Page 76 of Forever Fascinating

“Don’t pull away or shut me out,” she said softly. “I’m here – and perfectly fine with us taking as long as we need. I really like you kissing me, showing me that you care, and spending time with me… and I just felt like I needed to tell you that.”

Matthew swallowed, her words gutting him.

“I’m not shutting you out,” he whispered. “I thought I’d get that shower I mentioned, because I really need to find my incredible girlfriend a charm to go with her other one… so she never forgets me.”

“I never could.”

Nodding, he turned away.

CHAPTER21

JANA

Jana lookedat Matthew sitting beside her on the tram as it raced through what appeared to be some rougher parts of town. They had opted not to drive today because the traffic and roads looked insane. She was really glad that they’d arrived at night, allowing their travels to be a little calmer despite the darkness.

Traffic was bumper to bumper outside. She could hear cars honking as the tram rushed past them all, whisking them away to play among all this chaos.

He seemed so tense sometimes, like he wanted to say something but couldn’t… and other times she saw his guard slip, revealing the enchanting man she was coming to adore.

She’d been so surprised he kissed her this morning – repeatedly.

The night before, standing at the ruins, she’d felt so drawn to him yet wanted to respect the fact that they hadn’t kissed yet because he wasn’t ready… so she’d asked him to close his eyes and leaned up to kiss him softly on the cheek. She hadn’t meant to get so close to his lips, yet when she had? A part of her melted, making her wonder what it would actually be like to be loved by him.

Then he’d turned to her, as if he himself had been surprised at the feeling, before kissing her softly. She’d started this between them, which is what left her reeling this morning, because he’d actually initiated it.

He’d kissed her and kissed her, holding her close, like he couldn’t get enough… and then hugged her.

Something in it, in that simple hug, touched her. It was like he was lost, scared, or broken, clinging to the one thing that made him feel better… or perhaps that was just her being fanciful.

Jana glanced at him again.

Or perhaps not?she realized, watching him.

He was staring straight ahead, his jaw working, as if he was trying to figure all of this out and was slightly disturbed by it. What if those skeletons in his closet were just too much?

Looking up as the tram slowed down, she saw the sign illuminate on the ceiling of the tram, indicating where they were at on the map.

“I think this is us,” she whispered, reaching over for his hand.

“Huh?” he said distractedly, before glancing up and shooting to his feet. “Yes, thank you. Sorry, I was just thinking.”

“I know.”

He glanced at her, looking almost alarmed, as she smiled at him, before leaning forward to drop a gentle quick kiss on his lips.

“I could smell smoke,” she teased, smiling at him… only to see him relax as he finally smiled back.

The doors to the tram slid open and they exited onto the platform, only to have a gust of sea breeze buffet her, causing her to brace herself against Matthew’s arm. Looking in the direction of the wind, she caught her breath.

The Aegean Sea was incredible!

Deep, bright blue waters looked almost crystalline and sparkled in the sunlight in the distance. She could see a few families on the beach, frolicking and playing on the sand, but very few were in the water, making her wonder just how cool it was.

“Ohhh Matthew, just look at it,” she breathed. “I’m speechless and could stare at it in wonder for hours.”

“I know what you mean.”

The timbre of his voice drew her gaze as she realized he was staring at her, speaking to her, and watching her with this open fascination that was humbling. Before she could say anything or comment on it, he smiled suddenly, pointing.

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