Chapter 3

I checked my reflection again, hoping I wasn't overdressed for the movies. I had told the boys I was calling it an early night, since we'd be up at the crack of dawn for another day of endless driving. I glanced at my phone, another few minutes and Balthazar would be showing up! I took a few deep breathes, mentally preparing myself for him to appear. I still jumped a bit, and giggled as he gave a low bow then caught my hand and kissed it.

"You look beautiful as usual, are you ready love?"

"I am more than ready!"

"Shall we be off then?" I nodded and gasped as he pulled me close. "I'd close your eyes." I squeezed my eyes shut and felt a dizzying feeling for a moment. When the world stopped spinning, I gingerly reopened them and saw we were standing across the street from the theatre. We linked arms and headed over.

The movie was amazing, and not just because his arm was around me, or because our hands kept brushing together while we ate the popcorn. I am a pretty big Star Wars fan, ok, I am a closet nerd, and it seemed so was he. I listened to him talking about the movie as we walked down the sidewalk, and I am sure I could never get tired of the sound of voice. It was almost fairy tale perfect in that moment, his hand holding mine, just enjoying a nice walk and each other's company.

"Penny for your thoughts?" He smiled and nudged his shoulder into mine. "I feel as if I've been doing all the talking."

I stopped walking and he turned to face me, looking slightly puzzled. "It's just… I don't know, everything when I am with you seems perfect. Does it seem silly of me to be worried that things are going so well between us?" I chewed my lip and watched the emotions play over his face.

He reached over and gently touched my face. "It isn't silly at all, it's how every relationship is at first." He winked. "We just haven't been dating long enough to piss each other off yet." he chuckled and squeezed my shoulder. "Sometimes I find it is just best to enjoy the moments you have with someone, considering the world we live in, why waste time worrying about how it might go wrong?"

"So you're saying I should live in the moment, carefree and all that?" I batted my eyes at him.

He slid his hand onto my hip. "Most definitely."

I am not sure which of us I surprised more when I grabbed the front of his jacket and crashed out lips together. We kissed, hot and breathless, arms tightening around each other. We pulled apart slowly, my heart racing and breathing labored. Our faces were still only inches apart, and his eyes seemed to almost be glowing blue.

"I should really get you back to your room sweetheart. If we stand here like this much longer I won't be able control myself." He took a step back and caught my hand. Part of my wanted to tell him I didn't want him to control himself. But I also thought it was really sweet that he cared enough to want to control himself around me. I was internally torn, so I just nodded and smiled.

We were back into the room all too soon, still holding hands. I suddenly didn't want him to let go, and leaned in and slid my arms around his waist, pressing my face into his chest. "Do you really have to go?" I looked up at him, eyes pleading. His fingers traced the line of my jaw, and I leaned up, as his lips grazed mine. My hands curled up and into his hair, our kiss deepening. I moaned as his lips brushed my neck, pressing myself into fully.

He pulled away too soon, his hands on my shoulders. "I'm sorry love, but I can't."

"Why? Balthazar, you just told me to live in the moment!" I felt confused and maybe just a little bit of rejection.

He took a deep breath. "Because as much as I want to stay, and as much as I care about you, I don't like being your secret boyfriend. There isn't anyone I know that I wouldn't love to show you off to. When you and I can be together in daylight, and don't have to hide from your friends, then we'll talk."

Of course I didn't just stand there feeling like a complete ass after he disappeared, nope, that did not happen. I also did not spend the next few hours staring at my phone hoping he'd call, and when he didn't, I most certainly did NOT cry myself to sleep.