Chereads / 14 Days of Valentine / Chapter 28 - Part 28: Afloat on love's sea

Chapter 28 - Part 28: Afloat on love's sea

(A little steamy....you should know.)

I've read in books and seen in movies that the places we visit hold traces of our memories. These memories can be triggered by revisiting those locations or encountering familiar scents, sounds, or sights associated with them. It's fascinating how our minds can weave specific memories and emotions into physical spaces, creating a profound sense of nostalgia and attachment.

The same could be said of Nick's kitchen. Despite its modern renovations, every inch of it still holds echoes of the memories and emotions from that day I first came to his house. As I stood there, the sound of our laughter seemed to linger in the air. I could almost see it as if it were a film reel—us running around, playfully throwing flour at each other like mischievous children.

I remembered how he had held my waist and effortlessly lifted me onto the counter, just so he could gently wipe the flour from my eyes. It was also the moment of our first kiss.

At the thought, my hand moved instinctively to my lips, a small smile spreading across my face. I closed my eyes, savoring the sweetness of that stolen moment.

The warmth of his touch and the taste of his lips lingered in my memory, creating a deep sense of longing. I could still feel the sensation of his arms around me, holding me close as we...

"I thought the popcorn had turned into huge monsters and gobbled you up," Nick's voice came from behind me, startling me and making me jump in surprise. I turned around to find him standing there with a mischievous grin.

"You scared me!" I exclaimed, my heart still racing from the sudden interruption.

"Where was your mind wandering off to?" he asked, his grin widening. I blushed, realizing where my thoughts have been.

As if he could read my thoughts, Nick looked at me with a knowing glint in his dark eyes, as if he'd just figured something out.

"Um, the popcorn," I said quickly, turning to the cabinet to grab a bag before he could tease me further. I reached up, only to find the popcorn tucked away at the top of the cabinet, making me wonder if he had deliberately placed it there to provoke me.

Who puts a bowl of popcorn in the highest cabinet? Even on tiptoe, I still couldn't reach it. And why wasn't he doing anything to help?

Frustrated, I was about to turn to Nick when I felt his presence close behind me. His chest pressed against my back, his warmth enveloping me. He leaned in, his breath teasingly warm against my neck as he placed one arm on the counter, caging me in, while his other arm reached up with effortless grace to retrieve the bowl of popcorn.

"Let me help you with that," he murmured, his voice a deep, velvety whisper that sent a delicious shiver down my spine. The intimate closeness of his body and the brush of his breath transformed a simple task into an electrifying moment, making the air between us thick with unspoken tension.

Here's an adjusted version that enhances the seductive and intense atmosphere of the scene while smoothing out the flow:

The closeness of our bodies stirred familiar sensations in me, making my heart race and my cheeks flush. I became acutely aware of his strong physique and the way his arm brushed against mine, sending electric shivers through my skin. The feeling was both thrilling and nerve-wracking, leaving my thoughts in a disarray.

"Thank you," I managed to stammer as he handed me the bowl of popcorn. His gaze was so intense it felt like he could see right through me, and I couldn't help but wonder what was on his mind.

As I reached for the bowl, my hand brushed against his, and his touch lingered—just a moment longer than necessary.

Going back to the living room, we both settled snugly on the couch, ready to watch the movie of my choice.

"Vampire Academy, huh? Never heard of it," Nick said, taking his place beside me—just a little closer than necessary—and resting his arms on the back of the couch. His proximity felt unexpectedly comforting.

With a slight smile, I replied, "Vampire Academy." I watched as he raised an eyebrow. "For a moment, I thought it was going to be The Vampire Diaries," he said, his tone teasing.

"You've watched The Vampire Diaries?" I asked, genuinely surprised.

"I mentioned I have a soft spot for fantasy series," he shrugged nonchalantly, his casual demeanor making it clear he was comfortable with the topic.

"But Vampire Academy sounds interesting too. What's it about?" he asked, leaning in slightly, his interest piqued.

"I've never watched it myself. This will be my first time," I admitted.

"But from what I've heard, Vampire Academy is about a school for vampires and their half-human protectors, known as dhampirs," I explained. "It's packed with action, romance, and supernatural elements. I've been meaning to check it out."

Nick nodded, clearly intrigued by the premise. With a grin, he pressed the play button, and the room fell into a comfortable silence, punctuated only by our soft breathing as the opening credits began to roll.

I'd always known Lizzy had excellent taste in movies and series. As the film started, I was instantly drawn into the plot and mesmerized by the stunning visuals. The intricate world-building and complex characters captivated me, making it impossible to tear my eyes away from the screen.

We occasionally burst into laughter, and Nick proved to be a surprisingly animated movie watcher. He kept asking questions as though I had seen the film before. I didn't mind; his curiosity made the experience more enjoyable.

There were some kissing scenes that made me awkwardly shift in my seat, but thankfully, they weren't too intense—at least, that's what I thought. The next scene, however, caught me completely off guard.

It was an intense, intimate scene that took me by surprise. They were kissing, basically eating each other's mouths, getting half naked, and making out. Watching such a scene is never a problem when alone, but with the guy that I was crazy attracted to sitting next to me, it became incredibly uncomfortable.

I could feel my face flushing and my heart racing as I desperately tried to appear nonchalant. The awkward tension between us made it nearly impossible to concentrate on the movie, and I found myself silently wishing for a distraction or an escape route.

I turned my gaze away from the screen to look at Nick, hoping to gauge his reaction. To my surprise, I found him already staring at me with an intensity that suggested he had been watching me rather than the movie all along. His eyes seemed to pierce through the awkwardness, making the moment even more charged.

