Chapter Fifty Seven
1581 Words
The kiss started out slow, our tongues moving in sync, tasting, teasing.
A shiver ran down my spine, and I craved more.
My hands found their way to his shoulders as we poured tons of emotions into each brush of our lips.
I wasn’t sure who did it first—maybe him, maybe me—but someone deepened the kiss, igniting something wild between us.
And just like that, we were kissing like our lives depended on it.
His mouth sucked every breath from my lungs, sending sparks through every part in my body.
Everything else faded.
The world didn’t matter.
Nothing mattered except the heat of his lips and the way my body arched for something deeper.
I needed more.
And from the way he kissed me, I could figure out he felt the same.
But then, as we pulled back to catch our breaths, it dawned on me.
The noise. The people.
The countless pairs of eyes locked on us.
Some were even recording.
My cheeks burned when I noticed Katie standing at the edge of the crowd, Kelvin beside her, a teasing smile curving her lips.
Austin glanced around, as if also suddenly remembering we weren’t alone.
To make things worse, the music had stopped since who knew when, leaving us the only ones on the dance floor.
Which meant every bit of attention was on us.
How I wished the ground would swallow me whole.
“Let’s get back to our seats,” I whispered, already shifting to move.
But his hand found mine, stopping me in my tracks.
My heart hammered even harder.
Had he seriously forgotten the dozens of eyes still watching us?
Geez. I just hoped he couldn’t feel my pulse racing through my palm
.
And then, to make things worse, he leaned in, his lips brushing my cheeks till they met my ear.
“Do you regret it?”
My breath seized at the closeness, his scent wrapping around me like a slow-burning fire.
Gosh.
But his words made me pause.
Did I regret it?
Sure, being caught like this—especially by Katie—was beyond humiliating.
But that didn’t mean I regretted the kiss.
If anything, I wanted more.
I just wished we’d been somewhere more private.
So, no. I didn’t regret a single thing.
I shook my head. “I don’t think so.”
A lopsided smirk tugged at his lips. “Good. Because we’ll continue this later tonight.”
My heart did a wild somersault, excitement fizzing in my belly.
Yep. That was exactly what I wanted too.
“Let’s get back to our seat then,” he said, wrapping his fingers around my wrist, completely unfazed by the eyes still on us.
And, strangely enough, as he led me back to the table—hand in hand—I realized I didn’t care either.
Because, really…
What could be better than what might happen tonight.
I felt even more satisfied when I noticed Suzy and her reddened face from fury.
As our gaze locked, her jaw hardened, then she stomped out.
***
“Woah, now will you tell me what that was about?” Katie pranced towards me, her smile even more teasing than before.
But I just rolled my eyes, though my cheeks annoyingly betrayed me. “When did you arrive?”
“Long enough to witness what I'd tag as the most romantic scene,” she giggled, inviting herself to where Austin had been sitting.
Chris, who'd looked excited, had called him about two minutes back, so they left together.
Now here I was, probably about to be teased to my grave.
“Hmm,” my hands reached for the glass of wine a waiter had offered me, so I took to lifting it to my lips, taking a sip from the sweet fruity taste.
Anything to avoid Katie's conversation.
“Wow, I knew this would happen,” a dreamy sigh escaped her.
At this point, no words would form to defend myself or anything.
Because now, I really couldn't wait for this party to end.
I could sense today would be spicy.
And that realization left me with giddiness.
“Where's Kelvin?” I asked. Anything to change the topic from me.
“He had to take a call so I told him to meet me here once he's done,” she had a smile on as she spoke.
But I knew far too well that although she was trying to not let it bother her, it did.
“Oh,” was all I said, followed by another sip.
“But we're not changing the topic,” her teasing smile was back, “you've got to tell me how long this has been going between you two to have such a passionate kiss without any care about the people around you.”
I didn't answer, but since her talking about me was going to distract her from Kelvin, I was going to allow it just this once.
“Hey,” she nudged with her finger, “I can't believe this. Oliver and Layla will be thrilled, thank goodness I got it on video to send to them later.”
“Will you please just let me be?” That was something I knew wasn't possible, but still asked.
Thankfully, I was saved from further questioning when Kelvin came to view, heading to the table with a small smile.
Katie stood up to stay beside him as his hand naturally moved around her waist.
“Hey, you done with your call?” She asked sweetly, while I just stared at the couple in front of me.
They really were a perfect fit. And in just about two weeks from now, they'll be talking about marriage.
Wow!
“Yeah, uh…” he scratched the back of his neck, gaze fixed on me.
“Is something wrong?” She sounded like she was already aware.
When he turned to her, I detected a hint of sadness in those eyes, “I just got a call to be at somewhere important, you don't mind me leaving now, do you?”
“Oh,” her face fell, but she quickly recovered, “is something wrong? I can follow you if you—”
“No no, I don't want to bother you.”
“It's not a bother,” her eyes pleaded with him to agree, but I could sense it had something to do with the proposal stuff, so he wasn't going to allow her.
“Listen,” he moved his hand from her waist, cupping her cheek, “this is a place where your family is, I won't feel good if I take you from it for my personal reasons.”
“But—”
She was cut when he leaned In for a peck on the lips.
That made a smile appear on my lips against my will.
“I'll call you later, alright?” Another peck, before letting her go. “Bye,” then to me, “bye also and nice kiss you had back then.”
I rolled my eyes, but noticed him shake his phone a little, which obviously meant he'd message me.
Yep, it certainly had something to do with the proposal.
After a wave, he pocketed his hand, disappearing into the crowd.
“Awwn, you two are so cute.” I chuckled, trying to lighten the mood, but she didn't seem to want that.
“I'm heading home, tell Austin I said bye.” She didn't even wait for my reply before shambling out.
This was not good.
It made me wonder what Kelvin had to do that was so important.
But just then, my phone vibrated signalling a message from him.
Kelvin- Dorothy called to say she needs me to meet her for an important discussion that can't be said on the phone. Did Katie look mad?
Dorothy was the one in charge of the fireworks.
After the proposal, Kelvin planned on a fireworks show that said ‘Kelvin and Katie. Together forever’.
Hmm, I wondered what happened.
When I noticed Austin heading towards me, my heart leapt and I had to resist the urge to touch my lips where his had tasted so nice on.
Since the kiss, I'd wanted us to do it again.
And here he was.
I quickly sent a reply to Kelvin,
Me- She's gone home.
That should speak enough.
So, I returned my phone to my purse, offering a smile I hoped concealed the fact my heart threatened to pop out.
“Hey, hope you weren't bored.” He greeted, not sitting down but just standing beside me.
“A little,” I lifted the glass to my lips, taking a sip and hoping my hands didn't tremble.
“Hmm,” then he leaned closer to speak above the music, “you want to see my office?”
That had come as a surprise.
His office? A place where we might be the only ones?
Did I want to see?
My heart jumped in joy because yep, this might be a time I'd been waiting for.
We might end up doing something I certainly would love.
Who knows, I might regret later, but for now, I was going to dwell in the moment.
So I nodded, rising to my feet. “Lead the way.”
A smile spread across his lips when he took my hand in his, and we both ambled away.
- Writer
