Not His Juliet

Chapter 16

Ace High by K. Jessica Ramirez

Chapter 16:

"You know it may just be the Texas air talking but there is just something about the nights in this place." I share staring out the window of Austin's truck.

The rodeo had ended and we are heading home. I've had so much fun in a place I never thought I could even like with people whom prior to this vacation I'd never be able to with stand. Recently it feels like everything in my life has taken a complete 360 turn. My worlds jumping and spinning and I'm just trying to keep up with it but for some unknown reason I think I like it. I think I may be enjoying this more than I thought I would have.

I catch movement on my left and turn to see Austin glancing at me. I send him a relaxed smile, not a professional business like smile or a fake smile, but just a smile because I want to and because I'm just happy. Austin returns my smile and at that moment I want so badly to speak of our shared kiss(es) or better yet to not talk about them and relive them again. Have it not be for my beloved sister sitting just within hearing distance I would have.

This gorgeous, kind, heartbroken man is taking up all my thinking capacity and I may not even mind. Austin turns and catches my stare giving me a small smile and I feel my cheeks blush a light pink at being caught.

"When I came to Texas the last time I never even got the chance to really enjoy the view out here. I mean look at those stars they shine so damn bright. Fuck California moonlight I want Texas starlight baby!" Nikki exclaims.

Austin and I make eye contact and burst out laughing. That's another new thing. I don't laugh because I have to or even because it's funny but just because I'm happy. I guess this whole 'happy' thing is truly a new revelation to me. I've always been so terrified of being happy, too afraid that it'd be taken from me like it always has, that after a while I learned to settle for content. Happiness wasn't a factor of my life it wasn't an option it didn't even exist.

"We're here. Home sweet home." Austin says as he parks.

"Home sweet thank god it's not my home!" Prim jokes exiting the truck.

She turns to walk toward the house "I'm going to bed see you in the morning Ang and it was nice meeting you Austin."

"You too Nikki and welcome to Texas!" Austin replies to a retreating Nikki.

Nikki only laughs before entering the house leaving Austin and I alone. Austin turns to me as my sister disappears behind the front door.

"Hey." He greets softly coming closer.

The atmosphere between us changes the second we're alone. There's an electric static between us pushing us closer to each other. The feeling of wanting to touch and kiss him is at its strongest in this moment. Austin looks at me the way I'm sure I've looked at him all day. We just want each other. No, we need each other. Even though we are almost complete strangers we can't help but want one another, or at least I can't help it. Who knows maybe I need to get my eyes checked. Maybe I'm imagining all of this and I'm really making goo goo eyes at a cactus.

"Hi." I reply my voice breathless from our close approximately.

My heart rate speeds up as Austin takes a step closer to me cupping my chin up to him. I stare into his beautiful swoon worthy eyes completely transfixed on his every movement. This man stimulates me in a way I've only ever read about in books. He has such a huge effect over me and he doesn't even know it. His hand comes up to the side of my face and I almost believe he's going to kiss me again and oh how I want to devour those full lips of his but instead he pushes a loose strand of hair behind my ear.