Chapter 35: : Chapter 35

‘Wait really? Florence you shouldn’t have lent it to me,’ I tell the girl. Honestly, I felt bad for accepting it in the first place but now, knowing that it has such sentimental value it feels even more inappropriate.

‘It’s fine. As I said, no one used it. I haven’t seen it in years, actually,’ she insists but it still feels wrong.

‘And what if one of the twins throws a fit again and it gets broken? Or what if I accidentally destroy it.’

‘Elija, relax. If it gets destroyed, which I don’t think is likely, then it’ll at least have been played before. My aunt would hate to see her boxed up in our garage.’ I search the girl’s face, trying to find an indication that she’s just being nice but she seems genuine.

‘I’ll take the best care of her,’ I promise. ‘And you’re getting her back as soon as I can get my own.’

‘You’re welcome to have her for as long as you’ll play for me,’ she says hopefully. I grin at that.

‘You want to hear me play?’ I ask to which she nods. ‘Very well, any wishes?’ I let her think while I get the instrument off the wall.

‘Play your favorite,’ she tells me. Then she pats my bed, telling me to come over. I comply happily, any excuse to be close to her is welcome.

I don’t have to think about what to play. A year or so ago, shortly after my breakup with Ricky I composed my own song. I’ve played it at least a hundred times but I can’t seem to get sick of it.

I start playing the intro softly, trying to calm my nerves before singing the first note. I haven’t shown this song to anyone and I barely sing in front of people. The members of my family are the only ones that have heard me before. My family and now Florence. I like that.

I lose myself as the song goes on and only snap out of it after having played the last note.

‘I don’t know what to say. That was beautiful, Elija. Did you make it yourself?’ she asks quietly. I love how she always seems to adapt her voice to situations.

‘Thanks, and yeah,’ I say. Why am I feeling this nervous?

‘You should post or publish it somehow. I’m sure people would love your music,’ she tells me passionately. I can see it in her eyes that she’s already got it all planned out. It’s like when she talks about her books or Harry Potter. She loses herself in it and honestly, I think it’s when she’s most beautiful.

That’s why my heart is skipping beats like crazy and my skin is warming up. I’m painfully aware of her knee touching my thigh and her proximity overall.

I slowly put the guitar down, trying to chuckle it off. When I come back up, the girl’s smile is slowly fading. I can tell the wheels are turning behind those pretty emerald eyes. Then her eyes drop to my lips before quickly snapping back to mine. Florence’s cheeks are bright pink, making me wonder what the girl’s thinking about.

‘You and Joe are really nothing?’ she asks breathily.

‘Nothing,’ I tell her like I did over a week ago.

‘So, you’re totally single?’ she asks shyly, chewing on her bottom lip. Damn, now I’m looking at her lips! I nod since my voice is positively gone. Then I drag my eyes back to hers.

Okay, I’m doing this.

Leaning in, I cup her face and wait for a second, trying to give her a way out just in case. When she leans into my touch, holding my gaze steadily I finally close the distance between us. There’s no way I could have resisted if I tried.

The girl sighs against me and I nearly groan. It’s those little reactions I get from her that make my blood run hotter. And right now, my heart can’t handle anything more. Not after finally kissing her.

Florence pulls back a little and I miss the contact instantly. But then the girl’s hands find my neck and her lips are back on mine, this time more roughly than before. I take that as the hint I’ve been waiting for to pull her a little closer by her waist. I’m trying to take this slow and let her lead but man if I’m not a hair’s breadth away from losing all my self-control.

When I feel Florence move a little, I’m about to pull back, thinking she might be uncomfortable. Instead, she softly straddles my lap and I can’t hold in my groan this time. I wasn’t expecting it, okay? The times I’ve thought about this are lowkey embarrassing but it couldn’t have come close to the real thing.

‘Is this okay?’ she asks softly. Still always thinking about others, this girl.

‘More than okay, Florence,’ I tell her. She chuckles softly and scoots a little closer. Now we’re almost chest to chest. I’m scared of what I might say if I tried speaking now so I just nod. Then she leans down and kisses me again. She keeps her closed lips on mine for a few beats before pulling away slightly only to repeat that a few times.

I’ve been keeping my hands on the girl’s waist like the good gentleman I am but now they’re moving down on their own accord. I stop myself before they can grope her but can’t help to pull her all the way against me. I’m sure she can feel the effect she has on me but she doesn’t seem to mind. Instead, the girl’s hands tangle further in my hair and she tugs on them softly. She deepens the kiss, and I happily open my lips for her when I feel her tongue swipe against them.

Then she starts moving her hips, grinding against my hard dick. The movement is shy and that alone makes me want to groan again. What is it with this girl and having such an effect on me? I tighten my grip on her waist, intending to keep her from torturing me any more but she moans softly against my lips.

‘Fuck, Florence, I’m trying really hard to take this slow,’ I breathe against her. She pulls back a little more to look at me.

‘Just don’t,’ she says. I smile at her and brush a stray strand behind her ear, taking in her red lips.

‘Don’t tempt me. Besides my whole family is home.’

‘Oh shit.’ I can tell she’s forgotten all about that especially when she tries to scramble off my lap. I shake my head with a chuckle and hold her in place.

‘They won’t come in here. Not without knocking, at least. Besides we’re both adults so don’t worry.’

‘Your dad already hates me,’ she mumbles with a laugh.

‘What are you talking about, of course, he doesn’t’ She just shrugs and smiles some more. ‘Florence, my dad doesn’t hate you. He’s just a bit protective. Just give him a chance to get to know you and he’ll warm up a bit. He won’t be able to help it,’ I assure her. She leans against me, her head on my chest as I lay down on my back.

I wrap my hands around her and draw circles on her back as we talk.

When it’s time for dinner, May and Daniel pound on my door.

‘Kai said to tell you to get dressed. We’re eating in five minutes!’ May yells. I can hear her and Daniel giggle while the girl on top of me stiffens.

‘Oh god, is that what your family thinks we were doing? I’ll never be able to face them again,’ she groans into my chest as I laugh.