Nudging my lips once more, he asks for permission. I grant it to him by kissing him back, wanting to get lost in him than the voices in my head or the whispers flying in the air.
We kiss in front of everyone, not caring one bit about the number of eyes that are fixed on us.
Wanting to be close to him, I put my hands on his chest that’s burning hot and seek in its warmth. I want to infuse myself in his skin and hide.
I feel his hand open and sprawl over my back as he pulls me flush against him, just as his mouth kneads mine in a slow and long kiss that’s filled with the feeling I missed you.
I meet his strokes with equal passion and longing.
People murmur around us, but I only focus on him and my pounding heart.
When we pull away, I tuck my face in his chest. My breathing out of control.
The first thought that crosses my mind is,I will be the headline today.
Heath nuzzles his face in the side of my neck. I twist my head a little and meet his worried gaze.
Are you okay?
No.
Wrapping my arms around his waist I snuggle into him and he holds me tightly against him. Just being this close to him makes me feel okay. It’s like oxygen fills my lungs and I can finally breathe.
“I’m here. You have nothing to worry about.” He presses a kiss to my head. “I’ve got you.”
The voices around us get louder, and the scrutinizing gazes watch us in interest.
I shiver in his hold because I can hear them—or at least my head can, even when it’s made up.
She kissed him.
Is she dating him?
I knew she was a freak behind those books.
My heart scratches the walls of my ribs, desperate to get out and be free. But I keep it inside, hidden under my skin and alive with my blood.
You know you have to break up with, don’t you. My brain says.
The mere suggestion makes my heart clench. I don’t know how I’ll do it, but I have to. It’s the right thing to do. I truly believe it.
“Let’s get out of here,” Heath murmurs against my temple.
I give him a nod and start pulling away from him.
Grabbing my hand, he leads me out of the crowded hallway. People hardly spare us space to move and we bump into them, until Heath swipes out his arm and pushes everyone out of the way. The chatter picks up and I try to tune out every word that I hear.
I expect Heath to take me to his car, but he climbs up the stairs that lead to the library on the first floor.
When we pass by it, I stare at his back but he keeps going as if he has the perfect place in mind.
We climb another set of stairs, and another, before he pushes the door that opens to the rooftop. Dry, cold October air brushes against my skin and I draw in a deep, long breath, finding it easy that I can breathe.
Heath closes the door behind me. Leaning me against it, his mouth is on me and I just melt.
One hand settles on my waist and the other cups the back of my head as he kisses me long and deep, taking his sweet time with no care in the world.
Butterflies come alive in my stomach and wildly flutter around. I wonder if he gets butterflies, too? Or if the chemicals in his body mix up and reactions happen? Maybe, it’s only me who feels like she’s standing on the edge of the mountain peak and he’s in the air asking me to jump and I do without a second thought. Because I trust him.
