Page 49 of Lotus

“It was my favorite,” I tell her, my palm applying a gentle pressure to her hip. “I had an assortment of tapes I would enjoy to pass the time, but this was the one I watched most frequently. I would get lost in the fantastical world and the grand love story.”

Sydney shifts against me, a soft breath escaping her and warming my knee. She lifts one finger and starts tracing indistinguishable patterns across that same knee, sending a tickle through my veins. I hardly notice the film anymore. It is a muted backdrop to the woman in my lap, her hair splayed out in delicate waves across my upper thighs.

And then I’m struck with an insatiable request.

“If we were on a real date, and things were progressing well…” I begin, my nerves frayed, both hands now clenched into tight fists at my sides. “Would it be appropriate for me to kiss you right now?”

Fluttering eyelashes glance up at me, her pupils dilated, her irises the brightest blue. “Oh, um, I think that depends on the girl,” Sydney explains, her voice catching slightly.

“Let’s assume that girl is you.”

A slow nod accompanies her sudden fidgeting. “In that case, yes. It would be appropriate.”

My mouth twitches into a nervous smile as I attempt to keep a rein on my courage before it disintegrates. I look down at her and state, with as much bravery as I can muster, “I believe things are progressing well. Don’t you?”

It takes a moment for my subtlety to sink in. She blinks, then her eyes widen, her brows arching to her hairline as she sits upright from my lap. “What are you implying, Oliver?”

She knows what I’m implying. It’s written in the way a light blush shades her cheekbones. “I would like to kiss you. If it’s part of the dating process, I should know how, yes?”

Sydney’s whole body shifts towards me, a perplexed look dancing across her doe-like features. “You don’t think it would be weird?”

“No. I need to do it eventually—I’d prefer to learn from someone I trust and care about.”

“Well, shit. I need more wine.” Sydney plucks her eyeglasses from her nose, setting them beside her on the sofa cushion, then reaches for her beverage. After gulping down a few enthusiastic swallows, she blows out a hard breath and discards the empty glass. “Are you sure about this? I don’t want to make things…” Her finger flicks back and forth between us. “Awkward.”

“I don’t anticipate that,” I tell her. “I find you visually pleasing. I don’t see how it could become problematic.”

She scratches the side of her face with ebony-tipped fingers, a chuckle skimming her lips.

“Do you feel the same?”

“Do I find you visually pleasing?” she asks through a teasing smile. “Of course. You’re hot, Oliver.”

My skin does feel rather flushed. “All right. Show me what to do.”

Her smile fades when her teeth begin tugging on her bottom lip. Wavering eyes drift to my mouth before she ducks her head. “Fuck, I’ve never felt nervous doing this before.” Sydney shakes out her arms, as if she’s trying to physically rid herself of the nerves and lets out a prolonged sigh.

And then she’s climbing into my lap, straddling my thighs with both legs.

I inhale sharply, my hands squeezing the denim material of my pant legs, not expecting the gesture. I’m at eye-level with the swell of her breasts, causing me to grit my teeth together, almost painfully, as I await instruction.

“First off,” Sydney says, our groins much too close. She sweeps three fingers through my bangs, moving them aside to place a kiss on my forehead. “Relax.”

“I’m certainly trying to,” I force out, finally able to pull my gaze from her chest and meet her baby blues. “I’ve never been this close to a woman before.”

Her grin returns, soft and sweet. Reassuring. “It means a lot that you’re entrusting me with this moment. You promise it won’t be weird between us?”

All I can manage is a quick bob of my head. My jaw aches as my molars continue to clench and grind.

Sydney places both palms against my cheeks, her touch delicate and kind, and instructs me in a husky voice, “Close your eyes.”

I obey.

And then I wait.

Th-thump. Th-thump. Th-thump.

My senses are heightened, overly sensitive, my heartbeat drumming in my ears and the feel of her breath against my parted lips sending shivers up my spine. Sydney takes my hands and guides them upwards until they are settled on her hips. My fingers instinctively curl around her waist, causing her to inch herself forward until the peaks of her taut nipples, bra-less beneath the thin cotton, graze my chest.

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