Unpredictable and Irresistible

Chapter 3

"Wow" Cody's smile spread to his crinkling eyes. He was suddenly more aware of Maisy's body and wasn't afraid to get a good long look at her. He hadn't been comfortable enough to do so before since he was trying so hard to act uninterested and nonchalant. Cody started at Maisy's shoes. They were white, unbelievably white, without a single streak of dirt. Then he saw her tan ankles which seemed to be glowing against the stark white. Her jeans were rolled up twice on each leg, perfectly even. There was not even a single wrinkle or rip found under the scrutiny of his eyes. Her striped sweater was carefully tucked in and fit her body perfectly, showing all the small curves. He forced his eyes to continue traveling upward to her face. The face he had kissed moments before. Her chin was turned down and her eyes were on the ground. She felt his gaze and blush unwantedly rose to her cheeks. A smile tugged at the corners of her lips which he would not have noticed if he had not been studying her so carefully. Freckles were scattered across her nose and under each eye. Her freckles reminded him of the galaxy, every one a star. Her body was the whole universe. She had sucked him into her vacuum of space and he was running out of air. The taste of her sweet lips still lingered on his and he wanted to feel them again.

Her eyes finally gained the courage to meet his "Was that okay?"

Cody assumed Maisy was referring to the kiss "I want to kiss you again and ag-"

Maisy was satisfied with his answer and leaned in to kiss him first this time, stealing the words from his lips. Cody was thrown off balance and held onto Maisy's shoulders to help regain his footing. Maisy was equally surprised with herself and the hungry feeling growing inside her, making her crazy. She ran her hands through his hair with the same ferocity as a hurricane. Cody relaxed and allowed himself to not hold back any longer. His lips pressed firmly against hers before traveling to kiss each individual freckle on her face. Maisy could feel Cody's hands hovering over her waist even though they were just barely grazing the fabric of her shirt. She wanted to guide his hands over every inch of her body, desperate for his warmth, but she found herself pushing him away. She had lost control. She barely knew this boy. She didn't even know his last name!

"What's wrong?" Cody asked, raising his eyebrows in concern.

"What time is it?" Maisy was horrified at this new person she had become around Cody. She had lost complete track of time and acted like a complete animal. Her hands and lips which had so ravenously engulfed Cody moments before felt dirty, and it wasn't from being in the woods. Where is the old Maisy? Where did this new Maisy come from? Has she always been here, somewhere hidden deep? Now that I've met her and Cody's met her, can I ever go back to who I was? Do I want to?

"Almost noon."

"Take me to school."

"Will you please tell me what's going on? Did I do or say something?"

Although Maisy could clearly see she had hurt Cody, she chose to stay silent. She wanted to give him an answer, she really did, but she didn't even know herself what was wrong. Her heart was pulling her in two different directions. She wanted to reach out to Cody and yet she wanted to get as far away from him as possible. Her brain was screaming at her that this, whatever happened between her and Cody, was dangerous. She needed to remind herself of who she was. She reassured herself that it was impossible for a single moment or a single person to destroy everything she had been planning for the past sixteen years of her life. I will go to college. I will have a successful career. I will make my parents proud. As Maisy recited these words over and over in her head, her heart chimed in: Is this really your dream or are you too afraid to start over? Maisy dismissed her heart.

"Take me to school like you promised."

Cody decided against arguing with her and endured the painfully silent car ride to school. Maisy stared out the window the whole way, unable to notice Cody's inconspicuous eyes darting back and forth from the dashboard to her. When they finally pulled up to the entrance of the school, it was 12:45pm. Maisy hopped out of his car and debated over whether she should turn around and say goodbye to him or just walk away. She shifted from foot to foot, considering all of her options, including getting back into the car with him and ditching the rest of school. By the time she turned around and was ready to say something, the car and Cody were already long gone.