Page 116 of All at Once

He licks his lips agonizingly slowly. “When you sang Taylor Swift’s songsworsethan I do. When we woke up together and you felt so perfect laying on my chest.” I gasp at this revelation, thinking that Luca hadn’t even realized the position we’d been in.My heart flutters, knowing he felt exactly the same as I did. “When you told me how hard you’re trying to push yourself even when it feels discouraging.”

He takes a deep breath and reaches out to gently grasp my hand. Chills erupt all over my body as he adds, “Andespeciallythat night when you hugged me for the first time. Just when you were about to let go, all I wanted was to pull you back into my arms and kiss your lips. The next morning when I saw you again, that’s all that was on my mind. I couldn’t even look at you. I thought that would help me get over what I was feeling. But the second we started talking again and just hearing your voice, looking into your eyes the way I was desperately trying not to, I couldn’t take it anymore—”

AndIcan’t take another second without feeling his lips on mine.

I dive right into him the way you’d do the second a race kicks off, and cut off his sentence with the kiss I’ve wanted to give him since that first week.

Just like our first hug, my sudden unexpected gesture prevents Luca from reacting right away. But when his arms finally wrap around my waist, I smile into his lips as his curve against mine. The built-up tension is so consuming it’s as if we both don’t know where to place our hands first. So I reach down his sides, and he travels up my shoulders.

It’s a kiss where you feel the most invigorating sparks leap from all around you. One that you don’t want for it to end, and you don’t quite remember how it started, you just know the only moment you’ll even think of pulling away is to get enough oxygen to continue. It’s a kiss that feels like the last first kiss you ever want to have.

A flutter from my heart while his fingers graze over my neck. The rise of his chest when my hands trace the edges of his jaw. Apool of heat down my stomach from the brush of his hips against mine. The catch in his breath from my impatient sighs.

His lips aren’t just touching mine. There’s intention behind each push. Each pull. His upper lip slipping in between my slightly parted ones, softly tugging on my bottom lip so gently before letting go, only to move his mouth to another place on my mouth, to another angle, another pressure. And doing it. Over. And over again. It’s gentle but anxious. Sweet but hot. And soaddicting.

I may have started the kiss, but he’s showing me that everything I imagined about his lips wasmorethan true. Already feeling like I’m bursting at the seams, a small moan escapes from my lips and into his mouth when the tip of his warm tongue dances over mine. Hearing him groan in response is so sensual that I would have lost my balance if his hands weren’t tightly curled around my lower back. My fingers by default cling onto his golden strands, pressing his weight closer to me, frantically wanting to feel so muchmoreof him.

When we both pull away for air, I gasp while pretending to walk away. “Uh, I’m gonna go lay down before I fall down.”

“No need. I’ll catch you.” Luca smirks as he scoops me into his arms, making my knees go weak before he’s even kissed me again. “The bar is playing live music tonight, and I was wondering if you maybe wanted to go with me?”

I just kiss him again…

After I let go, his lips curve to the side. “So was that a maybe?”

I snort before he pulls me back into athirdkiss.

_________

It’s too late to call Georgia right now, but there’s no way I’m not telling her right this instant. My fingers shake as I type arguably the most important message I’ve ever sent her my entire life:

Jasmine: Luca and I kissed. AHHH I’m losing my fucking mind rn...sorry I couldn’t wait to call you

While struggling to look for something to wear tonight, I’m surprised to find my red cocktail dress, almost forgetting that I even brought it with me. Not as surprised as how confident I now feel to finally wear it.

After putting it on, I notice how it hugs almost all of my curves, my heartbeat immediately spiking at the anticipation of Luca seeing me in it soon.

When my phone vibrates, it’s flooded with messages from Georgia:

Georgia: Are you kidding me?!! How was it? Is that all you did? Is he a good kisser?

Jasmine: It was unreal. Better than I imagined. And he’s an incredible kisser...

Georgia: Is that all you did?

Jasmine: LMAO I love how you asked me that twice

Georgia: I love how you’re ignoring me twice

Jasmine: So far yes. Hopefully not for too long though

Georgia: It wouldn’t kill you to show some excitement

Jasmine: LOL

After running late per usual and telling Luca I’d meet him at the bar, I almost gasp when I spot him sitting at a candle-lit table, wearing a white linen dress shirt and navy pants.

I forget all about the guitar melodies filling the air. I forget about the twinkling lights covering the entire patio. The same ones that I couldn’t stop focusing on when I first got here.

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