Romani Prince

Chapter 11: Out of Control

"I had no idea that it would feel like this... Touching and kissing you... Ohmygod! I almost screwed everything up!"

Looking just as overwhelmed and bewildered as I am, Luka watches me.  His chest rising and falling hard, slowly regaining control of his breathing.

God...  But he's so beautiful.

"But... wasn't this supposed to happen?  I mean... I want it!  I want you!"  I feel my cheeks burning.  

I've never been this bold, this aggressive, before.  I never felt like this with anyone.

"Did I... scare you?"  Maybe I was the one that screwed up.

Vehemently shaking his head, Luka runs a hand over his face.  "Hell, no!  I scared myself!  The chemistry was already incredible, to begin with!"  He leans forward, studying my face.  "Gaby!  You must know how attractive you are, don't you?"

Luka waits for a response, but I don't look into his eyes, simply shrugging my shoulders.

"I'm average, I guess...  Nothing like the blonde barbies on the beach with big blue eyes."

Luka huffs out a chuckle and smiles.  "You've got to be kidding, right?"

I frown, risking a quick glance.  I don't exactly try to get anyone's attention the way other girls do... Tons of makeup, cleavage, and long well-manicured nails.

Resting his elbows on his knees, Luka sounds surprised.  "The way the guys were eyeing you at the club, and then last night on the beach?"  His thirsty gaze roams my body and I instantly shudder in response.  "How men of all ages turned to gawk at you everywhere in town, today? ...You really don't notice, do you?"

I press my lips together and narrow my eyes at him, irritated.  "What I noticed, was all the women stripping you down with their eyes, wherever we went!"

Luka throws his head back, laughing wholeheartedly.  "Glad you were paying attention and feel my pain because men do a whole lot worse in their sick minds when they see you."

I push up on my knees and widen my arms.  "So, if I'm all that...  Why are you all the way over there?"

Luka gives me a sideways look, baring his teeth at me.

I catch the twitching of a muscle on his jaw as he swallows hard before answering.

"Because I need to cool off, Gabriella...  More than for any other man, it's very hard to control myself around you.  After all... you were made for me."

I inch a little closer.  "But... I don't want you to hold back!"  My voice continues in a soft susurrus when I boldly complete...  "I've been waiting for you, Luka."

Exhaling hard, Luka looks away and shakes his head.  "I know.  But you're my promise and we should wait.  We should do the right thing."

I'm getting exasperated.  Haven't I waited enough?  "Wait?  For what?  Marriage?  You already know how I feel about that kind of pressure!"

Luka shoots me a glare that quickly turns soft as he rolls his eyes.  "I want to do this right, Gabriella!"

"Right for who?"  I wave my arms in the air.  "Why do we need some priest to confirm what we feel for each other?"

With a low growl, it's Luka's turn to surprise me by pushing forward and taking my face in his hands.  "Then, tell me, mierea...  What do you feel about me?"

"Huh?"  Caught by surprise, my heart pounds violently inside my chest while my nails dig so hard into my palms that it hurts.

"Everything that you're feeling, Gabriella...  Put it all together and what does it become?"