It’s not nearly long enough, but I pull back a little, resting my forehead against hers, and breathe in her scent. She smells like Christmas and home all rolled into one. Excitement, comfort, and an overwhelming sense of right settle in my chest.
I’ve waited my whole life for her.
11
Lily
I’m the one who starts the kiss this time, wanting to feel his lips on me again. The whole world melted away when he kissed me, and I want to do it over and over again. Like yesterday in the cafeteria, he shields us with this little bubble, and I never want to leave it. I didn’t have a care in the world in that moment, and I don’t have one now. I’m just a normal teenage girl having her first kiss with a boy. Though I’m not sure you could call Ren a boy.
I wanted him to show up so bad this morning, but I was scared about what would happen if he didn’t. Not wanting to have to face it, I decided to walk. It was silly and stupid and made no sense, but I was scared. For no reason. He came, and I have a feeling he will always come for me.
This time I push forward, deepening the kiss. His lips part, and I try to replicate the same soft touch of tongue he gave me. A sound leaves his throat, or maybe it’s me who makes the sound. I try to move in closer, wanting no space between us. He wraps his arms around me, his hands going to my back.
I jerk from the pain that shoots through my body, but I’m unable to move with Ren’s arms wrapped around me. My eyes meet his and his face fills with concern.
“Sorry,” I mumble, hoping he doesn’t ask. But the hope is short-lived.
“Turn around,” he commands.
“It’s nothing. I just fell and hit a table.” I didn’t look at the bruise this morning, so I have no idea how bad it is. I could feel it, but I couldn’t bear to look at it. I didn’t need a reminder of what happened last night. I’d rather forget about it and try to pretend it never happened.
“Turn around, babe.” He says it softer this time, and I give in. I turn slowly in my seat, bending forward a little as he pushes my coat and shirt up to reveal my lower back.
“Fuck,” I hear him mutter. His big hand softly lingers over the bruise, then I feel his lips. The touch so soft and sweet it makes me want to cry. Who knew a giant of a man could be so gentle?
“Does it hurt, babe?” he asks, making my heart jump in my chest. Every time he calls me babe, it warms me from the inside out.
“No, it’s fine.” He rights my shirt and coat, and I move back to face him. I can see concern written all over his face. “I’m fine, really,” I try to reassure him. It’s nice having someone worry over you. Even about something as little as a bruise.
He leans forward, pressing a soft kiss to my lips. “Let me know if it starts bothering you.”
I nod at him and give him a smile. I can tell the bruise put him on edge, and I’m glad he doesn’t ask for more details about it.
He pulls his Jeep from the curb, heading in the direction of the school. Snow is coming down pretty hard, and I’m glad I don’t have to walk. I can’t stop myself from stealing glances over at him while he drives us. I take little bites of the muffins he brought me, enjoying the sweet treat first thing.
When he catches me, I blush, and he gives me a big smile that goes all the way to his eyes. God, he’s so handsome. He takes my breath away. I wonder if our kiss was his first, too, but shyness gets the best of me and I can’t bring myself to ask. It probably wasn’t. Not with the way some of the girls at school look at him. And he’s the star of the football team. I’d rather not know about any of his other kisses.
“Don’t move,” he tells me when we pull into the school parking lot. He grabs my backpack and hops out, then comes around to my side of the Jeep. He opens the door for me and helps me down, and I reach for my backpack. He shakes his head and gives me one of his beautiful smiles again. “I got it, babe. Besides, your back hurts.”
The backpack wasn’t hurting my back, but I know he isn’t going to give it to me. He takes my hand in his after he shuts the Jeep door and we make our way into the school. I notice people turn to look at us. A few say hi to Ren. He gives them a chin nod, not speaking to them. It’s clear he’s popular, but I’m not sure he likes that much.
When we get to his locker I glance around and see more people are looking at us. I’m not sure if they’re looking at me or him. I’m not paying attention as Ren starts to unzip my coat, taking it off of me, then removing my hat and gloves. He shoves them into his locker before taking off his own and putting it in.