Page 117 of Running from Drac

“Girls actually say ralph?”

My cheeks burned with embarrassment.

“Don’t worry, it’s cute. I like it.” He cupped my chin, lifting it so I could look deeply into his eyes. “So that’s one, one thing I know about you. AH. AH. AH.” He did The Count impression again, and just like last time, my heart sped up and thousands of butterflies flooded my stomach. It’s too friggin’ cute. I pulled out of his reach, smiling shyly as I dodged the urge to kiss him again.

“After graduation, I want to go into nursing, but first I want to travel the world. I’ve always wanted to go to Italy and see the Apennine Colossus statue in person; it’s me and my dad’s favorite. I should mention that I’m a closet nerd, I’ve played every single Zelda game possible, beat it, and then beat it again just for the funsies. I’m obsessed with Pink. The artist—not the color, she’s amazing! My right foot is slightly larger than my left foot, so I don’t wear flip-flops for fear that people will see the difference. I’ve never been in love either, but I want to, I want it so bad sometimes I just lay awake picturing who the first guy will be that steals my heart.”

Eddie’s fingers drummed at his sides before he looked up at me with something different in his stare, and I realized that my last statement sent mixed messages.

“Why don’t you kiss on the first date?”

“It’s stupid.” And it really was. I wanted to kiss Eddie. There was no denying how attracted I was to him. Just sitting next to him made me nervous. My body lusted for his in ways I never knew were possible. I’d never stared at a guy and wanted to know what it would be like to have my body against his, or what his lips would feel like on mine. I wanted to know every inch of him.

“I really want to know.” Eddie gently took my hand and pulled himself closer to me. We were so close I could feel his breath on my skin. It was warm, and in the chilly Nevada air felt way too good.

“Bad experiences, I guess. I let guys kiss me in the past, and it was horrible. The last one used my lips for target practice. I’m surprised I’m not bruised and scarred from it.”

“That bad, huh?”

“Horrible. That’s why I don’t kiss on the first date. I feel like first dates have always been cursed for me when it comes to kissing.”

“Maybe I can change your mind?” He wet his lips so damn seductively.

Why does he have this hold over me?

Why can’t I fight this urge to kiss him?

“You make it really hard, that’s for sure.”

He smiled, his hand tracing the sides of my cheeks. The heat between us tingled, both of us inching closer and closer to one another.

The kiss hung heavy between us.

Both of us wanted it.

Both of us maybe even needed it…

But neither of us moved, we just sat there staring into each other’s eyes, both toying with the what ifs that could come after if I decided to change my mind.

From just over his shoulder, a bolt of light flashed across the sky, breaking my trance.

“Holy crap! A Shooting star!” I jerked away from him, admiring the last bits of the bright shiny ball as it streaked through the sky.

He glanced over his shoulder, catching the tail end of it as it disappeared into the darkness.

“Did you make a wish?” he asked breathlessly.

I stared at his lips, wishing for something I shouldn’t be wishing for. He must’ve read my mind, because he dipped in, taking control of the moment that my heart silently screamed for. Deadly and dangerous, his lips were absolute perfection. There was no force of tongue or teeth going through my skin. He didn’t chap my lips with his spit, or slobber on me like the others from my past. His kiss was anything but messy. It was simple… sweet… intimate.

It was the kind of kiss every girl dreamed of, and I couldn’t believe it just happened. Between the scenery, seeing a shooting star for the very first time in my life, and his company, there wasn’t anything I could wish for more. I already felt like the luckiest girl in the world.

“No need. All my wishes just came true…”

Reliving why I fell in love with Eddie is painful.

There’s no more happily ever after.

Any hope for a future with him is lost.