Page 113 of I Don't Need Your Romance

His hands settle on my waist and gently squeeze me as his lips move against mine a little more fervently. My fingers continue twirling in the strands of his hair as these amazing feelings burst all over my body. I swear I can hear an orchestra playing a beautiful symphony in the background.

I feel so many emotions in the way he kisses me. There is so much hope in his heart, so much he wants to look forward to. But there’s still the pain that will most likely never go away. I hope I’m telling him with my lips that he doesn’t have to worry about anything. I’m here and I’ll do whatever it takes to chase away the pain in his heart, or absorb it and share in his pain. He doesn’t have to go through anything alone anymore.

When our lips break apart, we smile and press our foreheads together. “Wow,” I gasp.

He chuckles softly. “Wow, indeed.”

“I never imagined it would feel like that,” I mutter.

“Neither did I.”

“But you’ve kissed girls before.”

“It never felt like this.”

I smile before bending close and kissing him again. “You know something? I thought I didn’t need your romance, but I see now that I do.”

His eyebrows lift. “So I won the challenge?”

I grab the front of his shirt and pull him close, my lips hovering over his. “You won the challenge.”

***

It’s kind of hard to leave the school parking lot because we keep sneaking in more kisses. But anyone can see us out here, so we reluctantly pull away from each other and head to the girls’ dorm, our hands interlocked and never letting go.

I’ve felt close to people before, but it’s a different kind of closeness with Damian. It feels like I’m dancing on the moon.

“I don’t want to part from you,” I say with a frown.

“Me either. But I don’t want you to be late for curfew. I’ll call you later?”

“You’d better,” I joke.

He smiles and looks to his right and left before planting a quick, sweet kiss on my lips. “Good night, beautiful.”

“Good night.”

He waits until I’m inside the dorm before walking away. I whip out my phone and tell Carly and Addie to meet in my room because I have some very important news to share. Since it’s almost curfew, we only have a few minutes.

As soon as I walk in, all three of my friends jump to their feet. “What happened? You were out with Damian for so long,” Carly says.

Leaning back on the door, I smile and let out a happy sigh.

“I know that look!” Addie squeals. “And I know that sigh. Sophie, did you and Damian…?”

I nod with my own squeal. “We kissed!”

“Oh my gosh!” They rush over to me and demand to know every detail.

After I fulfill their request, Carly takes my hands and jumps up and down. “I knew it!”

“Iknew it,” Addie corrects. “I called it from the beginning.”

“Okay, I admit you were right,” I tell her. “Sorry I told you not to get involved in my love life.”

She waves her hand. “It’s okay. Not your fault people don’t always see my awesomeness right away.”

I playfully roll my eyes, and then the four of us burst out laughing.