Page 38 of All at Once

Enrique moves in closer, yet I stand still. I nudge myself forward without having any sense of direction. My heartbeat is thudding so loud that I can’t hear my own thoughts.

As he leans in more, I wonder when exactly I should close my eyes.

On that same note:Where do I put my hands? On his shoulders? His neck? Around his back?There’s so many options, and yet all I do is keep them at my sides.

Maybe closing my eyes this quickly wasn’t a smart move when my nose bumps into his.Fuck.This would be the epitome of me telling him I’ve never had my first kiss without telling him that I’ve never had my first kiss.

I open my eyes just to see what I’m doing when his eyes meet mine, and I give him the most awkward grin probably in all of humanity.

But then his hand reaches out before I feel his fingers run through my hair. It’s enough to calm me down a bit, while alsomaking my heart rate immediately spike up. I try to close my eyes but this time after him, to make sure I don’t make a fool of myself.Again.

Then it happens.

I don’t know if it’s my lips shaking this much, but I barely feel anything. So when it’s over, I’m almost thinking to myself,that’s it?

All those years of anticipation led to this crucial moment, only for it to feel lackluster at best.

It has to be my nerves though. I run my fingers through his hair, wondering how he made this gesture look so appealing, before timidly pressing my lips onto his again.

His arms wrap around my lower back while his lips part open slightly.

Okay,now what do I do?

Do I put my tongue into his mouth? Do I wait for him to puthistongue inmymouth?

Do I just run back to my room?

The first logical step would be to actuallyopenmy mouth slightly as well, when I quite literally tell myself,fuck it.

My tongue is gently met with his warm and clearly more skillful one, the awkwardness slowly turning into a more pressing sensation that’s now cascading down my body.

Okay. This is actually nice.

And what do you know? I’m finally living out a daydream.

I feel Enrique’s hands move back up my body before he holds the side of my neck, to which I immediately jolt back.

That’s where this dream ends.For now at least.

His brows crease, but before he tries to say anything, I nervously proclaim, “I just got a phone call.” I really should’ve run back to my room when I had the chance.

The expression on Enrique’s face confirms to me how idiotic I sound. “That’s funny I didn’t hear anything,” he says, bewildered. “Did I do something?”

“No! You were excellent.” His look of concern is only making me feel worse for letting my doubts cause him to doubt himself. “You probably didn’t hear it since it’s on vibrate. I felt it.”Jasmine, stop talking!

“Oh, okay,” he says apprehensively. His manners stop him from questioning me further even though I’m convinced that he doesn’t really believe me.

“So I’ll see you tomorrow?” I say as an attempt to make sure everything is still normal.

“Tomorrow’s a little busy for me,” Enrique replies, running his fingers through his hair hesitantly. “I have this small shift in the morning.”

I try not to look hurt, despite knowing I’m the one that just made things awkward. “Oh no worries. I understand.”

“We’re going surfing again the following day though if you want to join?” he kindly offers with a half-smile.

“That sounds great. This time I’m ready so be prepared,” I say, grateful that he seems to be ignoring what just happened, hoping my attempt at flirting will salvage the good moments from tonight.

His smile slightly widens but not enough to reveal his dimples like usual. “Looking forward to it. Goodnight.”

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