Warrior

CHAPTER NINE

NATASHA'S POV

The whole drive and right throughout dinner, neither me nor James could stop grinning from ear to ear. I didn't take us to any fancy restaurant because I didn't think James would be comfortable enough, and I've never really been a fan either.
James' clothes are on the baggy side, making him a little dorky looking but he's still very handsome. I can tell he asked Dion for the clothes, which almost makes me laugh but I refrain.
There aren't too many people in the restaurant, and our table is away from people which James seems happy about because the bruise on his face is still present, as is the stitches on his eyebrow and along his right jaw.
"Is it bad that I want pancakes for dinner?" James asks with a smile, his eyes still on the menu in his hands.
"Next date can be breakfast tomorrow?" I suggest, loving the excited look on his face, the way his blue eyes twinkle. "Pick what you want, I'll pay."
"Hey, no. I'll pay, I have enough money." By the look on his face and the sound of his voice, this isn't him wanting to be macho or anything. "I asked you out, I should pay."
"Okay, okay." I give in with a chuckle, rubbing his hand to assure him.
We eventually order food, both of us going for different dishes of pasta. James gets spaghetti bolognase with a coke while I get Alfredo and lemonade. We talk most of the way through dinner but it's mostly just James being a dork and making me laugh. Not so much in words but the way he acts and the faces he pulls. It's not until dessert comes out where he becomes serious.
"Hey, what are you thinking about?" I ask, putting down my small fork and taking his hand once more to get him to relax but he just looks up with raised eyebrows and a confused look. I can't help but smile. "You look grumpy when you're thinking."
"Sorry," James blushes like crazy. Whatever he's thinking is causing him to blush even more. "I've just been thinking... about why I asked you out on a date." My heartbeat picks up rapidly, my head tilted to the side slightly in curiosity even though I have a feeling I know what he's about to ask. "Will... will you be my girlfriend?"
"Hmm..." I tease, watching his eyes go wide in worry, so I decide to end his worry. "Yes, I'll be your girlfriend."
James perks up at that with a massive grin and puppy dog like excitement. He looks like he needs to pee by the way he's wiggling in his chair. That or he grew a tail.
After dinner, instead of going back to his apartment straight away, we decide to go for a walk. We walk so close together but don't hold hands. James looks very shy and he's blushing like mad, which only gets worse when I take his large hand in my smaller one and lace our fingers together. He smiles down at me, his cheeks still very red but the blue in his eyes seem brighter in the street lights.
"I don't see how anyone can think you're a bad boy with this look on your face." I state with a cheeky smile, squeezing his hand.
"Even bad boys have a soft spot for the people they think are gorgeous." This time it's my cheeks heating up while he has a smug grin on his handsome face.
Despite the heat on my face and my jacket, I still shiver from the winter air. James doesn't even hesitate, he let's go of my hand, shrugs off his jacket and wraps it around my shoulders and takes my hand back in his. His jacket smells really good. Like pine and vanilla. Two scents that shouldn't go together but do.
Eventually, we decide to head home where we cuddle and watch a movie until it gets late and I have to go home.
"Hey Nat," James stands in the doorway behind me. I turn to once again see his deep in thought face. "Can I kiss you? On the lips?"
"I'd thought you'd never ask." I grin happily walking up to him.
James cups my cheek with one hand, sending an electric shock through me. He has this dreamy look on his face and I'm more than sure I do as well.
I thought the smell of his jacket was amazing but oh how I was wrong. His lips beat everything else. His lips work with mine while fireworks explode in my stomach. I don't think I've ever in my life felt this way, not ever with past relationships. Unfortunately, the best kiss of my life has to cut short when we hear cheering. James and I pull away from each other, both equally giddy and blushing to see Dion in shorts with a stupid grin on his face. I shoot him a glare before giving James a quick peck on the lips goodbye, wishing it could be longer.
The whole drive home, I'm borderline bouncing in the driver's seat, and the second I'm parked in the large fancy garage of my 'home', I sprint inside to my part of the house and squeal loudly which is very unlike me.
"Are you okay, Nat?" I hear Kiera ask. I spin around to see her by the oven cooking something, a curious smile on her lips.
"I'm perfect." I can't stop smiling as I run over and sit up on the bench, not caring about the look she's giving me for doing so.
"How was the date?" Kiera asks when her look doesn't work to get me off the bench.
"Amazing." I state simply before giving in and having a little gossip session with her as she makes hokey pokey. My favourite. "Oh, his lips. Kiera, his lips were so good!"