Page 70 of Forever Fascinating

“A serious one and a funny pic,” she prompted, laughing as they both stuck out their tongues, crossing their eyes, and tilting their heads… before smiling at each other.

“And one just like this… of us,” she urged softly, reaching up to touch his cheek. The flash was telling, and she saw it out of the corner of her eyes, yet neither of them moved. “I’m so happy, Matthew.”

“I wish we could freeze time right now, because I could happily exist here forever with you,” he admitted, his voice achingly tender as his thumb caressed her jaw. “I would unplug every clock, yank the battery out of my watch, and do anything just to have time stop moving so quickly.”

Her heart stopped at his words as she searched his eyes, feeling so much at this moment.

“Since the moment I laid eyes on you… nothing has been the same,” he breathed. “I’ve waited patiently for this moment, to see you, hold you, and for this feeling of completion once again when you are near me.”

She stepped forward, needing to hold him close, and wrapped her arms around him. She felt him kiss the top of her head, her forehead, and her temple again.

“I know this feels so fast,” she breathed, “like it’s alarming sometimes, because it seemed almost too easy, but I really like you, Matthew – a lot – and I cannot picture feeling like this with anyone else.”

“I understand,” he said softly, turning her face up towards him so he could look in her eyes. His hazel ones held hers – and she couldn’t look away if she wanted to, because she knew his words were important.

Telling.

“I understand completely, because I’m scared that something will happen or change. I’ve seen relationships die… and I don’t want that for us,” he drew in a ragged sigh before looking away, but not because she saw the fear in his eyes.

Something from his past rattled him and he had skeletons in his closet. Maybe this is why everyone told her to take things slow? Did they know why he would withdraw?

She’d never had a guy pull back so often. Usually, they were hanging all over her or trying to go further than she wanted. She’d maced a drunken guy before for getting too fresh.

“It would devastate me to have something happen, which is why I am trying to take things slow,” he explained gently.

“I am too,” she admitted. “Everyone told me to take things slow with you.”

“Warned you away, did they?” he chuckled sadly. “I’m arrogant, selfish, and impulsive… so yeah, maybe they should have warned you against me.”

Jana smiled at me tenderly.

“For someone who claims to be impulsive, you aren’t when it comes to me,” she teased, letting her hand move slightly from where she had it resting on his cheek, allowing her thumb to trace the corner of his lip… and he immediately kissed it.

“You are the one person I want this relationship to be perfect for. No mistakes, no screwups, no errors… which is why I had to tell you about the hotel room mess. No lies, no secrets, between us. I promise to tell you all my faults, every single time… unless it’s embarrassing,” he chuckled nervously.

“I like that,” she smiled tearfully, looking up at him. “Can I ask a huge favor?”

“Anything, darling.”

“Close your eyes,” she urged softly.

As he shut them, she felt him tense slightly, yet he remained there. She traced her finger over his lips – only to feel him kiss her fingertip again as he chuckled.

“You’re tickling me.”

“Behave, Vapor…” she whispered, laughing softly, before reaching up to kiss his cheek softly, needing to feel him. “I know you wanted to wait to kiss me until you felt it, but I wanted to let you know that I think you are wonderful.”

She pressed another kiss on his cheek tenderly.

“… And I would wait forever,” she breathed softly against his skin – only to hear his intake of breath as he turned his face slightly towards her.

They were standing so close, his breath mingled with hers, both unmoving. His eyes opened slightly as he watched her, waiting, and she felt the softest kiss laid on the corner of her lips that made her sigh with longing as she closed her eyes.

“Matthew…”

She felt him hesitate, as he drew back slightly, before leaning forward to kiss her again, exquisitely gentle, as if he was scared… but couldn’t resist anymore, nor fight this feeling.

As the single kiss ended, both breathless with wonder, she stepped back slightly, taking his hand in hers.

---