to face him. My breath instantly hitches when he places both hands softly on my cheeks.
“I know we had a rough night tonight. And I’m sorry for ruining the second half of your game. I really wanted today to be perfect for you.”
“It was,” I say, a little bit breathlessly because standing so close to Zack again has already re-ignited the feeling I felt earlier. “My night wasn’t ruined at all.”
He opens his mouth to speak and closes it quickly. I watch him take a deep breath as if he’s searching for the right words to use.
“We are only just getting to know each other, but in the short time we have, there has never been a moment where I have not been impressed by you. I know you’ve been through a whole lot over the last year and if all you can give me right now is friendship, I’ll gladly take it. I just want you to know I want more. I don’t know if this is the right time to tell you or not, but I think you’re beautiful. You are the most beautiful, down-to-earth, funny, smart, and kind woman I have ever had the privilege of knowing.”
I freeze slightly when he pauses. His eyes darken, right in front of me and I can once again feel the tension between us crackling. I wonder if there’s an actual physical sound to what I feel, because to me it feels like a large fire is just beginning to build. I’m blown away by this man in front of me, who is admired by thousands of people, all over the world, declaring his feelings towards me.
I’m stunned I don’t feel scared by the words he says.
“There is nothing I want more right now than to kiss you. But our night didn’t end the way I wanted it to, and I’m not sure you’re ready. Yet.” His thumb moves from my cheek and slowly moves along my lower lip. I watch him sigh, as if he’s struggling to stop himself from taking me right here on the bus living room floor. My legs go numb at the thought of what it would be like to have Zack, in that way.
He sighs again, but this time it sounds more defeated. Resigned. His hands drop to my waist and he simply lowers his forehead to mine.
“Good night, Nicole. Sleep well.” He turns to leave the room, and as he walks away, I know he’s wrong. Because I’m completely ready for anything he has to give me, and I want to make sure he knows.
“Zack?” I walk towards him when he stops and turns around to face me again.
In the few steps it takes me to reach him, I watch the features on his face change from apprehension, to something else much more desirable. I don’t think about what I’m doing. I don’t stop to wonder if I should feel guilty, or if he’s right and it isn’t the right time, and all this is happening too soon. In this moment, all I want is to feel him. It’s a want that burns deep in my chest whenever I look at him and I want to be closer, to know him more.
I feel no guilt and no remorse, just pure, unadulterated want when I reach him and pull him to me. “I’m ready.”
He looks into my eyes searching for an answer. I gaze back intently because I want him to see that I am not afraid. I want him to know how badly I want him; how much I want to get to know him. How happy he has made me these last few days.
A brief flicker of a smug grin crosses his lips before he lowers his head.
His lips are warm and soft when they touch mine. He starts off timid; slow and tender. I hesitate only briefly feeling the touch of another man’s lips on mine. I feel his tongue wipe gently across my lower lip and I part mine in response. A low groan escapes my mouth as his tongue softly enters my mouth. We cautiously explore each other as I feel his grip on my waist tighten even further and one of his hands move to the back of my neck..
“God you taste amazing,” he murmurs against my lips before going back for more.
The fire I felt beginning earlier, feels like it’s blazing out of my control and my hands move up to his hair, tugging him even closer into