Troublemaker (5SOS)

Chapter Thirteen

Michael lost to Luke every time, which was unusual, seeing as Michael held the highest score for that game.

"Come on, man, you're letting me win. This isn't even fun", Luke tossed his controller onto the coffee table and sauntered to the kitchen.

Michael checked his phone to see a notification from Snapchat. Before opening it, he pocketed the phone and turned the Xbox off. "Yeah, you're right. We'll just pick this up another time. Don't expect me to let you win again".

Before Luke could return to the couch, Michael went back to his room and locked the door. Finally, in solitude, he opened the picture from Tara. She was more beautiful than he remembered. Just the sight of her made his pulse quicken.

He sent a photo back, biting his lip. 

michaelgcliffor: You're stunning.  I hope I'm not overstepping my bounds by saying so. 

taradactyl: So, I've been thinking of that moment we shared in the water...

Michael raised his eyebrows, unsure of how he should respond. What, exactly, was she thinking about? Was it in her head the way that it was in his--where it's all she could think about? Or was she feeling guilty about it, like it never should have happened?

michaelgcliffor: I really wanted to kiss you.

If he didn't admit it now, maybe he never would. She responded almost immediately, before he could even click off of the chat.

taradactyl: Wanted to?

Michael suddenly felt like he couldn't breathe, like he was being sucked underwater, trapped in a riptide.

michaelgcliffor: Want to.

If anything, at least he was honest. He still wants to kiss her more than anything, even though they'd only just met. Even though he would be stealing her from one of his closest friends.  Before he could think of the consequences, she responded, asking what he was doing right at this moment.

michaelgcliffor: Well now I can't stop thinking about you.

Tara sent an address, followed by "I hope to see you soon". 

Michael saved the address in the chat and searched it to see how far apart they were.  She was only a 15 minute drive away, so he quickly changed into clean clothes and hurried out the front door.  Luke looked up from his bowl of cereal in confusion but didn't ask where he was going.  This was good, it made Michael feel less guilty not having to think of a lie to tell him.

When the GPS announced his arrival, he pulled his car to the side of the road and put it in park, messing with his hair until it fell just right.  

She was standing in the doorway, her ocean water hair piled on top of her head in a loose bun.  The smile on her face grew larger as Michael stepped out of his car, following the stone path to the front door, and tripping slightly over his own feet before catching himself.  His embarrassment shown in his expression, but Tara doubles over, laughing.  She stands upright, opening the door farther, as an invitation to come inside.  She bites her lip as he slides past, the fresh scent of his cologne lingering in the air.  

Tara closes the door, secluding themselves from the rest of the world.  Just as it latches, she feels Michael's hands on her hips.  Her breath catches in her throat, but there's electricity moving between them.  He slowly turns her to face him and she leans back, just for the stability.  She almost felt like her legs were going to buckle beneath her.  He must have felt it too, because her pulled her up, so her legs were wrapped around him the same way they were in the water.  Without hesitation this time, Tara enclosed the space between their lips.