“This is going to attract ants,” I said, standing and realizing the drawback of edible art on the ground a little too late.
He made a you’re-being-ridiculous face at me. “This is incredible. I can’t believe you did that with condiments. I’m going to take a picture with my phone.”
I laughed, using the remaining wet wipes to clean my hands thoroughly. “I’m glad you like it.”
“I love it,” he said, snapping a few quick pictures with the camera on his phone. “I mean, seriously. I did not expect anything like this. This is like…the real thing.”
Our gazes met again and maybe it was the high from creating, the buzz from the candy, the magnetic draw I felt to him, or just sheer pleasure from being complimented and validated, but I leaned forward and placed my mouth firmly on his.
His lips were smooth as they yielded against mine. I’d caught him by surprise, but it only took a second before he recovered and brought his arms around me.
He parted the seam of my mouth with his tongue then let it dance tentatively with mine until we became more comfortable touching one another.
I didn’t know what I was thinking. I’d never made the first move before. It just felt like the right thing to do in the heat of the moment.
“Thank you,” I breathed against his lips when we came up for air. “For tonight.”
I wasn’t even sure which part I was most grateful for. Him rescuing me when I got ditched, the fries, the convenient store snacks, or showing an actual interest in my art and calling it real.
It didn’t matter. He didn’t ask for the specifics.
“You’re welcome,” he said, brushing his nose against mine then pulling me closer and deepening our kiss to a level that reached the pit of my stomach.
His hands slid up and down my back, while my fingers dug into his waist. My body wanted more. More pressure of his skin against mine, more of his mouth, more of everything. Before things went too far, his phone rang loudly between us.
Sighing, he placed his forehead against mine before pulling back and looking at the screen.
He answered, but all he said was “Hello,” and then, “Okay, thanks,” before hanging up. He propped his chin on the top of my head. “That was the pizza place. They’re closing soon and our order is ready.”
Reluctantly, we pulled apart. He took my hand and led me back up the hill, away from the water and my work of art.
&nb
sp; After we picked up the pizzas, we headed back to his place. I tried to ignore how quickly time was passing. It was after eleven. I needed to get home.
But not as much as I need more of him, more of this intoxicating freedom.
Aiden carried the beer cases stacked on top of one another and I carried the pizzas. A cluster of drunk people held the door open and several others greeted us with applause as we entered. Aiden sat the beer down on the living room coffee table and we took the pizzas into the kitchen.
As partygoers descended on both like wolves, I focused on getting out of the way.
“Want me to snag us some pizza?” Aiden offered.
I shook my head. “Still full from the fries earlier. But thank you.”
He took my hand once more and we set off in search of his brother. “Axel,” he called out down the hall. “You’re going to miss the beer and the food, Bro.”
A bedroom door was ajar, and a lamp was on, so Aiden pushed it open.
His brother was definitely in there, half-dressed on the bed being rode like a prized stallion by the Kenzie girl from earlier.
I wanted to avert my eyes from her large, round bouncing breasts, but it was like a car accident. I couldn’t look away.
“Ah, my bad, dude.” Aiden yanked the door closed and we stumbled out of the room.
Once we were safely in the hallway, he laughed.
“I’m so sorry about that.” He pulled me into a tight hug, raking his fingers into my hair and bringing my head under his chin as he’d done earlier. “Didn’t mean to traumatize you.”