An American Cinderella

I grinned, basking in his smile. “I like you,” I blurted out, not realizing the words had left my mouth until I’d already said them.

Subtle, Aria, I thought to myself. Subtle.

Henry laughed, crinkling his eyes and grinning at my words. “I’m glad.” His laughter stilled, but his smile remained as he looked at me. “I like you, too.”

My heart thrilled and I knew I blushed.

He moved slowly enough that I could have stopped him if I wanted to, putting his hand on my cheek and leaning forward until our mouths touched.

Everything froze for a moment, my heart stopping and my breath solidifying in my chest as his lips touched mine. The sunlight sparkled on the water, caught forever like crystal jewels.

It was a perfect moment.

His lips pressed warm into mine, tasting of sunshine and desire. I kissed him back, my body heating to his touch. His hand tangled in my hair, drawing me to him and anchoring me in a swirl of desire. He took control of the kiss, knowing just what he was doing to drive me wild.

I could feel his smile against my lips when we both pulled back long enough to breathe. Despite barely moving, I was breathless.

“Wow,” I whispered, not sure of what else to say. The sun shone brighter. The sky was bluer. Even the tourists walking past seemed to smile more.

His hand was still in my hair, holding me close to him. I never wanted him to let me go. I wanted to stay right here with him. Or anywhere with him, really. I just wanted him.

He grinned and leaned back over and kissed me again. The second was just as powerful as the first, except I was ready for it this time. My hands went to his chest, feeling the firm muscles under his shirt as I moved my hands under his jacket.

I wanted more. I closed my eyes and enjoyed the thrill of kissing under the trees in the sunshine. It was something out of a love story my mother used to read to me.

“We have to get you back,” he whispered between kisses.

I knew he was right. My two hours had to be up by now, but I didn’t want to go back to scanning old documents that no one cared about. Especially not when I had a hot man kissing me breathless.

“I know,” I said, but I didn’t stop kissing him.

“I don’t want to get you in trouble,” he said, a little more firmly.

“Give me Andre’s number, and Jaqui will let me stay out all week,” I replied, trying to get another kiss. He pulled back slightly. I frowned and looked up at him. I could see duty in his expression. “You’re going to be honorable, aren’t you?”

He chuckled. “I’m more afraid of what that security guard is going to do to me if I don’t bring you back on time.”

“Gus? He wouldn’t...” I paused and thought of the big security guard who walked me to my car when it was dark. He bought me pepper spray for Christmas and my birthday. He had told me I reminded him of his daughters. My shoulders slumped slightly. “Yeah, we should get back.”

Henry carefully released my hair and tucked it behind my ear. His fingers touched my cheek and my heart fluttered. He smiled as he slowly stood and offered me his hand.

His palm was warm against mine as I reluctantly rose to my feet. He adjusted his hat to cover his hair better, tipping the brim lower as we moved out into the sunshine. I kept his hand in mine, enjoying the way he felt beside me as we walked the paths back to my workplace.

Our conversation was easy as we walked. He told me more about Paradisa. Apparently it was a rainy place, but that it was always green because of it. It rarely snowed there except around Christmas time, which made the snow feel more special. Being in Western Europe, it was of course filled with castles and history that the US just didn’t have. He went to elementary school in a castle built two hundred years before the Declaration of Independence was even signed.

“I’d love to visit Paradisa,” I said as we made the last turn before my workplace. “It sounds beautiful.”

“I think you’d like it,” he replied with a smile. He looked over at me and smiled. “I’d love to show it to you.”

My heart skipped two beats and then made up for it by adding in an extra seven. He wanted to see me again. He wanted to show me his country. I knew it was probably just an idle offer, but then I had thought the same thing of his offer to bring me lunch.