Romani Prince

Chapter 7: Carl

Gathered around the big bonfire, listening to a couple of guys playing their guitars and singing Creep.

All cozied up in between Luka's legs and arms, I lean my back against his warm chest, as he holds a lock of my hair in his fingers, twirling it mindlessly.

He sings softly to the song close to my ear.   "You're just like an angel, your skin makes me cry..."  His free hand slides down my bare arm, getting a low groan out of me.  "I wish I was special, you're so fucking special..."

I feel his breath on my cheek and shivers run down my spine. 

 Oh... He's so good at... all this.

I lift my gaze to look in his eyes and the dazzling smile that he gives me reawakens this strange feeling of unrest deep inside.  

I want to kiss him so badly, but not yet...  Not when things aren't one-hundred percent over with Carl.

"But I'm a creeeep! I'm a weirdo!"  He raises his voice, joining everyone else while I roll my eyes, laughing.

"Yeah, you are..."

Luka kisses my cheek abruptly, then nuzzles my hair.   "And you're so fucking special..."

I throw my head back on his shoulder with a burst of laughter, dramatically placing a hand over my chest.  "Best compliment ever!"

Luka takes advantage of my exposed neck to drop a slow and soft kiss on my sensitive flesh.  "Right?"  He chuckles with me while never releasing that one strand of hair secured in between his fingers.

Our gazes lock again.  His eyes are always gleaming at me, but maybe... it's just the fire.

I'd rather think that it's because of me...

Our mouths are so close.  My smile quickly fades, replaced by an anxious heartbeat and trembling lips.

Luka's stare falls to my mouth and I instinctively lick my top lip, wanting, needing...

I see a muscle on his clenched jaw twitching.

"Not yet..."   His voice is so low and husky that I can barely hear it.

"I know..."  I murmur back.

Luka opens a larger-than-life smile while I take in a very, very long breath.

My head is in the clouds when I'm with him.

It all feels like a dream.

But then, my eyes meet with Mina's worried gaze from across the bonfire, and reality comes rushing in.

There haven't been any serious or sad conversations since before sunset.  It's been a relaxing and joyous evening among friends...

Until now.

"Gaby..."  All tangled up with some new cute guy wrapped around her, Miriam nudges my shoulder, signaling in the direction of the cars.

A new car has just arrived.

Luka stiffens around me, embracing me close to him.  "Carl."

We get up, and I wipe the sand from the back of my shorts.  I grab my things.

"Why do you have to leave with him? Talk here and drive back with us... with me."  Luka loops a finger inside one of the belt loops on my shorts and pulls me closer.

Our hips bump together.

It's an awkward moment for all of us... My soon-to-be boyfriend having to watch me go with my soon-to-be ex.