Auction: First kiss
Character Appreciation: Oliver Wood
Book Club, Laura Moon: cold, gold, nighttime
Word Count: 470
Katie knows she shouldn't be terribly upset. This is hardly the first time practice has gone longer than expected. Still, she can't help but feel a bit annoyed by the night sky when the team finally gets dismissed. The cold breeze that caresses her skin and chills her to the bone doesn't make things much better.
"Cold?" Oliver asks, offering her a bright grin.
Katie wants to say something rude, but her words fail. There's something about him that seems to melt away her annoyance. Maybe it's the dimples or the cute, puppy dog eyes. In the back of her mind, she wonders how anyone can stay mad at him for long. It seems impossible.
"A bit, yeah," she admits.
His grin softens to an apologetic smile. He slides his jacket off and drapes it around her shoulders. "There. That should keep you warm."
"You didn't have to…"
It's a nice gesture, but it makes her cheeks flush with heated color. Katie takes a deep breath. The jacket smells like him. Warm cedar, hints of lavender and sweat. It shouldn't be such a hypnotic combination, but it is. Her mind begins to wander and drift, and she doesn't even realize that Oliver has come to a sudden stop until she collides with him. "Sorry."
He doesn't respond. His eyes are fixed upon hers, and Katie wants to melt. No one has ever looked at her like this before. A thousand butterflies seem to flutter around in her stomach, tickling her insides. Why does he make her so nervous.
Oliver reaches out. His thumb brushes over one of his jacket's gold buttons. "It looks really good on you," he tells her, and her blush deepens until her face feels like it's on fire.
Before she can respond, Oliver leans in. His lips press against hers, and she feels like she might melt into a puddle. She's never been kissed before, and she curses herself for being so inexperienced. If Oliver has a problem with it, though, he doesn't say anything.
When he pulls away, a small smile plays at his lips. "Sorry," he murmurs. "I've wanted to do that for a while."
For several moments, Katie can't speak. She touches the tips of her fingers to her lips, trying to comprehend what's just happened. Finally, she manages to smile. "I don't mind," she says, amazed that her voice still works. "I'm glad you did."
His smile broadens, forming a grin. "Yeah?"
"Yeah."
And that's all he seems to need. Oliver leans in again. This time, Katie is ready. It isn't a perfect kiss, and she feels like she has a long way to go before she can be considered a good kisser. Still, she doesn't mind. Practice makes perfect, and she is lucky enough to get to practice with Oliver Wood.