Page 19 of Love at a 7-Eleven

"Are you a priest?" I said, not making eye contact.

"I’m not a priest," he said, putting a hand on my arm. He gave me a gentle tug toward him before dropping his grasp. He glanced at me with a pleading look, and I knew he was asking me not to step away. He was this big, strong, dangerous-looking guy, and there he was, staring sincerely like he was figuring out how to even touch me. "I'm not a priest," he said again softly.

"But what you're saying is the same, right? Are you saying that you took some kind of vow?"

"No, I mean, sort of, with some people. I've just been quoted as saying that I've given my life to God and that I don't want any sort of companionship."

He stopped talking and took a deep breath, I saw his chest expand as he breathed. He stared at me, taking in my face, his gaze traveled slowly down to my mouth.

"I had so much fun with you last night," he said.

"Me too."

"I love talking to you, and I didn't want it to end."

"Me neither," I said, fighting breathlessness. "You're so smart. I feel like you remembered every single thing I said."

"I did," he said, staring intently at me. His expression changed, and there was a hint of confusion. "I cannot stop thinking about you." He was so serious and concerned that I grinned.

"That's not so bad."

"This doesn't usually happen to me, Lila." He put his hand on my arm again, but he dropped it.

"It's okay," I said. "Could I just give you a kiss on the cheek, maybe?"

"Yes, please," he said.

I gently held onto his arm for balance as I stretched upward. I kissed his cheek, placing my mouth gently but firmly on the side of his face. I tried not to leave it on there for more than a second.

"This is unexpected, Lila. I feel things for you that I wasn't expecting. I'm not going to talk about it in front of Marcus and his family right now. I'm sorry about that, but I want to keep it between us for now."

"It's okay," I assured him.

I really wanted to be near him. He wasn't holding me, but we were close and he wasn't pulling away.

"Kevin's in bed by nine. I can meet you any time after that. To study, I mean."

"Yes, when do you want to get together?"

"Tonight at nine. I would like to see you every night until I leave, please, if that's okay."

"I would like to see you, too," I agreed easily.

He leaned toward me just an inch. Then he paused and then did it again. We were really close now. He was irresistible, and the awkwardness over kissing me was endearing.

I grinned. "Are you going to kiss me?"

He nodded. "You have no idea how much I want to. The feeling is unbelievable."

He still seemed hesitant.

"Well, we can take it slow. I don't want you to do anything that makes you feel—" I didn't finish my sentence because Caleb lowered his head and kissed me. He moved to do it, and I knew what was happening. Our lips connected. The touch was light, and we weren’t connecting anywhere besides our lips.

I felt hot currents of whooshing liquid rushing through my body.

We held the contact for a second or two before pulling back.

So light.

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