We sat and joked as I listen intently as he talked. He went ahead and ordered ice cream, which leads us to talk about some of our favorites. I got to learn about some of his past. He grew up in Illinois and then live in Utah for less than a year. He told me that he had no particular reason to move there in the first place except, for the nice weather.
He then moved to Paramount for a new job. For some weird reason, I felt like shared something in common. I told him about my experiences while living in Mane, and this leads us to talk about places we'd like to visit one day.
I sat there looking at him. Trying not to be noticeable, I dreamily scanned his dark brown hair, soft shaped jaw, and bony cheeks. However, I aimed for his Thin lips are slightly slender and that seemed to match every time he smiled. I was gleed slightly. Playing it cool.
"Well I'm almost done, and it's getting late. How about I walk you to the bus stop?" He asked. I guess he realized it was really late. I had really enjoyed the desserts, it was fabulous. Undeniably, George was even more so enjoyable.
"Sure," I said.
We left the cake store and began to walk to the nearest bus stop for me to take. The night sky was aglow with bright city lights, with what warmth that remains of the autumn sun. We took our time as we walked slowly, as we did not say anything much to each other.
We walked along the even pavement in silence. It was as if we were trying to seemingly break our minds to find some way of continuing the conversation we were having before. However, I then find the silence easy, and companionable though, and neither did it feel awkward. It was a short walk. Yet, I could feel both of us wanted it to be longer.
We weaved through the crowd that pass us by to arrive at the bus stop we were aiming for. Just as we arrived, a couple stood beside each other holding hands and hugging each other. We looked at the steady flow of cars passing us by, with the dutiful flow of people coming to where we were.
I breathed in deeply, calming myself. I stood near him taking the chance to cool down my anxiousness to speak again. Maybe I was cooling down too much as I felt my skin start to shiver. Not waiting for a response Geroge placed a calming hand on my shoulder, and immediately the sensation stopped.
I looked up. "You alright?" George asked.
I smiled at him with a nod. My face lit up with an inner sparkle, and he could not help but grin back at me.
"Soraya," he said.
"George," I answered, unconsciously holding back the few strands that were loose to the corner of my ears.
"Today was a lovely evening," he said. I couldn't help but wonder what was he thinking. I needed to gather myself without him clouding my senses. Feelings like this were very easy to overlook and make me overwork.
"I could say so myself," I said. He then released me, and I couldn't help feeling cold again, but his eyes keep dancing on me.
I bite my bottom lip and consider whether I should play with fire, I just didn't want to get burnt. Jada had always said that was a load of crap and that was no way to live one's life. Instead, she thought the fire was meant to play with and we just had to learn to control it. So, if we got wet. We just should learn how to start it back again.
"What.., something wrong with my hair?" Sound like a whiny little girl, crushing the silence between us. He chuckled.
"Other than the fact your hair is unruly, wild, and covers your face in little wind," he stated. "I like it," he whispered this time.
I zeroed my eyes on him ready to take aim.
"What did you say?" I said in a thunderous whisper.
"Um… nothing!" He hides behind his words.
"Mr. Smooth strikes again eh?" I muttered in an equal whisper.
"Wow," he groans softly, and a small laugh escapes my lips.
"But, of course," I mused, shooting a sly glance at George. "Can I trust you?"
"Yes, but if you don't want to risk it, it's fine..." I sighed, I felt like I could trust him.
I had been in relationships that made no sense. I always waited and timed everything. Then eventually, I would just give up. 'Stop, living fear!' I could hear Jada's scream. Yet I was never like her to jump in and make choices without thinking about the consequences thereafter. Jumping into the unknown, shaping your future, or should I hide and wait?
I wasn't looking for a relationship now, because it is inevitable that it would be time to get to know the other half. Normally I would take my time and get to know the truth. I knew everything takes time, and these were the precious few things that I would have to give my time to.
I standing beside him. I didn't want to wait, on timing, for the exact moment. My mind raced again. How do I even stop that?
'You have given yourself enough time,' I could hear Jada's thoughts. Why wait, when you could live in the now? She always relishes the moment, while I preserve it. I thought, he has been so charming what problem could I cause if I release just one thing?
"The thing is… I feel vulnerable whenever I am near you. Sometimes I cannot focus, I get nervous when I'm around you..."
"I-I never …," he stammered. He faced me fully. "I regret saying you were shy." I rolled my eyes. After I shared part of myself, this is what he says.
