Page 166 of One More Kiss

Tori

I REMEMBERED WAITINGALL DAY for Phoenix but understood since I had no phone that I had to do something to pass the time. Go figure as soon as I chose to lie down and read a book, April came into the room and announced his arrival. My stomach seemed to bottom out as the nerves took hold of me. I instantly felt like I wasn’t ready and told April to tell Phoenix I was still getting dressed.

What was even more exciting was the fact that we connected on a whole other level while eating at ‘Two Bites’. I’ve passed the placed many times before but never had the money to try the food.

I didn’t have any other restaurant experiences to compare ‘Two Bites’ to because I’d never ate at one. Though I’d seen them in the movies. ‘Two Bites’ was small and catered to burgers and hot dogs. The walls were an off-white and the entire space had booths lining back-to-back. The only thing that truly stood out was the tiny vases with one flower in each booth. I guessed it was for decor considering the place looked meek. Phoenix had given me the chance to venture out and try new things. For that, I was grateful. We laughed, joked, and talked about everything. Well, everything except his military career.

I figured it seemed too good to be true considering he was enlisted and planning on leaving. Why would anyone stay for a measly girl like me? I wasn’t worth the time spent on me. That’s how I felt as our date progressed, and he never mentioned his intentions. I guessed I just had to wait and see what the future would hold. Would he leave me when all this dating was said and done, or would he somehow include me in the long-distance relationship trial? I was confused and didn’t know what would happen. One thing I knew I wanted, was to continue seeing him. I liked Phoenix more than I liked anyone else, and I knew deep down it would destroy me to end our relationship.

I took the little attention and time Phoenix gave me and relished in it. When he asked where I’d like to go after eating with him, I chose the park. While I made the decision, he pressured me about the bet. I’d won and eaten more burgers than him. Little did he know, I didn’t eat often. Most days my parents had enough food just to feed us but then they’d feel bad when people visited and would offer them food. That meant there wasn’t enough left over, and so I couldn’t eat. Phoenix didn’t know that, and I wasn’t about to spill that information.

I’d never had a hamburger like the one I tasted at ‘Two Bites’, so I gorged. I wasn’t thinking about the bet, only about filling my stomach. In the process I’d won, so I had to think of something as my prize. I thought about what I wanted on the way to the park. The entire time we drove, I made it look like I was staring out the window, but I was really gazing at Phoenix. He was by far the most handsome boy I’d ever been attracted to. His small eyes stayed on the road as I absorbed his features.

His hair had grown allowing brown roots, while the tips were still spiked blonde. Up close his eyes seem to reach into my soul as the hazel and blue swirled together creating a sense of interest. He wasn’t skinny but he wasn’t obese either. He was the perfect average body, though shorter than most boys I’d ever met. It was perfect for me because when we stood by each other, I could see that I’d fit perfectly into his embrace.

That’s when I thought about my prize. I wanted a hug, one where I could feel his entire body pressed against mine. I wanted to see how well we fit together. Not in a sexual sense because well, I’m sure my parents would have a fit, but definitely in a boyfriend and girlfriend kind of way. Would he be okay with my advances? I felt like he was always touching me or grazing my arm, and so he wouldn’t mind my touches. There was only one way to find out. Even though I was nervous, and I felt sick to my stomach, I had to have a least a hug.

After saying my thanks to Phoenix for opening my car door, we walked past the playground. He followed behind as if he wasn’t sure what I was doing. I settled on the metal bench, and he sat next to me. I took that moment to lean on his shoulder. I wanted some sign to see if what I was doing was unwanted, but he allowed the touch.

Then he broke the silence. “Want to tell me what your stakes are for winning, or are you going to make me keep guessing?”

I used that moment to tilt my head toward him, fully expecting Phoenix to turn away but he stayed sitting as if waiting for my reply. I felt like we talked enough. I wanted to feel him, but instead of hugging like I intended, I craned my neck and merged my lips with his.

Phoenix sat still as if frozen, not moving whatsoever. He seemed to be waiting for something, maybe the first move from me. From the chaste kiss alone, my heart felt as if it would thump out of my chest. That’s how edgy and excited I was to finally be this close to him. I slightly opened my lips unsure if he’d take the message I was sending.

Thankfully, he was aware of what I was doing because he slid his tongue past my lips. Instantly, the taste of seasoning from the burgers heightened my senses. I wanted more, so I leaned into his kiss, sliding my tongue against his as our lips continued to kiss.

I moaned into his mouth the second his hand reached back and cradled my body to his. His forearm rested on my lower back and seemed to put a little more pressure against it every time his kiss became demanding. I tightened my legs together, using my thighs to halt the pulsing of my vagina. I wanted Phoenix to rub away the persistent ache, but knew we couldn’t advance, not yet. Besides, we were in public and at a children’s playground. It wasn’t the time or place to make out. Oh, but I wanted to, so badly.

Phoenix pulled back first, “we shouldn’t. Not here.”

The pain seemed to show through as I stared into his eyes. He reached his hand down and readjusted himself, and I knew he was aching just as badly as me. I wished we were in private because I would relieve his torment. I felt like us being together in this moment was just the beginning, I wanted to experience more of this intense heat between us.

As much as I wanted to continue, I nodded my head, “you’re right. Besides, the last thing I need is for my family to find us here. My brothers and sisters are always walking around the neighborhood. One of them would end up catching us.”

“Yeah. I’m just getting in good with your family. But God how I want more of this,” Phoenix admitted, “you captivate me. You’re beautiful and sexy, and I just love the way you feel pressed against my body.”

“I feel the same. You know, but in girl terms.” I said, laughing because I was still nervous. “I know we’re old enough to make out and spend alone time together, but I don’t want to be on my parents’ bad side. After you graduate and leave for the military, I’ll still be living with my parents, hoping to obtain a degree.”

I opened the subject and baited him, though Phoenix didn’t fall prey to the bait. “You’re right. I don’t need you to be on their bad side. Come on. Let’s get you home, and then we can spend more time at your house.”

I sighed, upset about leaving our perfect bubble behind. “Okay. But one more kiss and hug before we go back to my place?”

Phoenix chuckled. “I’ve created a monster.”

“To be fair. I was the one who initiated the contact. You could’ve pushed me away or said no,” I objected, “It wasn’t like I forced you to comply.”

He moved closer to me, wrapping his arms around my shoulders. I placed my hands around his waist.

“You’re right. You totally didn’t force me because I’ve been dying to kiss you since the first day I met you. You just didn’t know it yet,” Phoenix revealed, blushing.

Was that a blush? I’d never witnessed such an action from him and felt all tingly inside knowing I could make him feel shy as well. I didn’t respond to him, instead I leaned forward and connected our lips again. It wasn’t a slow, sweet merging. It was a quick, chaste peck of the lips because both of us knew there was a risk of getting caught, standing so close to the road.

Even knowing the consequences, I wanted to say to hell with it and throw myself at Phoenix. I instantly thought it was even more exciting knowing we could get caught. I vaguely remembered reading something about that somewhere. The excitement of doing indecent acts in public and getting a kick out of it. I doubted I was the only person who felt that way, though my parents never truly discussed certain acts with me or any of my siblings. We were the learn as you go kind of kids. Sometimes it could be a good thing and other times, like now, with the thought of sex and other things, it probably wasn’t so good.

We pulled back, Phoenix opened my car door so that I could get in and strap myself in with the belt. He sprinted to his side, got in and proceeded to head toward my home.

“What else did you want to do today?” Phoenix asked as he continued looking where he was driving.

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