His gaze was both intense and captivating, leaving me feeling a mix of fluster and intrigue. I couldn't help but wonder what was running through his mind and if he was experiencing the same overwhelming awkwardness that I was. As the seconds ticked by, the silence between us grew more suffocating, and I found myself desperately yearning for a way to break it and ease the tension.

"T...the...the movie," I stammered, trying to regain my composure and redirect his attention back to the film. But his unwavering gaze remained locked on me, making my words falter and causing me to hold my breath, bracing myself for what might come next. I swallowed hard, finally exhaling as if I had been holding my breath for too long, trying to steady myself in the charged atmosphere.

"I'd rather watch you," he said, his voice low and earnest.

I looked at him in surprise. "Do you know how fascinating your facial expressions are?" he continued, his fingers gently cradling my jaw. "It's like watching a live show—every little shift, every blush. It's captivating." His face was so close that his warm breath brushed against my skin as he spoke.

"Beautiful," he murmured, the back of his hand lightly brushing against my cheek. The soft touch sent a shiver down my spine, and my eyes grew heavy, my breath coming in labored, hot gasps.

The room seemed to shrink around us, the intensity of the moment making everything else fade away. His gaze locked onto mine, filled with an emotion that made my heart race even faster. I could feel the magnetic pull between us, making it almost impossible to look away.

"I..." I started, my voice barely a whisper, but the words seemed to get lost in the charged silence. The air between us crackled with anticipation, and I could barely contain the fluttering sensation in my chest.

His eyes never left mine as he leaned in just a fraction closer, the space between us narrowing. "You have no idea how much I've wanted to say that," he said softly, his lips almost brushing mine.

His hand on my cheek slowly made its way towards my lips, and his thump gently grazed against my bottom lip, making my heart race even faster. I couldn't help but part my lips slightly, trying to find air to breathe amidst the overwhelming intensity of the moment.

"I miss the taste of your lips." His voice was a mere whisper, but it echoed through my entire being, reigniting the fire that had been smoldering within me.

"You also miss it, right? I know that's what you were thinking of in the kitchen," he said, his voice gruff with desire, and as if a switch button were pressed, memories of our passionate kisses flooded my mind, and he was right. I yearned to feel his lips against mine once again, to taste the sweetness that only he possessed.

"I want to kiss you badly, pretty one. Can I kiss you?" The words hung in the air, charged with an intoxicating tension that left me breathless. His gaze was intense, his voice husky with desire, and the moment felt suspended in time.

I leaned in closer, my heart pounding with anticipation. Every inch between us seemed to burn with longing, and I could barely contain the fluttering excitement coursing through me. My voice emerged as a whisper, soft and trembling, "Yes."

The instant my words left my lips, his expression softened into a look of raw, unfiltered emotion. His lips brushed mine in a tentative, lingering kiss that was both tender and electrifying. It was as though every touch conveyed a thousand unsaid words.

His hand on my face went from gentle to firm, pulling me closer as our lips moved in perfect sync. Every touch and every kiss ignited a fire within me that I couldn't contain. It was a moment of pure bliss, and I never wanted it to end. He pulled me to him, and I melted into his embrace as I lifted myself up and sat on his lap, stranding him. Our bodies pressed tightly together.

I gasped when he stood up with me in his arms, my arms around his neck, and my legs wrapped around his waist. The world spun around us, but we were too lost in the moment to figure out our location. It wasn't until my back touched the softness of a plush mattress that I realized we were in his bedroom.

The room was dimly lit, and my heart stuttered at the realization of what we were doing. Weren't things moving faster? My mind raced with thoughts about whether I was ready for this level of intimacy. However, the scene of him above me taking off his shirt, revealing his toned chest, distracted me from my doubts.

How is it possible for him to look so perfect? I couldn't help but admire his physique as my eyes followed the contours of his body. Every muscle seemed to be perfectly sculpted, making me momentarily forget my reservations.

I have always fancied running my hand against his chest to feel the firmness beneath my fingertips. It was a temptation that heightened my curiosity and added to the intensity of the moment.

We were again entangled in a passionate embrace, and I couldn't resist the urge to explore his physique further. So gone was I that I did not realize when I had lost my top, the fabric slipping off my shoulders and falling to the floor. The vulnerability of being exposed at least brought my senses back, and I placed my hands on his chest, stopping him.

I looked into his eyes, my breath catching in my throat as I mustered the courage to speak. "Wait," I whispered, my voice barely audible. "I want this, but I don't...I mean, we...you know." I struggled to find the right words, my mind racing with conflicting emotions, but it was hard.

"I'm not ready to cross that line yet," I said softly, my voice trembling with uncertainty. I closed my eyes, bracing myself for his anger or disapproval. I feared he might hate me for leading him on only to pull back at the last moment. But when I finally opened my eyes, I was met with understanding in his gaze.

"I'm glad you shared your thoughts with me," he said gently, his voice full of empathy. A wave of relief washed over me as I realized he wasn't angry or disappointed. Instead, he offered a comforting smile, showing that he respected my boundaries and was willing to wait until I was ready.

"But we can do other things if you're up for it," he suggested, his fingers gently tracing along my cheeks. My heart skipped a beat at his touch. The tension that had paused earlier surged back as I nodded, and this time it was me who leaned in to meet him.

As our mouths met, I murmured his name; his tongue was so sweet that it set mine aflame, igniting a passion that I had never experienced before. Drawing breath deeply, and soft moans escaped as ever so lovingly whilst he bit my neck's nape.

Hands pressed upon sheets, my body arched as a reply, chest upon breast, and another deep sigh escaped my lips as the spread of our fingers now intertwined. Our bodies moved in sync, a dance of passion and desire.

Every touch, every flick of his tongue, sent me spiraling into a state of ecstasy that I never wanted to end, consuming all rational thought, melding mind and body, and revealing the spirit's intimacy.