Etching Our Way (Broken Tracks 1)

“Tris—” I press my finger against her lips, her gasp audible as her breath skates across my finger.

My gaze drops down as I track a path along the outline of her bottom lip. So soft, so plump. My muscles tense as I remember how they used to feel against mine and I step closer to her, not able to pull myself away even if I wanted to.

Her head tilts back, our chests nearly touching as the lights flash overhead, dancing over her features. I move my hand and trail my finger over her cheek and down her neck where I place my whole palm, cupping it. Goose bumps prickle her skin and her eyes darken, changing color like they used to all those years ago.

I search her eyes and she moves forward slightly, giving me all the permission that I need to slam my lips down on hers.

As soon as they connect, I groan, my hand moving from her neck and into her hair, grasping it as my other hand snakes around her waist, pulling her flush against me.

Her answering moan has my tongue swiping along the seam of her lips, asking—begging—for entrance. She opens them up, allowing me in and I drag my tongue against hers, groaning at the feel of it. Her hands grip my biceps as I deepen the kiss, trying to pour everything I’ve been feeling for the last ten years into it.

I move forward a step, trapping

her against the wall as her tongue grazes mine and she pushes her hands into my hair, having to stand on her tiptoes so she can reach.

The longer we kiss, the slower it turns. It’s not as desperate as it was at first, and now I know that she wants me as much as I want her. The pulling on my hair and the moans coming from her attest to that.

My hands start to wander of their own accord as she swipes her tongue leisurely against mine for a second time. They follow the delicate curve of her spine and down to her ass where I pull her impossibly closer, letting the pads of my fingers dig deep into the soft flesh.

My heart beats like a drum in my chest and I pull away slowly, my gaze meeting hers as her eyes flutter open. I stare into their depths, finally ready to admit—not only to her, but myself too—why I was at the adult class.

“You want to know why I was there that Friday?” I ask, my voice deep.

“I…” Her teeth sink into her bottom lip, making me want to do the exact same thing to them. “What are you—”

“That’s why.” I pause for a beat, my hands moving to cup each side of her neck as I move so close my nose touches hers. “Because it doesn’t matter where we are or what we’re doing; I always come back to you.”

“But—”

I don’t let her say anything, slamming my lips back down on hers, telling her with my actions how much I’ve missed her; how much I wish I never walked away from her and caused the devastation that I did.

I push my hips into her stomach, showing her how much she affects me before she pulls away, her breaths now pants as I stare into her sparkling eyes. Neither of us look away from each other as I settle my forehead against hers.

“Tristan?” a voice calls and I straighten up, turning my head slightly to see Edward waiting in the car ten feet away.

“I guess this non-date has turned into a date,” she says breathlessly.

“I guess it has,” I answer, my voice gravelly and deep.

She smiles big and bright as I pull back slightly, watching her expressive eyes, ready for the doubt to set in. But it doesn’t; all I see is want and happiness.

She lets her head rest against my chest and I wrap my arms around her, basking in the feel of her back in my arms. “Let’s get you home,” I say before turning around and putting my arm around her waist, leading her toward the car and opening the door for her.

I unwrap my arm from around her and let her slide into the seat before she looks back up at me, smiling. That smile has my soul singing and a piece of my heart slowly slipping back into place.

I don’t know what will happen from here, and if I was the person that I used to be, I’d overthink every little thing. But I’m not that person now. There’s only two things that I’m sure of: that all we can do is take this day by day, and that I want her with my entire body and soul.

Paolo Nutini—Last Request

Ed Sheeran—Perfect

I hum a soft tune to “Baby F” who is lying on my chest, smiling like an idiot.

“Last night must’ve been some night,” Mom states.

A grin creeps up my lips. “Mmhmm.”

Her answering smile has me blushing. “It’s good to see you happy again. If he makes you happy, then you have my blessing.” She pauses, a tight smile on her face. “But… like I said last night, be careful, sweetheart.”