“Not to mention you get to eat everything,” Mylah jokes. She is blushing a little.
I laugh at how cute that sounded. “Yes, that too. I honestly think I could be a great chef,” I say, then stop talking. I can feel her gaze on me, so I finish my thought out loud. “But I know I’ll never leave the fire station. I love my job, and it’s too important.”
There is a moment of silence. Our conversation has taken such a serious turn. Mylah is staring at me. I think she has forgotten about the glass she is holding. It slips from her hand and lands in the sink with a dull thud. She jumps as soapy water splashes her. The front of her shirt is wet, and she has suds on her cheek. She stares down in disbelief as her cheeks turn bright red.
I try not to laugh, but I can’t hold it in. “I thought you already took a shower today?” I ask. Realizing that I’m joking, Mylah turns to me and laughs. That makes me smile. Her laughter is beautiful and sweet, just like her.
“Here, let me help,” I say. I grab the dish towel that is on my shoulder. I move closer to her and start wiping the suds off her cheek. She even has some in her hair that I didn’t notice before.
Mylah stands there stiffly, almost frozen. I didn’t mean to startle her. I’m just trying to help. I gently grab her hand to hold her in place as I continue to wipe her face. She looks at me, almost shyly, like she's embarrassed. Her green eyes shine brightly. Her lips tremble.
My heart hammers in my chest. It seems like this is new to her, being touched this way. Is it possible that no one has shown her any kindness before?
I put the dish towel down while continuing to gaze at her. I see that same sweet innocence. I lift my hand to her cheek. Her skin is smooth and soft beneath my fingertips. I can hear her breath quicken. Slowly I lean towards her. Our eyes close as our mouths meet. Her lips are soft and plump. I don’t want to frighten her, so I kiss her in the same kind and sweet manner that I have been showing her.
Gradually she starts to melt. Her lips loosen. Gently she kisses me back. She is shy and afraid. I move my hands to her waist and bring her close to me. I need her. I want to feel her. I press my body against hers. This is what I was dreaming about last night.
Mylah reacts unexpectedly. Her arms wrap around my neck. I can feel her hands and fingers running through my hair. She is enjoying the kiss. Maybe she wants more.
Suddenly she stops kissing me and jumps backward, nearly knocking me off balance. I remove my hands from her waist. Embarrassment is written all over her face. Her cheeks are flushed bright red. “Thank you for a wonderful lunch,” she says and runs out of the kitchen.
I can hear her footsteps reach the guest room, then the sound of the door closing. I stand there wondering what just happened. Did I push her too far?
Chapter Eight - Mylah
Night came quickly. I’m lying in bed tossing and turning. I can’t sleep. I just can’t get comfortable. Being here in the cabin is weird. I’m not used to sleeping in places I have never been before. I always feel strange and awkward.
The room is dark. The puppies are asleep in their box. I can tell because the room is quiet. I toss and turn. Laying sideways, I end up looking at the wall.
Despite the phone call from Grayson, today was a pretty nice day. I enjoyed my hike with Kyst this morning. It was lovely of him to make lunch for us. I liked getting to know more about him. Underneath his handsome good looks, he is also a very kind and caring person.
Not to mention a really great kisser. I can’t fight my smile as I think about that incident. That was fun. Probably my favorite thing about today. That kiss was so different than my horrible first kiss. I still shudder thinking about it. Kissing Kyst was so different from Grayson. I liked it so much. I would definitely kiss him again. I wish I could. I don’t know if that will happen. I think I kind of ruined things by running out of the kitchen this afternoon.
There is a light knock on the door. I sit up quickly, my heart pounding. “Um, it’s me. Sorry to wake you, but I found your snake,” Kyst says through the closed door.
“How is that possible?” I mutter to myself. I get out of bed, turn on the light then I quickly open the door. Kyst is standing there with his arm held outwards. The boa constrictor is wrapped around it.