Chapter 4: The Night They Chose Each Other
289 Words
They kissed like drowning people finding air. Hands in hair, breath shared, bodies pressed to the fireplace’s warmth. The world narrowed to the taste of scotch on his tongue, the scent of jasmine in her hair, the way her back arched when he whispered her name.
Later, on the sheepskin rug, clothes scattered like autumn leaves, they learned each other by firelight. Lila traced the scar on his shoulder—appendicitis at nineteen. Jonah kissed the freckle behind her knee—a secret she’d never told anyone. They laughed when the power flickered and the room plunged into darkness, then gasped when it returned, illuminating their tangled limbs.
“I’ve never done this,” Lila murmured against his chest.
“Shared a suite with a stranger?” Jonah teased.
“Fallen in love in one night.”
He stilled. “Is that what this is?”
She looked up, eyes luminous. “I think so.”
He kissed her again, slower this time. “Then let’s not waste it.”
They made love again, unhurried, memorizing every sigh, every shiver. Outside, the storm raged on, but inside, time stopped.
Morning arrived sodden and reluctant. Lila woke first, Jonah’s arm heavy across her waist. She traced the line of his jaw, memorizing the curve of his smile in sleep. He stirred, eyes opening to find hers.
“Good morning, stranger,” he whispered.
“Good morning, love.”
They dressed slowly, stealing kisses between buttons. At 9:30, Lila pressed the envelope into his hand.
“If I don’t come back from seeing my mother,” she said, “tell her I found something worth staying for.”
Jonah kissed her forehead. “You’ll come back. And I’ll be waiting.”
- Writer
