No Expectations

Chapter Twenty

Stephen

Something between us changed. Emilia changed. She was quiet as we laid in bed together. I asked her what was wrong more times than necessary, and she kept reassuring me that she was fine and just tired. I didn't think she was just tired.

"Can you come over again tomorrow?" I asked, rubbing her back as she propped her chin on my chest.

She shrugged so easily like she wasn't upset. Like I couldn't see it all over her pretty face. "Sure. Mrs. Petterman comes home Wednesday, so I have another night without questioning." A smirk broke through. "I figured you'd want to sleep early because of work."

My fingertips trailed along her arm, forming little lines across her soft skin. "Well, usually, I would, but I want to be with you as much as possible. As long as you're okay with it."

Her lips turned up into a smile. Her arms wrapped tighter around me as she hugged me close. "I'm fine with it. I like being around you."

I kissed the top of her head. "What if I took you out on a date? We could do whatever. Go down to Lincoln Road and watch a movie then walk around. Or go out to another nice restaurant. Or just sit out on the beach on a blanket and eat sandwiches."

Her head popped up again as a weird smile crossed her face. "Alright, Mr. Try Hard. You already got me into bed."

Rolling my eyes, a smirk broke through. "I want to spend time with a cute girl. What's wrong with that?"

She blinked. "Nothing. I just... don't want to get the wrong idea about us."

"What would be the wrong idea?"

"That there's something more."

"You think there's not?"

Her eyes widened. "I don't know." She avoided direct eye contact before she laid her head flat on my chest again. Her arms tightened around me. My hand was slow as I rubbed her back, not sure what exactly to say that would ease her worries. "It's scary," she finally admitted, still not looking at me.

"What's scary?"

"This feeling."

"How do you feel?" She was quiet. "Emilia, I have feelings too."

"It's probably not the same."

"Why do you assume that?"

"Because you're you, and I'm me."

"What's wrong with you?"

"I'm eighteen."

"So?" Annoyance was tough to keep out of my tone. "I thought you said earlier that our age gap didn't bother you."

She didn't say anything again. Her fingers started to trace in circles on my stomach. I sighed, not wanting to argue with the beautiful woman in my arms. "My sister's worried about us."

A pause. "Really?"

"Yes. She thinks you'll grow up and get over me."

Her head popped up again, but this time her eyes were glassy. Guilt swept over me in an instant. I chose the wrong words. "I wouldn't get over you. You'd get over me. You'll realize I'm just an immature little girl."

My eyes widened as she shook her head, and a tear ran down her cheek. "I'm just a kid who's playing grown up with you. I don't know anything about anything. You're so manly and adult, and you know everything. I want this to be more, and that's terrifying. I'm not good enough."

My arm around her tightened as I pulled her up closer to me. I cupped her cheek and wiped her tear away with my thumb. I didn't know what to say. Nothing felt right, so I kissed her. Her arms flew up and around my neck as she kissed me back, her lips desperate against mine.