A Billion Stars

Chapter 13

My brain has never turned on quicker. The feeling of another's lips on mine pull me into fear and anticipation. In the past, what usually followed a kiss was heavy and rough hands on my body and no control. I pulled away from Ricky, trying to organize my thoughts and Ricky presses his forehead against mine. He looks a little worried, but as his gentle hands trace my features and run across my skin I sigh, the fog returning to my brain and the humming returning to my body. He's okay. He's safe. Ricky looks like he's about to say something, but before he can I press my lips to his again and he responds immediately. His mouth opens against mine and he kisses me softly, his lips creating a buzzing sensation against mine as the rest of my body tingles from his touch. The feeling is so addicting and so incredible that I push into him a little more to deepen the kiss and Ricky responds to my change of pace, pushing back and cupping my cheek a little more intensely. One of my hands traveling across his chest stops above his heart where I can feel it pounding and almost as if my hand over his heart reminds him, he pulls away for air and presses his forehead against mine. "Slow, we need to go slow." He rasps out and I let out a breath, gripping his thighs as he holds my face close to his. "Slow" I repeat, nodding against his forehead as he holds me tighter, breathing heavily. There's silence, except for our breaths and the pounding of my heart in my own ears, and I speak up. "Is it always like that?" I ask, referring to our kiss. I know that I didn't have to explain to him that he was the first person I felt like I was actually kissing. Two people, completely in sync and trading control. He shakes his head against mine and his breathing is shaky. "It's never like that Nins." He whispers out and I shudder, both from his confession and from his touch still creating goosebumps across my skin. I pull back and don't realize that he had his eyes closed against me, because his eyes flutter open when I look at him. He strokes my cheek gently and it looks like he doesn't know what to say. I bite my lip and he smiles softly. "I hate to say this, but I should probably head back to my place. My best friend is coming over to help me with a stage set up for my first semester gig in September and I really don't want to play twenty questions with him." He tells me softly, dropping his hands into my lap and looking at me tenderly. "Mr. Hotshot has his own stage manager working for him three months in advance?" I ask in shock and he laughs, rubbing his hands up and down my leg gently. "Yeah he gets paid a lifetime of friendship for helping me." He says and I smile, my face heating just a little. "I think that's what you earned today." I tell him honestly and he looks at me sympathetically. "I'd say that I don't earn anything, but that's something I actually want." He chuckles and I laugh. "Good, now leave before I make you stay longer." I joke and he smiles, his hand rubbing my thigh again before getting up. "You sure you're all good? I can stay, I'll just text Red-" I shake my head to cut him off and reach up to squeeze his hand. "You've done more than I could've ever asked someone to and I'm so grateful." I tell him softly and he nods, pulling me up to wrap his arms around me. His hug is warm and protected and I nuzzle my head into his neck. I swear I hear him sigh, but my heart was already pounding being in his arms and thinking about his content might lead to a heart attack. "Be ready tomorrow. We're going to the Santa Monica pier." He tells me when we pull back. I laugh and point at him. "Do I get your number yet?" I ask and he smiles, pushing his hair back. "On your counter. I'll see you tomorrow Nins." He tells me softly, giving me a little wave before leaving my apartment.

What the hell just happened?