The Heart Series: Complete Boxed Set (94 page)

“You’re not going to eat that cold, are you?” Ollie asked looking at me strange as I devoured the last slice of pizza. Well, it was a shame to go to waste.

“Yep, I love cold pizza, especially for breakfast.” I smiled at the look of disgust that crossed his face.

“I can’t stand it cold, it just tastes wrong.” He shuddered.

“Oh it’s a great cure for a hangover, can’t beat a cold slice in the morning,” I remarked, enjoying his reaction. He was thoroughly repulsed by it all.

“Eww don’t, it has to be piping hot or else it gets binned.”

“See, that’s why we are well suited because I’d hoover up your remains, hot or cold,” I added laughing. We were a perfect match in that sense.

He rolled his eyes in annoyance. “I take it you know the pizza guy?”

“Yeah, he’s in my year at school.”

“Oh,” was all he replied. The eerie silence that followed after was deafening.

“What?” I felt like there was something he was holding back, I wanted him to be upfront and tell me if he was having any concerns.

“Nothing.” He shrugged looking away.

“Oll, please, is there something wrong?”

No, it’s just . . .” his voice trailed off, but I could see the hesitant look that crossed his face. Whatever was wrong I needed him to tell me. I didn’t want him bottling things up needlessly.

“Oll, please.”

“It’s just you seemed overly familiar with him, and I wondered if he had been a . . .”

He didn’t finish the sentence, but I saw the look in his eyes. Was it jealousy?

“He wasn’t an ex if that’s what you’re thinking,” I responded. Hoping to alleviate his irrational thoughts.

“I just . . .”

“He’s a friend, no more. I could have gone there.” Dean had come onto me several times, but so far I had rebuffed his advances. I just didn’t like him enough that way.

“From the way he flirted with you, I think he still would,” he added in a huffy tone. I knew for a fact Dean would. Any form of encouragement, and he would be there. It was quite worrying at times just how easily led he could be.

“Probably.”

His eyes flashed at mine looking hurt.

“Hey, there’s nothing there, he flirts with me all the time but it doesn’t mean that I would go there,” I soothed, hoping he’d see sense that I just wasn’t interested in him that way. I was only interested in him.

“I just . . .”

“What?” I pleaded, I wanted him to be upfront and tell me what he was feeling.

“I just got a little jealous, hearing you flirt back with him.” His jaw ticked and I could see the muscle tighten.

“I can’t help it, I’m a natural flirt, I didn’t do it on purpose.” I explained, hoping he wouldn’t read any more into then just a natural response.

“I noticed but I just . . . I didn’t like it. I know we haven’t been together long and we’re barely just getting to know each other, but I know enough to say that I like you, and I don’t want to feel jealous. If you could tone it down.”

I frowned at his request. “But that’s just me, Oll, there is nothing behind it. I don’t look at him that way, I never have. Yes, he flirts with me, and yes, I maybe flirt back but it’s with the intention that it’s harmless, that it won’t go anywhere. Even when I’m single I haven’t once contemplated it, but I certainly wouldn’t now.”

“So what are we?” he asked looking confused.

“You tell me.” It was all up to him, I had more than made my feelings heard. I needed him to put himself out there and give me an answer.

“Well, I know I like you.”

“Thanks, I guess,” I muttered, dejected by his underwhelming response.

He frowned at my reaction. “I mean, I like you a lot.”

“I like you a lot too.” I grinned back, suddenly feeling brighter.

“I just . . . it’s hard for me . . . this is the first time I’ve been with a guy and I . . .”

“I know you want to take it slow,” I offered as an explanation.

“But I know this is all normal for you, and I’m scared you’ll get bored, that you won’t want to wait.” He frowned at his words. Did he have so little faith in me?

“Hey, I have all the time in the world.” I’d wait as long as it takes for him to be okay with his sexuality. He was more than worth it.

“Really?” he asked hesitantly.

“For you, I will wait.” I stroked his hand reassuringly, and I felt it shake in mine. It was unchartered territory, and I knew this was a huge step he was taking being completely honest about his sexuality.

“Oll, I’m scared that if I say too much I’ll scare you away, but I really like you, more than friends. That kiss was just wow.”

“But you’ve probably kissed a lot of guys,” he replied dejectedly.

I frowned at his response.

Ouch, that stung slightly. Was he calling me a man whore?

“I didn’t mean it like that.” His face flashed in panic.

“It’s okay, I have.” There was no denying that part.

“No, what I meant was that you’ve kissed guys, it’s not your first, so it wasn’t as special for you as it was for me.”

“That kiss was everything to me,” I replied feeling defensive. He was totally wrong to think it wasn’t.

“Really?” he asked unsure. Unable to quite believe it.

He was just too cute.

“I might have kissed a lot of boys and many of them were when I was slightly drunk, but I’ve never felt the feelings I had with you before. It was like something I’ve never experienced before. It was beyond amazing, chills, butterflies, it was completely overwhelming—the connection between us. I get that you think because I’m experienced that I’ve been there, done that. But this time it was far different, you’re special to me. I’m not going to lie, I don’t know whether it’s your innocence, but you are so different from the other guys I’ve dated. With them they were secure in their sexuality; there was no hesitation they knew what they wanted.”

“I know what I want, but I’m scared.”

“About telling your parents?” I asked, trying to slowly prize it out of him.

“There is that but I’m scared about falling hard, this is all new and although I’m excited, I’m overwhelmed. I want to be with you, Elijah, I’m excited for where this is heading, but I’m not ready for a full blown relationship.”

“Then that is fine, I’ve already said we’ll take it slow.”