"How is that so?"
"I am sorry about that… maybe I'm the one that needs to find the courage to face you." l took a deep breath.
I buried my hands in my coat's pockets, pressing till I couldn't feel the end of it anymore. I smiled softly. This felt amazing and yet knew this feeling all too well. My insides felt soft, yet I felt so confident. I tilted my head up again.
"I thought… maybe, we can like… hang out sometime," I asked.
"There you go again. Are you asking me out on a date, Soraya?" he answered. My breath is locked in my throat. I can feel my hard chest as if it wanted to burst. His mountain lakes stare into mine. I could not prevent the small smile that graced my face.
"Aww, were you smiling?" he asked, grinning stupidly.
"No," I replied swiftly.
"Liar."
"No."
"Liaaaar," He drags on.
"I am not," I grumbled, crossing my arms. I gazed away pretending to look for a bus.
"Okay. Okay. Let's just say… I'm willing to just go on a date with a beautiful young lady like yourself," he pouted, tilting his head toward me in a questioning fashion. "Is it possible for me to get a kiss?"
I wobbled a little, leaning sideways. I was trying to figure out if he was serious or if was he teasing me.
"Why?" my voice sounded feeble.
"It is cold.," He stared at me, waiting for an answer. Why would he say that? I had no idea.
"Is it?" I manage to say, suddenly realizing my temperature was rising.
"Maybe I could warm you up." Again with that grin.
"Haha. Is that what you call a pick-up line?" I asked my eyes blinked rapidly, moving from his eyes to his lips.
"Actually, no. I was being serious," his face seemed to be completely neutral. My eyes widen in surprise. What does that mean? Warm you up, with a kiss. Plus he called me beautiful. I wanted to stride off, but I couldn't move. Could he tell how nerve-racking I was feeling?
"Wai-"
"Shhh," I put my index finger on his lips. "Don't say another word."
I find myself smiling. There was a thought. If he was teasing me, I wouldn't let him think I was taking that bait. I was not well-versed in seducing men, but somehow I wanted to do that. I sighed internally, Jada made it sound so easy... too easy. I thought I was crazy. Would I be going too far, but then again he did ask.
I ruffled through my bag, took out my lipstick, and reapplied it on my lips like a pro. George seemed shocked glaring at me as if he was tempted. He clenched his jaw and momentarily looked straight ahead as if to remove his eagerness.
"Isn't it too late for that now, don't you think?" George said quickly, losing his breath.
"I guess time will tell," I said, finishing applying. His eyes darted back at me thoughtfully.
"You… really shouldn't have," he seemed to whisper to me, descending into my eyes. George could not help but blush with pride, and I grinned at him.
"I did, so deal," I said. I was his prey, yet it felt like it was the opposite. He could easily do want he wanted, and I couldn't. My eyes retreated after staring at him for so long.
I continued to look for any bus that may come my way, then one finally did. It stopped and opened its doors. Persons simultaneously stepped in and took entry. I gave George a final look and smiled.
"Good night George," I said as I turned to make to way into the bus. Without hesitation he grabbed my nearest hand, I stopped immediately as I came to face him. He had stepped in closer and literally into my space. With that, it felt like the air left us.
Immediately my heart was beating faster as his face came up to my own. I had teased him to this point, but for a moment I thought he wouldn't. Then he stopped to look at me. I knew right there and then that if he did what I think he would do, I would unutterably lose my mind. It seemed like he waited, listening for my objection, but I had none. Then George leaned in and I unconsciously did the same.
Our lips met, and I could suddenly feel everything. Not just the pressure of his lips but the way my body instinctively leaned into his. His hand sensually cupped my face and other around my waist, a feather-light pressure. In that moment of the kiss, our chemistry became an ever-bright flame. The heat throughout my body, the pleasure, my mind was floating. I can almost hear the toxicity flowing through my veins, from which I can obtain so much bliss.
He released me and I stared at him wondering if I should let go. But this time there's something in his eyes, shining far too blue. Wildness, rage, passion, sweet… hot. With a quick movement that I can barely register, he leans from me a bit, with a wry smile crossing his face.
"Good night, Soraya," he whispered back at me.
I brought my hands to touch his cheeks before leaving. As soon as I left, I sat at the nearest window to get a final glimpse as he looked at me smiling. Out of sight, I rubbed my fingers tips over my lips squealing internally.