and deepening the kiss. My lips part, as do his, and our tongues touch. A shiver works it way down my spine at the contact.

He wraps his arms around my waist and lifts me up. I part my legs as he sits back on the sofa, allowing him to settle me over the top of him so I'm straddling him. I pull back and open my eyes to look into his and what I see there shatters my already broken heart into a thousand little pieces.