Breathless
Chapter 11
It seemed like we were driving for hours. We finally stopped at
the very top of a mountain. Xavier got out, and sat in the bed of
his truck. I got out and joined him, sliding under the blanket he
had brought. It was chilly this far up, even though it was still
considered summer.
“When you
look, you can see almost all of Sacramento. And, for once, the
stars,” He said, pointing at the sky. “Down in the
city, you can’t because of all the lights. But up here,
it’s so clear and beautiful.” He leaned back against
the side, and gazed up at the stars. After a few minutes, he
finally looked at me.
“It’s
beautiful,” I said, looking at his big brown eyes.
“It might be one of the most beautiful things I’ve
seen.”
“It’s not for
me. The most beautiful thing, I mean.” Xavier’s eyes
held some intensity. I looked at him, confused. What could
possibly be more beautiful than this? As if reading my mind, he
answered. “You’re the most beautiful thing I have
ever laid my eyes on, Addison Sparks.” Xavier leaned in.
After almost four weeks of knowing each other, and wishing for
this, he was finally going to kiss me. My heart pounded inside my
chest. I had waited for this, for what seemed like forever. I
leaned in, meeting him halfway. At first, his lips were soft and
patient against mine. But, as he cupped my face, they became more
urgent. They slid over mine lazily, making me shiver with
delight. I had waited so long, and now it was finally happening.
I let the blanket fall down around me, revealing my open jacket
and sports bra. Goose bumps rose up on my skin. Xavier placed his
hand on my side, sending tingles throughout my whole body, and
making me feel like I was on fire. Finally, after a few minutes,
I pulled back to take a breath. Xavier leaned his forehead
against mine. He smiled, and took my hand.
“You
don’t know how long I’ve waited for that,” I
admitted, giggling.
“Why
didn’t you say something?” He asked his brown eyes
wide. Just looking into them made me speechless. I looked down at
my hands, playing with the hem of my pants.
“You were
with Caitlyn. I had heard so many different things about how you
guys would always go back to each other, how you guys broke up
five times over the summer. I figured I didn’t stand a
chance.” This was the very first time I had ever admitted
my feelings for him aloud. I heard him shift, and he was beside
me, wrapping his arm around my waist.
“You
know, I liked you. That very first day, when Mrs. Plumley paired
us up, I saw you, and I felt something stir inside of me. Ever
since then it’s been hard to be within a ten foot span of
you without pulling you close to me, and kissing you.” I
tensed up at his words. They reminded me so much of Daniel. I
hadn’t thought of him in weeks, but his image in my mind
grew brighter with every passing second. “Addison?”
His voice was uneasy, like he was worried. “Why are you
crying?” Crying? What was he talking about? I touched my
face, and sure enough, there were tears trickling down my face.
He took his thumb, and traced the tear tracks down my face,
eliminating them.
“I’m
sorry,” I said, shaking my head, “It was just the way
you said that. Reminded me of someone I… knew.” I
decided I wouldn’t bring up Daniel. Things would get messy
fast if I did.
“It’s alright.
You don’t have to apologize.” He stood up, and held
out his hand. “Let’s get back. It’s cold, and
you don’t have clothes on.” I blushed, remembering my
running outfit. I fumbled with my jacket, zipping it up. I stood
up, and took his hand. Nothing had ever felt so good in my
entire life.