Page 13 of Wet Paint

I didn’t have a moment to realize what was happening before he cupped my jaw with one hand, placed the other on my lower back, and covered my mouth with his. The kiss was deep, and I melted into him instantly.

Will broke the kiss but stayed close, the tip of his nose brushing mine. “Sorry I ignored you,” he said first.

They surprised me almost as much as the kiss.

“It’s okay. I understand,” I replied, keeping my voice low. “I had trouble sitting back there too. I didn’t want to stare.”

“You didn’t,” he assured me, smiling gently before he pressed another kiss to my lips. “I just wanted to make sure that you know Saturday night wasn’t just a random hookup. I want to be around you. We just have to be careful.”

I looked up at him, unable to stop a grin from spreading on my lips. “We’re not being very careful right now.”

“Yeah, I know.” He chuckled, brushing aside a strand of my hair, then stepping back. “What are you doing tonight?”

“I don’t know yet. I still have a painting to finish.”

“Good. Then meet me at the studio. I’ll be there at six.”

“Okay.”

He watched me for another moment before placing one more kiss to my lips, then he nodded toward the door. “Go. You’ll miss your next class.”

I didn’t want to leave, but I also didn’t want to risk getting caught by the next students walking into his classroom. Giving him a smile and gently squeezing his hand, I left the room and walked down the hallway to get to my next class.

Will stayed on my mind for the rest of the day, and I wished that kiss he gave me could’ve lasted longer. Everything I already felt for him before intensified, and this thing growing between us would soon bloom into something bigger. I couldn’t wait.

I wanted to embrace every feeling I felt.

I wanted to embrace him. Wanted to embraceus.

***

At six-thirty, I finally made it to the studio.

After all my classes and dropping my books off at home, I headed back to campus to meet Will. Nobody else was around the art wing. Good. I wanted to be alone with him.

When I pushed open the door, Will turned toward me with a smile. “There you are.”

I looked from him to one of the tables which had food on it, and a bouquet of yellow, orange, and pink flowers. I opened my mouth to say something, but couldn’t.

He looked at the flowers too, then picked them up before walking toward me.

“Are…those for me?” I asked, finally taking my eyes off them to look up at him.

He nodded, smiling again. “Do you like them?”

“I do. They’re beautiful.” I was too stunned to say more. He got me flowers, and it looked like he also got me dinner. I didn’t plan on eating tonight. Simply because being with him was enough to distract me from anything else. Food became secondary when I was with him. I didn’t have a bad relationship with food, and I definitely would’ve eaten something once I got back home.

He chuckled as I stayed quiet, just staring at the flowers. Reaching up one hand, he cupped my cheek and leaned in to kiss me. I melted into him, still trying to realize what was happening.

Is this a date?

Please…let this be a date.

When he pulled back, he asked, “Are you hungry? I got us dinner.”

“You did?”

“Yeah. I figured it was only right to get you something to eat after asking you to come here this evening. I got us sushi.”

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