Chloe

Chapter 18 - The Next Level

The fire became my salvation. It burned away all the day’s activities leaving nothing but carefree happiness.  It was magical and I understood why my friends were drawn to it. We were able to be ourselves without any condemnation. We talked about nonsensical things that never amounted to anything but meant everything to me. Chloe’s Diary

Chapter 18

The Next Level

   When she arrived at the fire everyone seemed in high spirits. Her good mood elevated further with everyone’s welcoming faces. Before she sat down, she glanced coyly at Edwin. He patted the sand next to him for her to sit.

   The previous nights at the fire, they had continued to downplay the seriousness of their relationship from the others. She suppose by silent agreement they agreed their relationship was private and theirs. Tonight was different though. Something fundamental had changed between them. 

Edwin immediately pulled her closer when she sat next to him, his arms enclosing her in a warm embrace. She leaned into him and he kissed the top of her head. 

Everyone was a little taken aback by their display. But it was Sandra who voiced it. “Chloe what’s this?” She leaned over to get a closer look at her necklace, and then she reached over and flipped it over. Sandra suddenly pulled back with a shocked expression on her face, “How long?”

Chloe bent back and looked up at Edwin as he answered, “A while.” 

Sandra blew out a breath and said, “I just KNEW it! You guys are like reading a stone wall but I just KNEW it. I mean I knew Edwin had a thing for you Chloe from the very moment he met you. It’s so obvious. But you’re a tough cookie to c***k and so quiet!”

Chloe and Edwin exchanged smiles. Sandra then said in a loud voice, “Those two there,” pointing at us, “have scammed us all, dating, they are, and for ‘a while,’” mimicking Edwin’s British accent. Chloe laughed along with everyone, but when she looked at Christoph he was not smiling, he was watching her intently. Then he turned his head in the direction of the ocean.

Everyone exclaimed, “About time.” After a few minutes had passed, Christoph good naturally hit Edwin in the shoulder and said, “You owe me one.”

   Her friends were so supportive, so later she asked Edwin why they hadn’t told them sooner. 

He simply stated, “The time wasn’t right.” 

She knew he was right. They needed to know where they stood before bringing their friends into it. Friends can add complications, and they were able to establish a foundation before adding in the complications. 

   Edwin accompanied her to her room as usual, however he didn’t leave right away. He must have felt the same clinginess that she felt or maybe he just sensed she needed him more tonight. Whatever the reason, she was glad. He sat down on the bed and patted her closer.   

As soon as she sat down he pulled her to him and kissed her urgently. It was wonderful, indescribable. Feelings surged through her in tidal waves, tossing through her body until she feared she would never emerge. She rested her hands on his chest, initially, but when he deepened the kiss, showing no signs of stopping, she reached around his back, bringing her chest flush against his, running her hands underneath his shirt, desperate for his skin. He laid her down, his body draped carefully over hers, his hands exploring the exposed skin where her shirt met her shorts. His finger tips sending more sensations through her nerve endings. His tongue delved into her mouth, her breathing erratic as his hands traveled under her shirt further up her torso. When his fingers brushed underneath her bra, she thought she was going to explode. She arched her back begging him to take it further, practically thrashing with the need for him to touch her there, to feel her.

But he stopped. He put his forehead against hers, his breath coming in short gasps, as if he had run a marathon, “I have to stop, you understand, or there will be no stopping.” 

   “Maybe I don’t want to stop,” She said saucily. 

He sucked in his breath muttering, “Good lord.” His body instantly tense. She simply smiled innocently at him, feeling happily, lazily drugged.

   He kissed her nose and rolled off of her, disappointment laced through her. 

“Are you sure?” he asked hoarsely looking at the ceiling. 

“Yes,” Then she remembered she hadn’t made it to the clinic yet, “but I don’t have any…ummm,” she was so uncool, she wanted to have s*x with Edwin, but she couldn’t discuss protection? She squeezed her eyes shut, “I,ummm, I don’t have any protection,” her cheeks burned.

   His gaze was locked to the ceiling for a minute and doubts began to plague her. She thought he didn’t want to sleep with her. It was probably too complicated. SHE was probably too complicated and he didn’t want to take their relationship to the next level. She was undesirable, he loved her, yes, but he didn’t want to do that with her. The more she thought the more miserable she became.