The Law of Attraction

(11)

Calvin walks me to my front door, all of the lights off inside, and the driveway empty of any other vehicles besides his own.

Dinner only took about two hours or so, so I'm not at all surprised to find that William and my father aren't home yet.

"I had a wonderful evening getting to know you, Isabella." Calvin says with a soft voice, his hands resting inside of his pockets.

He almost seems nervous as he looks at my face, his blue eyes reflecting the porch light.

"I had a fantastic time as well." I admit honestly. It took a great deal of effort to force William out of my mind, but once I did I felt infinitely more at ease.

We stand in comfortable silence for a moment while I fish my keys out of my purse. The night air is cool and quiet, a breeze kissing my skin as I rummage.

"There they are," I say with a girlish laugh of embarrassment. I single out the key to the front door and turn my head towards Calvin.

"Would you like to-" Calvin reaches a hand up to my jaw, his thumb resting on my lips and closing them before I can finish my sentence.

"If you were to invite me inside right now," he breaks our eye contact to look at the house behind me, no doubt noticing the lack of life within "I'd find it hard to keep my hands to myself." He admits, and my cheeks instantly flush with pink.

Calvin clears his throat "I'd be the first to admit that I'm not very good at pacing, usually opting to take any liberties given as soon as they are, but I genuinely like you, Bella." He says, his eyes filled with resolve and something mysterious just below the surface.

"And who ever said you'd be given any... Liberties?" I respond, my dignity bruised even though I hadn't offered him anything to take.

Just knowing he wouldn't, even if I did offer, kind of stings my pride.

"I didn't mean to insult your character, and I in no way would peg you for the type of woman to offer her self up so quickly, I just don't want to make an ass out of myself." Calvin defends, a boyish smirk appearing on his lips.

"I'd be more afraid that I'd be the one to offer myself, and then be rejected." He adds.

I nod in sudden understanding, my lip darting inbetween my teeth as I assess what he's just admitted.

He would attempt to come on to me, but is certain he would fail, and because of that he's decided not to place himself in the situation at all.

"You are pleasantly insightful." I say to Calvin, a cheeky grin pulling at my lips.

"I think it's called self preservation." He jokes, and now the quiet air is filled with mild laughter and huffs of breath.

I know that this goodbye is taking too long, but neither of us seem to want to be the one to pull away.

"Well I should probably go inside." I say finally, trying to tear my eyes away from the masculine stare that's now peering down at me.

The silence is cut through by the sound of a loud engine roaring down the street, waking this sleepy neighborhood and easing some of the tension that's lingering between Calvin and I.

I go to put my key in the lock when I suddenly feel a strong hand grab around my wrist. The motion causes me to turn back towards Calvin who's tongue quickly wets his bottom lip, his eyes bouncing back and forth between mine, and my mouth.

"Please allow me one small liberty." He pleads, and before I can accept or decline, his lips are crashing into mine.

Just like the last time I felt his lips, he's holding back. He's testing me, trying not to overstep his allowance.