The party was wild, but I didn't feel like being part of it. Luigi and I slipped away, leaning against the fence in a quiet corner of the backyard.
"You look extra cute tonight," he said, flashing that teasing grin that always got me.
I rolled my eyes but smiled. "You're just messing with me."
He leaned closer, his hand brushing mine. "I mean it."
I raised an eyebrow, leaning in just a little. "What else you got?"
His gaze flickered to my lips for a second, and my heart skipped. "You wanna kiss me or what?" I asked, pretending to act casual.
His eyes widened, but he leaned in anyway, pressing his lips against mine for a quick kiss. It was soft, playfulânothing serious, but it made my stomach do flips.
"See? That wasn't so bad," I said, breathless.
He smirked, pulling back. "Maybe I'll do it again... if you're lucky."
"I'm always lucky," I teased, feeling the tension between us build.
He stepped closer, lips almost touching mine again, but then he pulled away with a grin. "This could get dangerous."
I laughed, wanting more. "Let's see how dangerous we can get."
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Luigi's smirk faded for a second as he looked at me, his eyes softening. There was a flicker of something vulnerable there, like he wasn't quite sure if he should go for it.
But then, without missing a beat, he leaned in againâthis time, his lips pressing gently but lingeringly against mine. It was sweet, not rushed, just a quiet moment shared between the two of us.
When we finally pulled away, I caught a glimpse of his flushed cheeks, his breath a little heavier than usual.
"So," he said, his voice a little shaky, "how's that for dangerous?"
I smiled, tracing a finger lightly over his hand. "I think we can handle it."
He chuckled softly, his thumb brushing over my knuckles. "I'm not so sure," he teased, but there was a warmth in his eyes that made my heart flutter.
For a second, neither of us moved. Just stood there, a few inches apart, the quiet of the night surrounding us, until he leaned in once moreâthis time just to rest his forehead against mine.
"Maybe I'll kiss you again... but only if you ask nicely," he said, grinning.
I grinned back, feeling the electricity between us. "Please."
He laughed, the sound easy and warm, and kissed me again, this time slow, like he had all the time in the world, no rush, no pressureâjust the two of us sharing something simple and real.