KAIDEN
I USUALLY DON’T kiss on the first date, but maybe that’s because I’ve never really connected with anyone as fast as I am tonight. Do we have a real connection or is this. . . tension? As I start to walk away, disappointment sets in and I imagine the rest of my evening alone. Just then the warmth of his hand grabs me gently, turning me towards his gaze. Butterflies fill my stomach, but nerves subside as I realize what's about to happen. I surrender to his touch, his force pulling me in close, so close, the smell of wine on his breath tickles my senses. Reaching for my cheek he pushes my hair and softly grasps my chin. Oh, he knows what he’s doing.
This whole time I’ve neglected to look him in his eyes, focusing on his lips and how perfect they would feel against mine. He must realize this because the smirk on his face affirms that he’s got me right where he wants me. And he’s not wrong. I part my lips waiting, yearning for his to meet mine. Fuck it. Taking the final plunge, I kiss him tenderly, slowly. His hands drop to my waist firmly pressing on my lower back and I allow myself to be enveloped in this moment.
The heat rises between us and I can’t help but think this might go too far, but I can’t stop, I won’t stop. We get down baby, we get do — Kaiden, focus! Relaxing my arms around his neck I take my time exploring this feeling of infatuation and passion. But before I can fuse into him any further, he stops, backs up, and trails away from me slowly.
“I’m — I don’t want to overstep. . .,” he says apologetically.
Overstep?
“. . . I really like you, but I want us to take it slow.”
TaKe It SlOw, it was just a kiss, man!
“Yeah, yeah, I get it. I agree. The silence sets in between us. Come up for a night cap? I say shyly.
He stares at me for a couple of seconds; debating on whether he should even entertain the thought of being alone with me any longer. But before he can answer I grab his hand leading him to the entry of my building.
“Come on, it’ll be fun.”
He doesn’t resist, not that he wanted to in the first place.
“You’re gonna be trouble, huh?” he says suspiciously.
“Not tonight. . .,” I confirm cheekily.
“. . .but I promise, it’ll be innocent fun.”
We finally reach my floor and I’m getting nervous. Placing his hands on the elevator door, he motions for me to step off first, but I know it’s just to get a glimpse of me from behind. Leading the way to my apartment, I work this hallway like a high fashion runway. My little dump truck thangin’! As I start to put the key fob to the door, I quickly turn around and ask,
“You don’t happen to be a serial killer or anything, right?”
“I mean, it’s a little too late for that question don’t you think?” he says jokingly. “But no, I am not, just regular, degular, Darren Mathews.”
We laugh as I open the door, flick on the light, and kick off my heels in one swift motion.
“I mean a girls gotta ask, right?” For real though. He nods in confirmation. “Please, make yourself comfortable.”
He takes his shoes off by the door and thank goodness for that because there's something so uncomfortable about presenting house rules to a first time guest. While he does that, I make my way to the kitchen to make us a couple of drinks. Girl, you’re uncapping bottles of beer, relax!
“I get it! You can never be too careful out here. I have the same conversations with my niece since she likes to be in the streets so damn much. But she don’t hear me though.” he continues.
Wow, he sounds just like my sister.
“How old is your niece?” I say handing him a bottle.
“A fresh twenty. Her birthday just passed.” he answers in annoyance.
I sit in the empty space next to him on the couch and motion for my phone to play some music.
“See, that's why! She has to live and see what's out there. You know, date a little.”
“Ain’t nothing out here though. These men ain’t shit!”
“So, you ain’t shit or what?” I rebuttal quickly, but instantly regretting it.
“Nah, I am the shit, you’ll find out.” he says confidently.
Chopping it up for what feels like ten minutes, we continue to exchange laughs that fade to soft giggles, disappearing into the dim melodies of my playlist. He reaches for my hand taking what's left of my beer, placing it on the coffee table in front of us. His eyes turn serious as he inches a little closer to me, and my nerves become unmanageable. But this time, I take control.
I lift my hands, wanting to stop him, but not really. Yearning for his touch, I grasp the nape of his neck as our lips finally meet again, and I allow myself to get completely lost in this. I stop for a minute and our eyes meet as I pull away.
“Unh mmm, where you goin’?” he says smoothly.
I laugh a little even though I know he’s serious. Dodging his kiss, he turns his attention to my cheek, then my neck, and I’m enjoying every second of it. In one haste motion he pulls me closer, sending a shiver down my spine, and I know if I don’t stop this now it’ll go too far. It seems as if he’s reading my mind and before I can say anything, he looks at me, nodding, signaling that it’s time for him to leave.
I walk him to the door, giving him a final peck.
“Call me?” not really asking.
“Without a doubt. Have a great rest of your night, trouble.” speaking through a laugh.
I close the door wishing he was still here but I’m seriously trying to keep my morals in check. Walking towards the coffee table to clean our mess, a knock arrives at my door. Assuming he left something, I search for a missing item that’s not there. I approach my door slowly, peeking through the hole and my heart skips a beat. Undoing the bottom lock to open the door slightly, just so I can see, he stands there looking pathetic —
“Kaiden, can we please talk?”