Wicked Little Sins

Charley and Adrian

It was dark out, and the brilliant moon illuminated his face as they talked. The pond glistening against the glare of the moonlight made for a romantic setting.

He'd told her how he'd worked for his dad's construction company for many years, learning the skills he needed to eventually become the boss of his own construction company. His parents business had built nearly every tall structure from Ohio and beyond. Charley admired who he was and where he'd come from.

"That's really amazing," she said.

She pulled his jacket closer to her body. She loved that he was the type of guy to offer his own jacket when she was cold. She was having a wonderful time and she didn't want to go home.

"I don't know about amazing, but it's fun," he humbly offered.

He noticed Charley's nervous habit of touching her forehead and brushing her hair aside as she spoke. The smile on her face was nearly constant, and he loved how her face seemed to shimmer in the moonlight—all these characteristics only added to her beauty.

"And what about you? You're an editor for one of the biggest music magazines in New York. And don't think I haven't heard of them," he said, complimenting her massive success in life. Not many girls her age could say they'd finished college, let alone that she ran the company on her own. He was amazed that she didn't give herself the credit she deserved for such hard work. The job responsibility was enormous, and her family had no idea. Adrian thought it was absurd that Charley felt it would just complicate their opinion of her.

"I worked really hard to get where I am; it's all I've ever wanted. Don't get me wrong, I'm happy about it, but none of them understand. My mother did because she was the same way with her career as a psychologist. It's all she ever wanted," Charley said, wondering if she was talking too much.

"A psychologist?" Adrian asked.

"Yeah for over twenty years," Charley nodded. Her mother's life was consumed with everyone else's problems. She'd never felt right telling her mom any of her own problems. She felt guilty about troubling her.

"I wonder how that would be to have a parent that could pick your brain." He smiled thinking about it.

"Scary," Charley insisted, with a smile of her own.

In spite of the cool night air, they made their way around the pond for the second time. He was so engrossed in everything she had to say that he'd almost forgotten how cool it was. He was thrilled with her willingness to share those parts of her life with him.

"Excuse me," she said, taking her phone from her purse. He nodded, content with standing and waiting for her. She walked a little away for privacy, leaving Adrian to admire her from where he stood.

"Sorry about that, it's my job," she explained after ending her call. "I really don't think I am going to make it another week here. They're not doing anything I told them to," she said, frowning.

"Looks like you better crack the whip," Adrian teased.

"I wouldn't know the first thing about doing such a thing," she scoffed. She knew she didn't have it in her to be overly demanding and nasty.

Adrian took her hand in his; she was freezing.

"Why didn't you say you were freezing?" he asked, alarmed.

"Because I didn't want this to end. I'm sorry if that sounds pitiful. I haven't been out on a date in a long time and this is nice," she said, feeling embarrassed.

"I'm just amazed you even agreed to go. And this is great, it doesn't have to end. I told you whatever you want to do," he said, not realizing he was still holding on to her hand.

"Anything, eh?" Charley asked, giving him a silly grin.

"Of course," he said back.

"Come back to my house and watch a movie with me," she said.

Adrian was thrilled she would suggest such a thing. He nodded his head in affirmation.

"Well, what are we waiting for?" Charley asked, confused when he stayed where he was, her hand still captive by his. She didn't mind in the least, it was sweet.

Adrian stepped closer, his chest nearly touching hers. She looked up at him feeling a bit awkward.

"Hi," he said, smiling at the intimacy.

Charley smiled, knowing what was probably going to happen next. She waited patiently. She noticed how tense he suddenly seemed. He grazed the side of her face with his hand as his fingers made their way to her hair. She lifted her head a little just as his lips met hers, accelerating her heartbeat. He continued kissing her slowly, his soft lips so delicately meshing with hers.

Adrian got chills as her breathing raced with every move he made. Her lips met with his over and over again until she began to hold back. Sensing her hesitancy, he stopped kissing her.

"You ready?" he asked, as they broke apart. Charley's cheeks were flushed. She nervously finger-combed her hair and gave him a nod. He chuckled at her reaction to his kiss.

"Are you okay?" Adrian asked. She'd hardly said a word as they made their way back to his car.

"Fine," she said, looking away.

"Did I go too far back there?" he said, pointing back to where they'd just shared the most incredible kiss.

"No, you were perfect. It was perfect. I told you, it's all new to me," she explained. She'd just shared the most amazing kiss with an equally amazing guy. She hadn't expected that, and she was so flustered she could easily climb into bed and hide her head under the covers.

"Wow," Adrian said. She'd just called him perfect.