“Hey you.”
Liam blinked at me and seemed speechless. I started walking toward him and he started to stutter.
“Bella, you look… you look….”
I stopped in front of him, just close enough to feel the heat of his body but refusing to reach out to him just yet. I didn’t really need to. Even without touching him I could feel the electricity in the air between us.
His eyes grew even wider, then he whispered, “Please tell me you feel that.”
Reaching out, I wrapped my arms around him and waited for him to draw me against him. His arms wrapped around my back and I met his gaze, smiling. Warmth seeped through me; it felt even better than fireworks and butterflies. Fireworks burst once and fade away, butterflies flutter for a minute and then fly away. What simmered between me and Liam was not fleeting. Our spark, it turned out, was the silent strength of the North Star, or the peace of the tide rolling in and out every day.
Liam
I’m not sure I can put into words how it felt when Isabella kissed me. When shereallykissed me. It was just the best moment of my life. I never wanted it to end. The world around us slipped away, and I tightened my hold on her. I am not sure what had happened since she had fled my house a couple of hours ago, but it was clear Isabella had been right. Our spark was no longer an issue. Our being in the middle of the street in front of her house was, however.
I wanted to kiss her for hours, days—weeks, even. Truth be told, I wanted much more than that. Her kiss made me feel strong and peaceful. Faith had been right. In the inferno that seemed to consume Isabella and I, it was the calmness that made me want her even more. Slowly I forced myself to withdraw from her. Her eyes flew to mine, clearly upset that I had ended the kiss.
“We finally have our spark, and you stop kissing me!”
I chuckled.
“Bella, trust me when I say it is far more painful for me to stop than you can imagine, but…”
Motioning to the street around us, I sighed.
“I’d prefer to live long enough to kiss you a million more times.”
Isabella blushed and finally understood that we were in a very public place at the moment.
“Sono un tale sciocco!”
Noise sounded down the street. The festival seemed like it was just about to get started. She looked toward the restaurant, which had set up a few tables and chairs outside and a huge stand to serve food. White outdoor lights had been strung between lampposts across the streets. There were people starting to gather and music starting to play. It was lovely.
“I should have thought this plan through.”
Laughing, I slipped my hand into hers and smiled. I couldn’t stop looking at her, to be honest. She was always beautiful, but she just left me completely breathless tonight.
“I cannot believe I am about to say this, but we seriously will need to limit physical contact tonight because there is only so much temptation I will be able to resist.”
Isabella sighed.
“I know. On the bright side, though, the festival will have so much food and so many things to do, our hands can keep busy.”
Physically putting distance between us to keep myself from throwing her in the car and running away, I looked down the street.
“Well, let the distraction begin!”
As we walked toward the festivities, I didn’t think my heart could handle all the happiness inside of me. Isabella had given me so many gifts over the past couple of months and, even though we were only in high school, I knew there was a full future ahead of us. There is nothing I wouldn’t do for her.
Her gorgeous eyes met mine and my heart started racing. I really never wanted to spend a minute without her.
“Was your brother upset that I ran away like that?”
“Richard doesn’t really have a lot of emotions. I honestly don’t think he really noticed. Sadly.”
She sighed, and I resisted the urge to pull her into an embrace. Instead, I looked at her curiously.
“Are you going to tell me where you ran off to?”
