Destined

Twenty Seven

To say he was surprised is an understatement. Hell, I was surprised too. He stood shock still for a moment, but I didn't move away, I didn't stop moving my lips against his. He tasted like peppermint and orange juice. And I loved it. It took him all of three seconds to grab me and kiss me back. And like everything he did, he took control, took charge, pulling me closer. He kissed me with abandon, like a starving man at a feast. So consuming was his kiss, that I forgot to breathe. I'm sure I forgot my name too.

I was suddenly so hot, from the inside, like a fire had started in my chest somewhere. My arms were around his neck, how they'd gotten there I was unsure. What I was sure of was the sound he made when I bit his lip. The way he moved his hands to my arms, caressing my back with his fingers in the process. The way he slowly pulled away from me, like it physically hurt him to do so. And then he stepped away holding my arms against the wall, as though he was afraid I'd touch him.

Once he seemed sure I wouldn't, he raised his hand to his mouth, brushing his fingers over his lips, like he couldn't believe we'd kissed.

"Listen," he said, his voice gruff. He cleared his throat. "That...that can't happen again. Not like this. Now get inside,"
"No,"
"Kristina..."
"I don't want him, Damien. I want you. I've always wanted you, I just want you, please just.."
"No! No, Kristina. I can't do that to you,"
"Do what?"
"This. Be with you,"
"Why not?"
"Can we not do this right now?"
"What are you so scared of? What changed?"
"I don't want to be with you," he wasn't even able to get the words out without sounding like he was chewing glass.
I laughed, "You're lying. Otherwise, why come tonight? You care about me, your dedication in the book says as much," I let myself believe it was for me, dear Lord, I prayed it was for me. "You want me, just as much as I want you, well, here I am, I'm offering myself on a platter, but you deny it, why?"

Mentally, I made a note to never drink again. At least not nowhere near him. It was giving me too much courage. So much that it bordered stupidity. It didn't just loosen my tongue it obliterated my filter.

"Kristina, don't make me carry you inside,"
"You're a coward,"
"Call me whatever you want, nothing you say can change my mind,"
"I love you," he froze, and so I kept talking. "I think I fell in love with you the day you first snuck into my room. And I fell a little harder every time since then. In class, in the library, in the hallway, every time I saw you, I just couldn't help but fall for you. Sometimes even literally," I laughed even though my eyes filled with tears. "I have never met someone so passionate about his job. You left your home to travel around the world just to give your writers the best out of your mind. Someone so magnanimous, so altruistic. I love you Vince. And I'm not taking that back,"
"Kristina," his voice cracked and for a moment, I let myself hope, I let myself float. And then he popped my bubble and sent me crashing. "I promise you, you'll get over it,"

I didn't have it in me to argue as he moved further away from me. I walked to the door, shakily, looked for the keys in my purse and after unlocking the door, I went in without looking back at him.

"Lock the door, Kristina," his voice carried through.

I did and didn't move until I heard him leave. Then I went upstairs and collapsed on my bed and slept. At least that's what I thought I did. We'll come back to what really happened later.

Leave it to Talia to wake me up early in the morning like she hadn't been out later than I.  She came over, bright eyed and bushy tailed, already dressed while I was just beginning the workings of a hangover.

"You have some serious explaining to do, young lady," she said as I brushed my teeth. "I left you with Matthew for five minutes and I return to find you leaving with Mr. Hunky Pants,"
"Must you remind me?" I complained.
"Why was he there?"
"I called him," I admitted as I tied my hair up and got dressed in shorts and a t shirt.