Page 10 of Moonstruck at Midnight
“I can see where you got your auburn hair from,” he said, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear. “And to answer your question, my father is a United States Senator. We attended today’s event, but after dinner, I excused myself and wandered off on this street until I saw Hôtel Costes and decided to go inside for a few drinks. And then my night got better.” He licked his lips and turned to look at mine. He was making me nervous. I wanted that kiss.
“I’m sure you had no trouble getting into the bar.” I teased.
“What do you mean?” He laughed, standing up. I’m sure he was aware of how handsome he was. But he probably wanted me to tell him.
I eyed him up and down and said as a joke, “Rowing crew comes with its perks.” I directed a haphazard gesture at him, suggesting his statuesque appearance was the answer to his question.
He laughed again. “I’m sure the bouncers cleared the way for you when you arrived,” he returned, sitting on the couch next to me.If he knew we needed to pull some strings to get in…
He placed one hand on my face and the other on the armrest. There was no way I could escape him now, and I didn’t mind one bit. He owed me a kiss.
My head was still spinning. I wasn’t sure if it was the wine or just his face that kept drawing near mine. He brushed my lower lip with his thumb, and something ignited inside me, like a sudden blaze that made my body tremble.
“This freckle,” he whispered, glimpsing at my lower lip. “Come here.” He held my chin and leaned in to kiss me. It was a tender kiss that gradually intensifying its rhythm, and I threw myself entirely into the moment.
Thomas bit my lower lip and released it as our eyes met for a heartbeat, and once again, his soft, perfect, heart-shaped lips searched for mine.
My hands played with his smooth hair, twirling it with my fingers. This was my first kiss ever, and I didn’t want it to stop. On the other hand, Thomas seemed to know what he was doing.
The sound of laughter coming from the few remaining guests in the distance made me pull away from him. The event was held on the second floor.
It was now or never.
“I’ll be right back,” I whispered into his ear. Thomas threw himself back on the couch with a smile. I stood up and winced as my feet touched the floor, but the cold tiles gave them comfort as I walked away to fetch my camera.
I made my way to my room undetected and came back down to meet him with my camera strap hung around my neck and a ten-inch LED ring to help with the lighting. It was the fastest thing I could grab.
“Really?” He grinned.
“Oh, yes, I’m not letting that face leave without having it go through my lens,” I replied as I connected the light ring.
“This wall will work.” I gestured at the white gilded Rococo style wall. Thomas slid his hands inside his pockets and leaned his back against the wall, taking in the room we were in, waiting for me to finish setting things up.
“Voila!” I turned on the light ring, and Thomas squinted and covered his eyes with the back of his hand, seeking shelter from the intense luminosity pointed at him.
“Sorry about that. Um, could you stand facing me and look through the light ring, please?” I asked. “Try to make no gestures or smiles. Just stand completely still for me.” I snapped a few shots of him and checked back on the camera’s display screen. His face registered beyond perfection.That jawline. “Can you lean your back against the wall again?”
“Of course.” He seemed to enjoy my direction.
“Now lift your chin just slightly and follow the camera with your eyes alone.” I stood two feet to his right, facing him. He did as he was told.
I wanted to try something I learned in one of my photography classes. I told him to think about someone or something he hated. “Pull that out from the inside and try to project it through your eyes.”
He looked at me with narrowed eyes and pursed lips, then looked away as he thought about what I had just asked of him. It didn’t take much time for his brows to pull together into a frown.
The camera registered his right side at an oblique angle when I shot his face. His left eye and cheekbone sunk into darkness, transforming Thomas completely as a shadowy veil came upon his features. His eyes followed my lens, filled with resentment—his mouth half-open and relaxed, slightly revealed his top teeth.
Like a bird of prey—patiently waiting. Evaluating. Ready to strike with the full force of his wrath.
A few shots were all it took to capture what I wanted. I hoped he was okay. He seemed upset, and I was curious to know what he was thinking about, but I wouldn’t dare ask.
“Thank you.” I laid down my camera, switching off the light ring. He stood there quietly in the dark as if deeply trapped in his thoughts.
“Are you okay?” I asked.
“Of course.” He forced a weak smile back at me.
“You could always consider a career in acting,” I joked, trying to lighten the mood, “since you take such good direction.”
