Page 118 of Off the Pitch

Was it odd that I wanted to reach out and touch them? I wanted to run my fingers across his skin, up his neck and along his chin, drawing him closer to me until I could see every tiny, perfect detail of his face. I felt myself blush, skin heating as my thoughts began to run wild.

“Are you okay?” Hugo asked, concern dancing across his features. “You look a little flushed. Is something wrong?”

“No,” I said, shaking my head even though I knew it was a horrible lie. “Well, not really. I mean I don’t think so anyway. I think this is an entirely normal and appropriate thing for me to feel, but still it is rather different for me, and unfortunately the blush is rather inconvenient. You know that’s the problem with being a redhead. I have such terribly pale skin that everything shows up so easily.”

“Kit,” Hugo interrupted, putting his hand on my thigh. I’m sure it was supposed to help me calm down or at least relax because I knew I was rambling in the way I always did when I was nervous. Unfortunately, the gesture didn’t really have the desired effect because his touch set off a barrage of explosions across my body. My leg shivered and Hugo quickly withdrew his hand, probably worried that I was repulsed rather than completely the opposite. “Sorry.”

“It’s fine,” I said, trying to keep my voice level. I felt like I was about to swoon, like one of the heroines in the bodice rippers my grandmother had been fond of. “You don’t need to apologise.”

“Are you sure you’re okay? What’s going on?”

“CanIkissyou?” The words tumbled out of me in a jumbled mess.

“Huh?”

“I said, can I kiss you?” This time my words were shaking and breathless. “Please. I mean if that’s alright with you.”

Hugo shifted closer to me. “Are you sure?”

“Yes. I think I am. But um, perhaps you could kiss me instead? I’m not really sure what I’m doing, and I’d rather not attack your face like a sucker fish.”

Hugo chuckled, closing the gap between us, his hand reaching up to cup my jaw. “You’ll tell me if you’re uncomfortable, won’t you?”

I tried to say yes, but for once my mouth was having difficulty forming words, so I nodded instead. My heart was beating so fast I thought it might explode, and my whole body tingled as if full of electricity. Hugo’s hand gently drew me closer to him, until I could see every tiny detail of his face. His other hand reached out to find mine, our fingers wrapping together on the soft fabric of the sofa. I didn’t think I was breathing.

His lips met mine; warm, soft, and sweet. The taste of chocolate still lingering on them. It was no more than a gentle press. No more than others had tried in the past. And yet it felt like I was coming apart at the seams, like my whole body was being turned upside down and inside out in mere moments.

This was nothing like kissing a dead fish.

This was like nothing I’d ever felt before in my life.

Hugo pulled back, blinking down at me as his eyes seemed to search for some sign of discomfort or unhappiness on my face. He wouldn’t find any. At that moment, it felt like I was made of sunlight.

“Was that okay?” His voice was barely above a whisper.

“It was perfect,” I murmured. “So perfect. Just like you.”

I reached up with my spare hand and trailed my fingers up his neck and along his jaw, watching as Hugo’s eyes widened, his tongue darting out to wet the pink skin of his lips. I drew him closer to me again, my lips searching his out, almost desperate to feel them again.

The kiss was firmer this time, more insistent and less like a tentative suggestion. I thought I might actually melt and dissolve into a puddle on the floor. One kiss wasn’t enough, I realised as Hugo started to draw away. I think I made a rather squeaky noise of displeasure, although I couldn’t really be sure.

All I knew was that I didn’t want this to end because this was everything I’d ever dreamt kisses should be.

Chapter Fourteen

HugoWhat is the British obsession with Yorkshire puddings? I’ve been living here eight years and I still don’t get it

KitYou do realise this is tantamount to heresy?! Off to the tower with you =P

Kit

I sighed as I flicked through Tumblr, casually ignoring all my work while keeping half an eye on the messenger as I desperately waited for my best online friend, Volt, to message me back.

MackSo… I kissed him last night.

VoltYes!!!! Was it good? Did you enjoy it?

MackYeah it was. Good I mean. But also, yes, I enjoyed it. A lot.

---