“But what if you get bored?”

“Why would I?” I asked, feeling slightly irritated that he thought I’d toss him aside because I wanted to move onto the next guy. Did he think I was that shallow?

“You might get tired of waiting and decide that I’m not worth it. I’m scared you’ll decide that it’s easier to walk away. You’ve been there done that and bought the T-shirt and might not have the patience to go through all of this again.” I saw the fear present in his eyes just at the very thought.

I grabbed his hand. “Hey, that’s for me to decide, and I choose you, to be with you. I want to be there every step of the way, to hold your hand to guide you through it. The only way I’ll leave is if you push me away with all your doubts.”

“I’m sorry,” he mumbled looking away, ashamed by his response.

“Don’t apologise. Just know I’m here for you.” I clasped his hand tight, and he smiled, squeezing it in response.

“So what does this mean?”

“It means I’m here for you, we don’t need to label it. We can just be Elijah and Ollie, two guys that like each other for now.”

“More than like,” Ollie teased and I smiled.

“More than like, now.” That was good enough for me.

I was floating with happiness.

His eyes held mine before dropping down to my lips. I swallowed slowly, willing him to press them against mine. This time I wanted it slow, to be tender and loving. To feel his tongue softly caress with mine. Just like he was reading my exact thoughts his eyes flicked back up to mine, and there in his eyes was confirmation that he was thinking the exact same thing.

I swallowed slowly and gently bit on my lip, leaving the next move up to him. If he wanted to take it slow then he had to make the next move. I willed him to kiss me, to give me the thing I most desired right at this moment.

He hesitated and I caught a look of fear in his eyes, but then he slowly leaned in. That small move had me gasping; he was giving me exactly what I wanted.  I wanted to more than meet him, but I waited with bated breath. He leaned in farther and closed his eyes, the blush that followed after had me smiling. God, he was adorable, his shy sweet side was something new to me, I’d never been with anyone this inexperienced, but I secretly liked it.

I leaned in to meet him, barely inches apart I stopped and felt his breath lightly tickle my face. His eyes remained closed but a frown crossed his forehead, like he was becoming agitated by my lack of speed. I moved in closer and stroked my nose against his. He gasped lightly, and I continued until my lips gently brushed against his.

I held them there momentarily, waiting for his response. I didn’t have to wait long. I felt his mouth open slightly and then his tongue softly teased my lips. He was silently asking for entry, and I was only too willing to let him in. I parted my lips and he gently stroked his tongue against mine. It was sweet and innocent and everything I needed.

He inched closer, and I felt his hand make its way up into my hair. Normally I’m pretty brutal when anyone tries to touch it. I hadn’t spent nearly an hour this morning for someone to come and disrupt it within a matter of seconds, but for Ollie, I would make the exception. He could do whatever he wanted. Hell, I didn’t even care about my hair right now as long as his lips stayed locked on mine, I’d be in heaven.

Ollie opened his mouth wider to take the kiss deeper, and I willingly obliged. He sighed with each movement of his tongue, it was one of the sweetest sounds I had ever heard. His hand grabbed handfuls and I groaned, enjoying every single touch. My hand gripped his shirt almost possessively. He was mine, all mine, and I wanted him to know my need for him.

He pulled away slightly, and reluctantly I let him. He paused as he pressed his forehead against mine, panting lightly while his eyes remained closed. I stroked my nose against his to rouse him, and his eyes fluttered open to meet mine. His face was flushed but the smile that soon followed would be etched in my memory forever. It sent a wave of butterflies to burst inside my stomach. His smile, his blue eyes staring deep into mine, I was lost, swept away in the moment, and I knew then and there that what was ahead was beyond anything I had ever known.

“Elijah,” he whispered, his voice barely audible. He swallowed slowly and waited for me to come down from my high.

“Yeah . . .” I was barely able to say anything more. I was at a loss for words and that was almost impossible. I highly doubt I’d ever been speechless. Well until Ollie’s lips had been my undoing.

“Was it okay?” he whispered unsure.

Was it okay?

Was he for real?

“It was more than okay. It was my second favourite kiss.”

“Second?” He scrunched his nose slightly, and I knew he instantly thought I’d put someone ahead of him. It was the way his mind worked to veer towards the negative, something his parents had instilled in him.

“Yeah, it was a close one but nothing will top the first kiss.”

He sighed softly, his eyes closing for a few moments in relief before opening again.

“Yeah, that was one great kiss.”

“I loved it because you took charge, in that moment you knew what you wanted. I have that kiss on permanent rewind in my head.” It was there as a reminder of our perfect moment together.

“Was it like one of your film kisses?” he asked smiling.

“It was better,” I replied without hesitation.

“Wow, so I’m good then?”

“Like you even need to ask. It was better than anything I’ve ever known.” I sighed. It really was.

“Really?”

“Yeah, now can you do one more thing for me?” I asked.

“What?”

“Kiss me again.”

His eyes widened slightly, and the sweetest smile crossed his face as his eyes held mine before his lips locked with my own.

* * *

“So how are things between you and Ollie then? Tell me everything,” B asked, taking a long draw of her coffee before placing it down, her eyes locked with mine as she waited expectantly for all the details.

“Well, we had our second kiss.”

“Oooh,” B mocked and I scowled.

“Quit being a bitch. We’re taking it slow. It’s all new to him, and I don’t want to scare him off,” I explained defensively.

“So all you’ve done is kissed, no, ahem, other things?” she asked raising an eyebrow.

“No, it’s all been innocent.” She always had such a dirty mind.

“Boring,” she snorted.

“Sweet,” I fired back.

“I think you mean boring.”