A Sliver of Infinite

chapter 11- pt. 2

Pulling into his driveway, I peer over to my house. I wonder what my mom would be thinking if she knew I ditched out on the dance early and was hanging out with Dane. Her face would be in total shock if she could move it. Too much Botox will do that. She was already upset enough that I didn't accept any dates, but I'm just not one for faking it like she is. Unfortunately, what I have been getting good at is lying to her about where I am. Yet again, I'm staying at Gabby's tonight.

As we sneak up the stairs and into his flat, he flips on the light and I am blown away by the stark contrast in appearance. His place is meticulously clean. Way cleaner than it was the last time I was here. There's an odor of an odd, but delightful, mix of lemon and lavender. From the dark hardwood floors to the antique furniture pieces he's selected, the place always felt so historically warm and charming. His reading nook with the library of classics, a set of wingback chairs and beautiful Persian rug really made it all come together. It all looks so spectacular again.

"Expecting guests?" I ask, insinuating it's been awhile since I've seen his place this immaculate.

"Well, I'd hoped." He shrugs as he smiles shyly. Walking backwards, weaving his fingers through mine, he pulls me into his embrace. "Besides, if you hadn't come, my surprise would've been a waste of about three hours of my time."

"Surprise?" I question, cocking my brow, looking around him.

I went from being a third wheel date to becoming someone's main priority of the night, and I would've been lying if I said it didn't feel amazing.

He walks me over to the edge of the bed and sits down, patting the spot next to him. I start to sense there's something he needs to say to me first and my heart starts racing in anticipation.

"Listen Kodi," he starts, holding my hands in his, turning himself to face me. "I know I've been a little distant lately, but you have to know, I'm just fighting my own battles right now. It has nothing to do with how I feel about you. I'm just trying to be my best self. For you."

"How do you feel about me, Dane?" I ask directly, feeling I know the answer, but he's such a mystery sometimes, a direct response would help this aching anxiety that's constantly coursing through me.

He takes a deep breath, then begins, "When we moved here, I didn't know anyone. I was caught in the middle of my parents nasty divorce and was often used as a pawn between them. I had nothing left. I was sad, broken, and literally left with no one in a time when I needed all the help in the world."

I sigh, wincing my eyes at his pain before he continues, a hopeful and eager look taking over his expression.

"Then, this cute, little girl with a spunky personality and curiosity for the world around her, changed everything. Getting to know you for the person you are and becoming such good friends when we were kids was not at all what I expected. I mean, we're polar opposites, but it was just what I needed at that time. You were never put off by my closed-off personality, you were never afraid of me like everyone else. You tell me when I'm being a dick or when I'm being arrogant or stubborn."

I smile slightly at that, shrugging.

"No one can put me in my place like you can. You've always accepted me for who I am and never expected me to compromise that in any way, only selflessly wanting nothing but the best for me. I've pushed you away. I ignored you when you were all I could think about. I felt I had to. I couldn't have you involved in my issues, my struggles. I wanted better for you. When school began and you were starting to make new friends, I was worried you'd change, you'd look at me like everyone else. But no one can change you, Kodi."

He squeezes my hands, and I feel his nervousness.

"My life hasn't been easy and there are a lot of things about me you still don't know. I know I'll never be good enough for you, but I've realized no one will be better."

My eyes are full of tears, my heart overwhelmed, as he continues to pour his entire soul out to me, waiting for me to catch it.

"I love you, Kodi, with every cell, every atom, every fiber that makes me whole. You are the only thing that means everything to me," he confesses, swallowing, as his voice cracks.

"Dane," I whisper, the tears spilling over, running down my cheeks.I'm overwhelmed by his admission. I never knew I needed him like this. We've always been so consciously aware of one another. Our love was inevitable. We were drawn to each other before we knew what it meant. Now, figuring it all out, it feels too surreal to be just a coincidence.

I reach for him, grabbing him behind his neck and pulling him into my parted lips. Without a thought, my body instinctively takes over. I need him, in the most primal way. There were no doubts, no nerves, just the most overpowering desire to consume all that is him.

I straddle his lap, hiking my dress up above my thighs to get as close to him as I can. He assists me by steadying and wrapping his arms around my lower back, pulling me into his body.

A soft groan escapes his lips as he squeezes me tighter, hands running lower, exploring my curves. With his eyes dilated, his breath quickening, he looks deep into me, craving something that is purely physical and primal.

Quickly, yet gently, he flips me onto my back as he eases his weight on me. He continues his sweet attack on my neck, making his way back to my lips again, parting them gently, softly massaging my tongue with his. I grip the back of his hair, prompting him to deepen our kiss, as his hand continues exploring my body.

"Wait, wait...baby wait," he says, pulling apart from our kiss with his hands raised in the air, standing.

I sit up on the edge of the bed, questioning him with my eyes. What did I do wrong?

He gives me a reassuring smile, while holding up a finger to me, asking me to wait, as he walks over to the lamp, turning the light off, leaving us in total darkness.

Um...okay, he doesn't want to see me naked. I'm fat and ugly.

Not even a second later, he hits a second switch, eliciting a gasp from my lungs. This time, the entire ceiling lights up in a beautiful, twinkling display. Strings of light cross over one another, leaving a surreal scene above us.

"My surprise..." he states with a grin, walking back over to me.

"You brought me our stars," I whisper, my chest tightening.

I've never in my life felt so loved.

"Somehow, in all of our infinite, our souls have found each other," he says, inches away from me, foreheads now touching.

"I love you Dane," I say, staring deep into those chocolate eyes, feeling so sure of this new emotion.

It's blissful, exciting, and completely terrifying all at the same time. I've handed him my heart, trusting he knows what to do with it. His face is overcome with emotion at hearing those words come out of my mouth. Bringing me back into his passionate kiss, we fall into our own nirvana.

The rest of the evening was spent connecting in the most intimate form. I could never admit it was just sex, when inside, it felt deeper than that. We truly embraced one another, mind, body, soul.

There was no separation that could come between us. We had now evolved into something neither of us could be on our own. The feeling was overpowering. Out of our simplistic minded world. Reaching a new level of consciousness that we weren't even capable of comprehending. It was bigger than us. A force more powerful than anything we could've anticipated.

The oversimplified word of love couldn't even touch it.

We held each other, staring into our makeshift universe until the sun rose, and unfortunate reality seeped it's way in through the window. Things were about to change, my subconscious felt it. Just as new seasons come and go, there was a rift of excitement yet anxiousness in the air. Little did we know, the harshness of winter was upon us in more ways than one. The darkening of the day was here.