Page 18 of Enemy Crush
Paxton
Ican’t believe I’m kissing Stella. I don’t know how we got here. I don’t remember making a conscious decision to kiss her, but here we are, lips locked and her hands gripping my shirt, pulling me closer. I’m still holding a box of pizza in one hand and I wish it was free to travel her body. My right hand is cupping her face, keeping her soft lips against mine. She tastes better than I ever could’ve imagined. There’s sweetness unlike anything I’ve ever tasted on her tongue. She’s like a heavenly dessert that I don’t want to lose.
My stomach is tightened with excitement and every nerve ending starts to tingle and come alive. When parts of my body begin to stir, I know I must pull away. Stella isn’t the type of girl who would drag a guy into her home for a one-night stand. She’s always been very shy and quiet. I don’t to push her into anything or make her think that I only want one thing, so I slow the kiss and back away.
I look down at her and her cheeks are flushed and her lips are glistening. Her big brown eyes are wide and shining. A nervous smile tugs at her lips. “Good night, Paxton,” she says before turning and walking in the door.
I take a step back, looking after her, wishing she’d ask me to come in or wishing that she’d come back out. Neither happens and eventually I have to turn around and walk back to my truck. The whole walk I’m in a daze, still lost in that magical kiss. I never thought that Stella would be able to even look at me and see a friend so I never in a million years thought I’d ever get to kiss her.
Feeling her lips against mine feels better than words can describe. I’ve wanted Stella for as long as I can remember. Finally getting to taste her feels final, like the deal is sealed and fate has spoken. Even after I get home, I still can’t shake the feeling of her lips on mine.
Days go by and I’ve been unable to think of anything but Stella. I keep hoping and praying that she reaches out, but my prayers go unanswered. I wonder if I stepped too far over the line by kissing her and my excitement turns to worry. I’ve been waiting for her to call, but I’m too impatient to wait much longer.
PAXTON: What’s going on?
I drop the phone onto my lap as I take a drink of beer and watch the game.
STELLA: Not much. Sorry I haven’t reached out, but I didn’t have any updates for you. I’m trying to line up a second author to keep the cash flowing. I’ve finalized the deal with Smith Grayson. He will be doing a signing at your store on July 10th at noon.
Excitement washes over me and I want to celebrate.
PAXTON: That’s awesome. Let’s celebrate.
STELLA: LOL. How?
I try to think something up, but it’s Sunday and there isn’t much to do in town on a Sunday unless you want to go to church. Everything is closed.
PAXTON: Come over here. We’ll have a few drinks, hang out, watch the game. I’ll introduce you to my talking bird.
STELLA: You have a talking bird?
PAXTON: Bundy is an Amazon Parrot. He likes to call people an asshole.
STELLA: LMAO. Now this I have to see. On my way!
Excitement fills my body and I’m too amped up to sit any longer. I get off the couch and do a quick run through of the house and pick up any mess that may have been left. I load the dishwasher to get the dirty dishes out of the sink, I pick up all the dirty clothes from the floor, then I spray the house with air freshener and open some windows to air out the place. Sometimes Bundy can cause the house to stink, but I’ve become immune to his smells.
Twenty minutes later, someone is knocking on the door and I go to answer it. I open the door to find Stella on the other side. She’s wearing a white sundress that ends just above her knees. Her long hair is down and curled perfectly, looking beautiful as always.
“Come in,” I say, holding the door for her.
She steps inside. “Okay, where is this bird?”
I laugh. “I’ll call for him, but don’t get offended if he calls you an asshole.”
She laughs. “I’ve never been called an asshole by a bird before. This will be the highlight of my week!”
I whistle. “Bundy, home.”
“Home,” he repeats, flying to my finger I’m holding in the air.
She squeals and giggles and her eyes double in size as she takes in the green bird on my finger. “Oh my God. He’s beautiful. Can I hold him?”
“Bundy, do you want to meet Stella?” I move my hand closer to her and she holds her hand up.
Bundy takes a few steps closer, feeling her out. “Stella,” he repeats.
“Tell her your name, Bundy.”
