Our Way

“I love you,” I whisper.

“Do you?”

“I do.”

He inhales deeply. “I’ll call you tomorrow, babe.”

“Okay, night.”

“Night.”

* * *

It’s just gone 6:00 p.m. when I get off the bus on the corner of my block. It’s raining, and I have no idea what I’m having for dinner. I didn’t get any meat out of the freezer this morning. My routine is well and truly fucked up. I can’t be bothered to stop and get takeout. I guess I’ll have toast or something. I make my way to my building and notice someone standing to the side in the shadows, under the awning, out of the rain.

It’s Nathan.

“Hi.” I stop. “What are you doing? Why didn’t you go inside?”

His hands are in his pockets as he stares at me.

“What’s wrong?” I step toward him.

He stares at me for a long time. “Do you feel it?”

/> “Feel what?”

He gestures to the air between us. “This.”

I frown up at him.

“I can’t fight it any longer. I tried, Eliza, but I just can’t.”

Ever so slowly, he takes my face in his hand, and he bends to slowly kiss me. His tongue gently sweeps through my open lips, and I feel it to my toes.

“Nathan,” I breathe.

He cuts me off with another open-mouthed kiss, and my eyes close instinctively.

What am I doing? I pull out of his kiss. “N-nathan.” I splutter.

His face falls.

“Let’s go upstairs,” I suggest softly. I take his hand and we walk into my building, and into the elevator. My heart is racing. What the hell just happened?

He watches me intently, as if he’s scared I’m about to run. We make it to my floor and head down the corridor to my apartment.

I open the door, and he takes me in his arms again. His lips softly take mine, and oh…

“I’m sorry. I’m so sorry,” he whispers. “I fucked up,” he murmurs against my lips.

Wait…. I’m kissing Nathan…. what the hell? I pull out of his grip. “What are you doing?”

“Kissing you.”

“Why?”

“Because I want you.” He presses his lips together and takes my hands in his.