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“Why did you ask me out?”
“When snake woman attacked, you hardly flinched.”
“You know how often women have—“
“Serious.” Damn, EO played for keeps.
“Being normal, especially in Vanguard, you either live in fear or go with the flow.”
“You stared down a villain. Then you stared down Eclipse.”
“He’s an ass.”
“And yet, you got uncomfortable when that guy asked for a second date. You’re either a master actor, or you’re brave when you need to be, but you still care about people. Consider me intrigued.”
“And I thought it’s because I’m—“
“Hot? Yeah, that doesn’t hurt.” If I didn’t know better, I’d say he could read minds or perhaps predict the future. I’d have to research black matter when I got home. I’m sure Wikipedia could answer, “Does exposure to black matter give me the ability to read minds?”
“What about your husband?”
“Ju—Stonewall,” he corrected the slip of the tongue quickly. “He’s the one who encouraged me to ask.”
“But—“
“This is new for you?”
I answered by turning into the sunlight. It had risen enough that it was nearly impossible to see the city through the searing light. I had more questions than I could sort through. Most of them I feared would make me look foolish or naïve. I might have a PhD in the bedroom, but I remained willfully ignorant to any relationship that wasn’t part of prime-time sitcoms.
“I’d like to answer what I can.”
Like a guardian angel, I could hear Bernard’s voice whispering over my shoulder. He’d tell me to live in the moment and meter out my insecurities instead of letting them ruin a majestic moment. Papi had a point. This sexy man had saved me multiple times in a single night, and I was putting fear in front of what could be a wonderful moment.
“Later. If you don’t mind.”
I stepped closer to him, our arms touching. I leaned my head on his shoulder. The sharp edges of his costume made it less than comfortable, but as he slid his arm around my waist, giving me a squeeze, it didn’t matter. Alone on the Eiffel Tower made this dangerously close to the ending scene of a Hallmark movie. When he leaned his head against mine, my chest tightened. Roll the end credits; we had reached a perfect conclusion to the night.
It lasted for minutes until I feared the orbs in my vision would become permanent. Time was running out for our moment. Eventually, one of us would comment on needing to return to Vanguard City, and this would become another memory. I wouldn’t forget it anytime soon, but—
He broke the silence. “We should—“
“Not yet.”
I spun about, the sun to my back, unable to make out his face while my eyesight adjusted. I held my hand against his cheek, the softness of his beard against my palm. My thumb touched the edge of his lips, providing a destination. As I leaned in, I swore he smelled of sandalwood and leather. He cupped my face as he met me halfway, our lips barely grazing one another.
I leaned forward, expecting to find a taste that matched the scent of his beard. EO pulled back, just far enough to avoid a first kiss. I would have retreated except for the tightening of the skin at the edge of his mouth, a grin if I ever felt one. I lingered like a school child waiting for their first kiss behind the bleachers.
EO tasted like cinnamon.
His lips pressed against mine, his mustache tickling the underside of my nose. When he parted his lips, he slowed, holding my bottom lip between his teeth. He didn’t move as he held me in place. The entirety of Europe mirrored me as I held my breath, savoring the sensation of this beautiful man seizing control of the moment.
We broke apart. I could tell by his expression, that this outing had reached its end. Was I being selfish as I considered asking him to stay for another hour, maybe two? The kiss had been wonderful, but there was a list of things I wanted to do to him,withhim. I wanted to check as many boxes before...
Before? What? He left? Returned home to Stonewall? My brain picked at the moment until it found the insecurity. Just like that, standing on the Eiffel Tower, watching the sunrise with a handsome man, didn’t seem to outweigh the reality.
“Penny for your thoughts?”
I forced a weak smile. “Nothing, just in my head. I had a good time.”
