Page 40 of Beginning Fate

“Are you okay?” Denny asked.

“Yeah. Just a little sad. Happy too, though.”

“Kylie?” he guessed.

I nodded. “On the one hand I am thrilled and beyond relieved that she is making friends so quickly. But I’m also sad because I know she truly doesn't need me anymore. Not like she used to.”

He got up and slid onto the bed next to me. He wrapped one arm around my shoulders, and I rested my head against his. It felt like the most natural thing in the world. And being this close to him helped me relax and let go of some of my fears. It was as if he was somehow going to take them all away.

I sighed. “I thought we were just going to talk.”

“Just talk. I know. But you looked a little sad. I'm still mostly behaving.”

Knowing he couldn't see it, I let myself smile.

The most terrifying part of Denny was how comfortable he made me feel. I still vividly remembered how happy my parents were together and even though it had been a long time since I witnessed true love up close and personal, I couldn't help but think it must have felt a lot like this. They had been comfortable together, too. They knew each other better than anyone and even finished each other's sentences at times. I wasn't there yet, but I had a feeling that if I let myself fall for him it would be that effortless.

Even as we sat there cuddled up together as I allowed him to take some of the pain and fears away, there was nothing awkward in the silence.

It’s too easy,I thought.

Should anything truly great in life come so easily or feel so right?

My mind drifted back to that kiss. Holy hell, that kiss!

Denny was my first. I had absolutely no experience or anything to compare it to, but that kiss had been everything I'd ever dreamed it would be and more.

I couldn't help but wonder if it was just the awe of a first time or if kissing him would always turn my insides into mush. Suddenly I had to know, but I knew he wouldn't do it again unless I asked.

“Will you kiss me again?” I whispered.

He pulled away and stared into my eyes.

“You're sure that's what you want?”

I started to falter, thinking maybe he didn't want it and was just trying to let me off easily, but then why would he be sitting here holding me like this?

“Is it what you want?”

“I want everything with you. But only if it's what you want, too.”

I nodded. “Kiss me,” I said boldly.

And he did.

Once again, his lips were soft and gentle against mine at first, like he was testing me, or teasing me. I wasn't sure which. The moment our lips touched a jolt of awareness shot straight through me, tingling my body with all sorts of new sensations.

A muffled moan escaped me as his tongue swept into my mouth and he deepened the kiss.

His arms wrapped around me and he gently laid me down on the bed as he aligned himself next to me and partially overme. His delicious scent was everywhere, making my head cloudy and my judgements skewed as I reached up and fisted my hand in his hair to pull him impossibly closer.

This was even better than the first time.

Would each kiss bring us even closer and be more potent than the last?

When his hand skimmed up my side another bolt of awareness nearly paralyzed me.

I pulled back, my chest rising and falling in short breaths.

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