"So much for our night of quality time..."
Not much conversation takes place as the night draws on, our lips put to better use pressed fervently against each other, parting only to refill our lungs with oxygen before locking together once more. It is as though we are making up for lost time.
My hands are tentatively placed on her hips, pulling her further into me, the overwhelming sensations of this closeness making me dizzy with anticipation. My fingertips slip underneath the hem of her t-shirt and she gasps as I begin drawing feather light circles against her skin. I smile into our kiss as her own hands grip my shoulders, allowing her to pull me closer to her until not even air can force its way through our bodies.
But then suddenly she is squirming against me, her lips tearing away from mine and her warmth vanishing from atop of my skin. I open my eyes warily, stunned at the abrupt loss of contact but simultaneously terrified that I'd pushed her too far too soon. But I am relieved to see she is smiling widely, a small giggle escaping from her throat as she watches my worried expression transform into a confused one. It doesn't take me long to realise what has happened though.
"Ticklish?" I ask with a grin, hypnotised by the darkness of her eyes as they sparkle playfully, her hands coming to rest on my own where they still lie on her hips. It seems that her neck is not her only sensitive spot.
"Maybe a little," she replies, oblivious to the mischievous tone of voice I had used.
"You shouldn't have told me that."
"And why's th – EDDIE! EDDIE, NO!" A high pitched, girly scream fills the room as my fingers begin to attack the vulnerable flesh just above her hipbone. She wriggles and writhes as she desperately tries to get me to let go, her shouts punctuated by giggles and deep breaths as I continue my torture. She throws her head back, her body following and she ends up lying on the settee as I hover above her.
Neither of us is quite sure as to when the atmosphere changes, laughter evaporating and replaced almost instantly by a tension that could only be relieved one way. She stares at me, her chest heaving; her auburn hair splayed halo-like around her beautiful face, wordlessly telling me that this is what she wants; confirming it as one of her hands reach up to cup my cheek.
I lean down and capture her lips in mine softly, gently and it's a kiss that speaks a thousand words. It tells her that I'm never going to leave her, it tells her that I'm sorry for all the hurt I've caused her, it tells her that I love her and that I always have.
As I pull away, she inhales deeply and I know something is wrong.
"Is this right?" She wonders aloud before I have opportunity to ask her myself.
"What do you mean?" I ask the question curiously, but deep down I know what she is about to say. I knew the conversation was going to happen at some point, I just never thought it would be this soon.
"Us, Eddie. It's like we're just forgetting you were engaged to my sister." She sits up, her eyes looking at everything but me and I'm reminded of the evening in the pub after the first day back at school. But this time I intend for it to end differently; I won't let her walk away.