It was a feather-light kiss, one I had not had in a very long time.

Chapter Eighteen

Jacob

The taste of her lips lingered until I could grasp what had happened.

In my vulnerability, I kissed her.

We had been separated for three years, but I had never stopped loving her. At first, I had thought it was futile to pursue her again when we bumped into each other on that rainy day, but now I couldn’t resist the urge to confess my feelings.

“I’m not sorry.” I breathed against her cheek.

“What?” Her lips parted, and I leaned in for another kiss, but she moved back.

“I’m sorry, we should not have done that.” She said, moving farther away from me.

“I’m not sorry, Clara. I’ve meant to kiss you since the first day I bumped into you in the rain. I’ve been meaning to hold you. I’ve been meaning to feel your body against mine. I’ve been longing for you, Clara.”

Her face was all flushed.

“I love you, Clara. I never stopped loving you.”

She looked away.

“Clara. Please, look at me.” I moved close to her, breaching the gap between us.

“Jacob, do you think this is right?” She asked, looking pained.

“Nothing could be more right.”

“But-”

“I truly love you, and I want you back in my life. I’ll continue proving myself to you till you accept me.”

She cupped her forehead, sighing.

“It doesn’t feel right.” She muttered.

“Clara, please listen to me. I’ll continue to do all I can to prove my love for you till you say you’ve forgiven me. You can think about it as much as you want.”

I could feel her quiver. Her lashes fluttered repeatedly.

“As for me,” I continued. “The kiss, none of these is a mistake.”

But she wouldn’t say anything. Slowly, she moved away from me and sniffled.

“I know this is a lot to take in, and I do not want to pressure you in any way. Tell me when you are ready.”

She still wouldn’t budge or say another word, but by then, she had completely calmed down.

“Goodnight?”

Decidedly, I prepared to leave.

In the turmoil of my heart, it hurts to love, but it hurts more because you can’t decide whom, when, or how to love. You can’t even control your feelings. You behave so irrationally that you sometimes think you are crazy.

“Jacob?” I heard her voice softly call my name.