Behind The Mask

Chapter 19

Michael’s POV

I lead her on the roof holding her hand, almost afraid that she’d change her mind. She said yes by nodding briefly to me in the car and I was wary all the way that she’d change her mind. Today was such a good day, I just want to end it on a romantic note. I want her to fall in love with me so hard that she’ll never ever have any doubts about us.

This time her mother went all the way out to make this a truly romantic dinner. Candles, champagne and an impressive arrangement of finger food and salads.

“Count on mom to turn life into a Hallmark movie” muttered Anouk.

“And what is wrong with that? Life doesn’t have to be always drab, and harsh and on the run. There is a time for some quiet enjoyment, for love and romance. There is time for us. You need to learn to relax, to let go and have some fun. Let me help you make your life brighter…”

“You already do” she whispers as she scoots closer to me on the bench.

I get the bottle of champagne and do quite a demonstration of skill in popping the cork without spilling any liquid. I hand her one glass and lift mine.

“A toast is in order…To us, Nooki. Let us have faith in us and not let this powerful connection fade away, even if we’re apart. Let us dream of a better, happier tomorrow.”

“To us” she says and sips ever so little then settles her glass down.

“Baby, you won’t get drunk from a glass of champagne” I smirk at her.

“Well, Mr. Jackson, I’m a lady. I don’t toss back glass after glass like a redneck.”

I throw my head back demonstrating her words. I’m in the mood to get just a little bit cheered up, you know? She starts laughing as I set the empty glass down with a flourish.

“My, my, my! Where are our manners, sir?” she laughs.

“Baby, my manners are somewhere….but your laughter is priceless.”

“Are you acting up like a clown for me?”

“I’d do anything so see you happy and laughing like this” I say earnestly.

Her face becomes earnest, too. She’s close to me and I drink in every single feature. Her eyebrows and eyelashes are dark blonde and her eyes are like the infinite sky above us. Her lips are naturally rosy pink and that well defined Cupid’s bow of her upper lip is driving me crazy. She has the bone structure that a supermodel would die for, with high cheekbones and a well defined, yet delicate jaw line.

I gulp hard as I reach up and caress her cheek with the back of my fingers.

“You are so beautiful, Anouk. The more I look at you, the more bewitched I am….I honestly have not felt so attracted to any girl the way I am to you. But I want you to remember, what I feel is more, much more than physical attraction. And to prove it to you….I will let you make the first move. Whenever you feel like it...”
Her eyes grow bigger and her lips part in surprise. There, we covered this aspect and I hope she can understand the depth of my feelings for her. She brings her face closer to mine and she kisses me.

I feel half shocked, half dizzy. So far she’s never initiated it, but now she wrapped her hands around my neck and her lips are moving slowly against mine. I close my eyes and bring her closer to me, my arms sneaking around her waist and I kiss her back, teasing her slowly with the tip of my tongue until she opens her mouth to me with a sighs as she takes a seat in my lap.

Holy Molly! I have her in my arms and our kiss gets more and more impassionate, while her hands tentatively run through my hair, down my nape and my shoulders….down my back. I pull back before I start losing control, but I keep her in my lap.