Kris proceeded to retell the events of the day and while the facts of what transpired were still fuzzy in my mind, I was certain his version was highly embellished. Making me sound like Joan of Arc. Of course, Celeste ate the tall tale up, gawking at me, mouth wide. It was nice of him to make me the hero of the story and not the bumbling idiot. After dinner, Celeste twisted Kris’s arm and convinced him to stay and watchThe Hidden Singer. I’m sure he was probably vowing to never help me again, as a person dressed like a bumblebee belted out Anjeni’s “Love All Over Me.”
Now that I’d gotten Celeste’s schedule back on track with the help of Kris, it was time for her to get ready for bed. “Celeste why don’t you take your shower while I walk Kris out?”
To my surprise, Celeste didn’t object. She was probably just as tired as I was. “Bye Kris, see you next week.”
Sucking my lower lip into my mouth, I decided it best not to protest. Kris would not be a fixture at our Thursday night pasta parties. Outside my apartment door, I found myself at a loss for words.
“I really like your sister,” he offered, with that sincere smile of his.
“Most everyone does. If someone doesn’t like her, I take it as a sign to proceed with caution.”
“I imagine it must be hard having to take care of her all on your own.”
I gave a dismissive shrug. “I’ve been doing it my entire life, no big deal.”
“Just because you do something without complaining doesn’t mean it’s always easy.”
He was right, taking care of Celeste wasn’t easy but there was no use in complaining. I knew eventually I would become her primary caregiver. Granted at the time I thought it wouldbe years before that happened, but life was unpredictable. And when our dad passed, the responsibility became solely mine.
“She’s my baby sister, but I’ve looked up to her my entire life. Growing up, she was so funny and she came up with the best spots for hide and seek. I’ve lost count on how many times I’ve heard why can’t you be more like your sister. Less uptight, more trusting. She loves people with her whole heart; she doesn’t let past hurts or loss lessen the amount of love she’s willing to give. She just loves, it’s probably her best and worst quality. Sometimes she trusts the wrong people.” My features grew dark as I was reminded of how cruel some people could be. “But that’s why I’m here to protect her.”
“She’s lucky to have you.”
“We have each other,” I corrected him. Celeste was supporting me just as much as I was her. Shifting the conversation, I added, “Kris, thank you for everything. Saving me from Belvidere, carrying me to safety, getting me home in one piece. And then all that with Celeste and dinner. I can’t tell you how grateful I am.”
“No need to thank me. I enjoyed hanging out with you and I’m just happy you’re okay.”
“Because of you.” I rested my hand on his chest, wishing he wasn’t wearing a bulky pea coat.
“How’s your head?”
“Fine, it’s better,” I reassured him.
“So, if I kissed you right now…”
“You’re gonna kiss me?”
“I was thinking about it, yeah.” His hand found its way to my face, and he stroked my lips with his thumb. It took every ounce of my willpower not to open my mouth and allow him to slip his thumb inside. He closed his eyes while his thumb worked across my lips like he was trying to decipher a hidden message.
Every nerve in my body was screaming,Fuck me now.I wonder if he could sense it.My body had a mind of its own, gravitating closer until our bodies met. Kris cupped both sides of my face, leaning in, stopping only to offer a brief smile before his lips touched down onto mine. Inhaling deeply, I did my best to drink him in. His left hand now cradled the base of my neck, his fingers massaging the tendrils of hair that escaped from my ponytail.
Were we actually kissing or had the bump to my head caused side effects of hallucinations of the sexual variety? For the second time today, I was lightheaded. But on this occasion, it was all because of Kris’s touch. He was quite literally taking my breath away. Not a bad way to die if I do say so myself. If we weren’t in the hallway outside my apartment, I would be shedding his clothes so I could run my hands over his bare skin.
Tingles of goosebumps scaled my body as his hand drifted to my waist, finding an exposed swath of flesh. The sensation from his fingers and palm caressing my waist and lower back caused shivers to trip up my spine. I sighed into his mouth, muttering his name. His grip on my waist intensified, becoming more demanding.Was that his dick I felt pressing against me?Maybe all those years of practice kissing in my bedroom when I was a teenager had been worth it. Because I was driving him to semi-erect status just off the strength of my tongue game.
“Belen, it’s time for our face routine,” Celeste called from inside the apartment.
Pulling away, my thoughts were a bit scattered and disoriented. I leaned on the door frame for support, breathless and disheveled.
“Are you alright?” Kris asked. His breathing was also shallow.
“Yeah. I’ve got to go. Thanks for everything.” I scrambled inside before he could utter another word, locking the door behind me.
You knowthe butterflies that flutter in your stomach the night before your first day of school or right before an important business meeting? That was my insides right now, a ball of anxious nerves mixed with excitement rolling around the walls of my belly. I couldn’t wait to see Belen and was plotting out opportunities that would allow me to kiss her again. When I got to the mall, she wasn’t there. Chloe informed me she wouldn’t be in until later that morning.
Hopefully everything was okay and her concussion hadn’t taken a turn for the worse. After the spill she took yesterday, I wouldn’t blame her if she took a sick day to recover. I silently cursed myself, why didn’t I get her number? With that I could at least check in on her, and then there was the bonus of hearing her voice. Whipping out my phone, I did the next best thing, ordering a simple assortment of lilies to be delivered to her apartment.
Our relationship had been flirty before last night, but it was now clear Belen was feeling me as much as I was feeling her. She’d even felt comfortable enough to share about the loss of her father. When we first met, I remember her mentioningChristmas’s past being a letdown. After losing someone during the most festive time of the year, I’d probably hate Christmas too. I tried my best to offer words of consolation and hoped they helped in some small way.
