Page 37 of Lost Love Found

Our waiter comes by to ask if we want dessert and I’m thankful she does, since it prolongs our time together. Every second I get to spend looking at her, listening to her talk and learning new things about her, is a gift. And I don’t take any of it for granted.

As we prepare to leave, I step behind her and carefully slide the coat over her shoulders. As I do, I notice the dozen or so people waiting outside of the restaurant for us, cameras ready. I step in front of her, doing up the lowest button of her coat as I lean in to kiss her cheek.

“Paps are outside. I’m sorry.” I wince as I take in her reaction. She smiles easily up at me. Of course she does.

“That’s ok. It’s why we’re here.” I continue to do up her coat as she watches me.

Taking her small hand in mine, we walk out of the restaurant. The paparazzi give us a bit of space, seemingly wanting to capture a candid moment - as candid as possible when there are several cameras pointing right at you, anyway.

I’m used to this, but she’s not. I feel her hand grip mine tighter as the first few flashes come. As we approach the car, I stop and face her rather than opening the door.

I pause to take her in, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear and then she knocks the breath out of me when she whispers, “Kiss me.” I don’t know what to say. I want to kiss her. I’ve wanted to kiss her since New Year’s Eve. I want to kiss her more than anything, but I didn’t want it to be like this.

Willing my heart to slow down and my dick not to betray me, I lower my lips to her neck and place a gentle kiss there. “Are you sure?” I ask low enough only she can hear.

“Yes,” she breathes as her hands come up to grasp the lapels of my coat.

I run my nose up and down her slender neck and she sways, fingers tightening their hold on my jacket. If anyone is listening, I need self control. A lot of it. Right now.

She raises her chin, eyes locked on mine. I breathe in as I lower my lips to the corner of her mouth. Then she turns into me and our lips finally connect.

It’s a soft, tentative touch at first, but my body reacts faster than my brain and in the next second, my hands are cradling her face as my tongue seeks entry into her mouth. She tastes like dessert and when I nip her bottom lip, I feel her body mold into mine then hear her whimper. Fucking damn it I need to hear that sound again.

Though it pains me to stop, I pull away before I can get too carried away. I take a second to look at her, rubbing my nose against hers. She has a lazy smile on her face and I know my own face matches hers.

The flash of paparazzi cameras cuts through the air as we intertwine our fingers together and I reach for the door handle, helping her inside first.

“Do you think they got what they needed?” Her voice is flat, and she’s looking out the window. Shit.

I clear my throat and take her hand in mine. “Yeah. I’m sorry about that, Elaina.”

She links our fingers together and looks up at me. “Don’t be. That’s what tonight was for, right?” Our fingers remain linked, but we don’t exchange any more words during the drive.

My mind is reeling. What is she thinking? Did she feel the same spark between us when our lips touched? Damn it, all I want is to lean over and take her face in my hands again and really kiss her. That wasn't enough. I want so much more. My thoughts are so loud, I’m afraid she can hear them, but she seems unaffected.

When we get to our building, I walk her to her door. Before I can think of what to do, she reaches up and hugs me. “Thanks for tonight. I had fun.” She pulls away and smiles brightly. “Goodnight, Adam.”

“Goodnight, L.”

* * *

We don’t get to see one another much over the next few days since we’re wrapping up on location. I’m sure to text to check in on her.

WEDNESDAY

“One pair of candy lips and your bubblegum tongue”

I talked to Sandra today. Did she call you? Tell me your thoughts, please. All of them.

TORNEROSE

Those lyrics and John Mayer both feel appropriate. ;)

“You see the colors in me like no one else” - I can’t believe I hadn’t added No Doubt until now!

I did talk to her. She seemed very… excited… about the photos. I don’t have many thoughts about this, tbh.

But I have other thoughts. I have been thinking that it’s weird how we eat pizza from the inside out. Crazy, right?

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