Blurred Lines

Chapter 12

At first he stiffened,I was about to pull back when his hand settled tentatively around my waist and he slowly relaxed turning his head into my hair.

"You look beautiful" he said his voice muffled "and your hair smells like vanilla" he continued his voice rambling through my chest and his hands slowly rubbed my back.

Awareness ran like a river of red-hot lava through my body. My n*****s puckered up like flowers blooming while the place at the core of my body burned and ached.

The atmosphere was explosive and I couldn't fight the hunger that stabbed through me.

He was being quiet but I was sure he could feel the hard point of my n*****s against his chest.

As I pulled back,my head bent staring at my toes Christian reached for me.

A lean hand tugged my chin up so that his beautifully sculpted mouth could crush down on mine without anything getting in the way.

It was like plunging my fingers into an electric socket or walking out unprepared into a hurricane.

As he plundered my readily parted lips my hand rose and my fingers speared into his luxuriant brown hair,holding him to me.

The firm pressure of his mouth on mine was a glorious invitation to feel things I hadn't felt before and the plunge of his tongue stocked a hunger I didn't know I could feel.

And it was so easy to accept his invitation. Too easy.

He groaned into my mouth and dragged his head back.

**

Christian was waiting outside beside his car taking a call when I nervously came out from the house.

I had to rearrange my hair as it had gotten disheveled and reapply my lipstick.

I was really glad Neil and Zoe had shown themselves out,I wouldn't be able to face them.

He glanced up as I locked the door and stilled before snapping shut his phone standing to attention,the look in his eyes one of appreciation.

"You still look fantastic" he said swinging the passenger door open for me.

I hesitated as warmth blossomed into my heart.

I was so afraid. Afraid of what might happen.

Afraid of what I could no longer deny.

"What is it?" He pressed "what's wrong?".

"I'm just not so sure this is a good idea".

His eyes revealed nothing of what he was feeling. He tilted his head "is this about the kiss?" He asked.

I bit my lips as I felt my cheeks go red.

"I'm sorry,I only kissed you because Zoe and Neil were peeking from the front door,it was only supposed to be a peck but it got out of control,I promise not to kiss you like that again unless absolutely necessary." He said with a wary smile.

I should be happy. That's what I wanted to hear right?.

Then why do I feel like I just lost something?.

I gave him a small smile as I got into the car.

**

The restaurant he chose was a French one in a neighboring city.

It was elegant,the kind of place waiters wore a black tie.

The lighting was muted and the corner table was designed for intimacy.

A bottle of sparkling cider arrived after we were seated and I guessed he'd prearranged it.

"I'm told the food is great here. The house is late nineteenth century" he said "It belonged to a ballerina and was a private home until about 60 years ago."

"Do you always research your restaurant's history?" I asked.

"Ambience always matters. So does cuisine" he said and I agreed wholeheartedly.

"They tell me the caneton a l'orange is a house specialty" he continued.

"Then one of us should have it" I remarked setting my menu aside. He was being so casual and attentive I almost forgot this wasn't a real date "you choose."

He ordered from appetizers to chocolate soufflé with the ease of a man used to eating in exclusive restaurants.

He probably was.

"You have good French,at least for ordering food. Do you speak it otherwise?" I asked intrigued.

"Yes" he replied nonchalantly.

"Have you been to Paris?"

"Yes."

"Is it as amazing as it is in pictures?" I leaned forward interested in his answer.

"Yes" he said again.

"I would love to go there one day." I say wistfully. “You travel a lot?.”

"My mom loved traveling so every year when I was growing up we went all over Europe and went to Ireland every other year. We still have family there."

I raised my eyebrows at that "your family is Irish?."

"Only my mom,but I like to think of myself as Irish."

That explained where Zoe got her hair and temper from.

"Of all the places you've been" I said resting my elbows on the table and my chin on my laced fingers "which one's your favorite?."

He scrunched his nose "it's really hard to say. The west coast of Ireland. A sidewalk cafe in Paris. The mountains in Colorado. But at the moment right here is my favorite place" he added with a wink.

"Very smooth" I said with an eye roll even though my heart skipped a bit.

"I'm serious" he said.

"Okay.” I told him with an half smile then added on a whim "Tell me about your family. Do you have any other brothers? Sisters?"

"Three brothers and Zoe".

"Big family."

"Mom was looking for a girl" he said with a grin

"And she got her."

"Yep,mom can be very determined." He said with a slight chuckle "and sometimes it might not be a good thing." He shook his head.

"You love them" I stated the obvious.

"Yep."

Our waiter came then and set a double soufflé on the middle of the table.

"Oh my." I breath leaning forward unable to resist closing my eyes and taking a deep breath.

I opened my eyes again with a laugh "where's your dessert?."

After we finished eating and left the restaurant I thought the date was over so I was surprised when he parked the car in front of a club that played slow fox-trots and jazzy swings of the thirties.

"You do know I'm 17,right?" I reminded him.

He looked at me with a grin "we're only here to dance."

He surprised me again when we entered the club by taking me to the dance floor and whirling me around till my legs were weak.

"You're full of surprises" I told him.

"Bet your ass." He swung me into his arms and had my blood pressure spiking when he ran his hands up my back and into my hair gently massaging my scalp as he removed the pins holding my hair up.

"That's better" he said arranging my hair, then he rolled my body against his in a smooth move.

He dipped me making me laugh even as my pulse raced. I let my head fall back making my hair stream down.

He brought me back up and we continued dancing.

**

I laid my head on the window of the car as he took me home.

The music,the sparkling cider I had and all the soft lights were still playing in my head making me slightly dizzy.

I felt drenched in romance and knowing that was probably his intention didn't diminish the effect.

"I had fun tonight" Christian said with a side glance.

"Me too" I admitted.

"I hate to ruin everything but I want to remind you we have to leave for my parents' place on Monday morning."

And just like that I crashed back to reality.

"Oh." I shouldn't be hurt. I'm not hurt.

I looked out the window furiously blinking back hot tears.

Once I got my composure back I turned to him with a smile "what about school?."

"Urm,you guys have a break for two weeks" he glanced at me again "Did you forget?."

Crap. I winced. I totally forgot. I bit back a sigh.

"Right,Okay.”

"Where will you tell your parents you're going?." He asked.

Double crap. I winced again. I hadn't even thought of it.

"I'll tell my mom Zoe invited Neil and I to spend a week at your parents' place for your mom's birthday and since Neil can't go for obvious reasons I'm honor-bound to" I told him quickly warming up to the idea.

Damn,I'm becoming a really good liar.

"What obvious reasons?"

"I would like to tell you but it's not my story to tell"

"It's okay.” Christian smiled "I was just curious is all."

We got to my house just then and he parked "see you Monday" he said.

"See you" I told him and was about to gracefully exit the car when he grabbed my arm.

I turned my head to give him a questioning look when he drew me close and kissed me.

It wasn't even a proper kiss. His lips were on mine for just a few seconds and was gone but I still felt the tingles down to my toes.

I awkwardly got out of the car and waved before going inside.

I had my first and second kiss.

All in one day.

What have I gotten myself into?.