Meant to Be

Chapter 23

Chapter 23

His lips crashed onto mine, sending a jolt of surprise through me before I responded just as fierce. I fisted his hair with my hands, pulling him closer. That spark was a hum of energy coursing from each of our bodies, striking like lightning everywhere we touched. It seemed to change in intensity to the beat of my heart.

I was practically drunk off his kisses, losing myself in his arms as my brain fuzzed over. It took mere seconds for him to take me away from the world, from my room, from my past. It was just me and him, now.

I didn’t care if I was barely able to breathe, for every kiss seemed to give me a rush of adrenaline. It almost seemed like what we were doing was forbidden, though that was impossible. It seemed that he could feel it too though, and he kissed me like a starved animal, no pun intended.

It was like we were making up for lost time, but also starting anew.

When he pulled away, it took some force to pry me off of him, and I blushed a little as he looked at me in amusement.

“It’s too early to have these kinds of feelings, Luna.” He smiled a small smile, his gaze boring into mine as he said, “But I can’t help it. Ever since I saw you at the bonfire, I couldn’t get you out of my head. I could only think of you, how your hair gleamed a fiery red in the firelight, how your brilliant and stunning green eyes seem to see straight through me…” He seemed so overcome with emotion, and I brought a hand up and caressed his cheek. He grabbed my hand and held it there, “As soon as I saw you, I had to know you. I just didn’t expect to hurt you like I had that night. You occupied every thought all summer, and I hated how I couldn’t just walk up to you and tell you how I felt.”

“Shh…” I quieted him, a smile on my face as my eyes started to water a little. “I wish I could say I thought about you all the time…” His smile fell a little, causing mine to fall too. “But I don’t keep anybody close to me. Ever since… they… died, I swore to never hurt like that ever again. The only solution to never suffering from heartache was to never let anybody in in the first place.” I suddenly couldn’t look him in the eye, “I pushed you away just like I did everyone else. I don’t know why I would be so cruel as to let myself become friends with your sister but push you away. I’m so sorry, Nate! I tried to shake away any feelings for you, but every time I saw you, every time we touched or talked I would fall for you even more. Nate, I want you to know that I’m not like most girls. I’m not hot, I’m not a sporty person, I have no experience with dating, and I’m not normal either.”

He gently grabbed my chin and tilted my face upwards so I would look him in the eye. “I know you’re not normal, Luna, and I wouldn’t have you any other way. You are hot Luna, no matter what you think. I don’t care that you aren’t some snobby cheerleader, and just so that you know, I’m new at this dating stuff too.” His eyes softened, “You’re you, Luna.”

“You’re too sweet.” Was all I could say, flattered and nervous after we had confessed our feelings for each other. Then it hit me, “Wait, did you just imply we’re dating…?”

I blushed as he smirked at me, “Do you want me to get down on one knee? Ha, kidding.” I laughed with him, “But with all seriousness… Luna? Will you be my girlfriend?”

My breath caught in my throat, and my mouth went dry. All I could do was nod, and then I did it again, then again. I smiled from ear to ear, not being able to believe what was happening. “YES!” I laughed with a mixture of shock and amazement.

He chuckled, and leaned forward so our foreheads touched. “I’ve been waiting all summer for this, Luna...”

“I surrender.” I laughed.