Chapter 7

• Nero leaned his forehead on mine. He’s breathing heavily and his eyes are closed. It’s as if kissing me drained and sucked all of the oxygen in him.
• “You can’t avoid me now, Miss Sloane.” He repeated as he caressed my cheek.
• I bit my lip and looked away. Now, I won’t be able to stop anything that’s starting to grow inside me. He’s made me crazy for him.
• But above all, that was my first kiss. I haven’t kissed anyone in my whole life. Not the way Nero kissed me. How will I be able to kiss someone else again when he’s already set that damn standard high up in the pedestal?
• “Hey,” he called me and lifted my chin to face him. “I’m sorry. Did I freak you out?” he asked.
• Did he freak me out? Yes. But did he make me feel good? Yes.
• “Fuck.” He cursed as his eyes bore into mine. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have acted like that. I acted on my instincts and—”
• “I’m just…it’s my first kiss.”
• He stared at me for a moment and then blinked. Few seconds later, his face looked so frustrated. What? Is it wrong to tell a man that he’s my first kiss?
• “Holy shit!” His curse echoed throughout the whole elevator. He stepped back from me and messed his hair. He then looked at me again before shutting his eyes.
• My heart ached. Maybe I should have just kept quiet and stopped blurting out what random thing pops out of my mind. Maybe that way, everything would have been under control.
• “I…I’m sorry. I should have told you—”
• He shook his head and stepped towards me. “No, no, Kinsella. I’m sorry. I didn’t think about your first kiss. If I had known, I would have made it more special.”
• Wait. What?
• I looked at him and saw how pained and apologetic he is to me. His gaze softened and still is softening every second that passed.
• He held my hand and threaded his fingers with mine. “I’m sorry. That shouldn’t have been your first kiss.” He lifted my hand up and kissed my knuckles.
• I can feel something heating up near my chest. The way he kissed my knuckles delicately made me melt inside. And if he continues to do this, how would I be able to leave this place? How would I be able to travel when all I can think about is this man, this elevator and his kisses?
• “You’re not mad at me?” I asked him carefully.
• His brows creased. “Why would I be mad at you?”
• “Because I haven’t told you that it’s my first kiss.” I said shyly.
• I heard him take a deep breath. “Baby, I’m so damn happy that I’m your first kiss. It just makes me mad that I did it in this stupid elevator instead of somewhere special.”
• I looked at him and saw him looking down at me with sparks in his eyes. I bit my lip. He called me baby. Is that a code or something?
• “Do…do you like me?”
• His eyes relaxed when I asked that question. I don’t know why it soothed me. His blue eyes soothed me like the smell of the ocean breeze.
• “I thought I’d already told you that a few kisses ago?” He looked at me in amusement. “Miss Kinsella Sloane,” he paused and held both of my cheeks. “I like you. More than I can handle.”
• I bit my lip to stop the smile that’s about to break out. Hearing him say it makes me feel like so good about myself. He likes me and it’s more than he can handle.
• I calmed down for a few minutes before Nero pressed the elevator button making it move again.
• “What are you doing tomorrow?” he asked as we walked to my room hand in hand.
• “Jet ski.” I replied. When I realized that I’m going with Stan, I felt guilty.
• Nero held up my cheek and made me look at him. “What’s wrong?” He asked me.
• I shook my head. “It’s just that…I’m going to go jet skiing with Stan.” I looked away immediately because I was scared of how he will react. He just told me he liked me and now, I’m telling him I’m going out with another man.
• It just doesn’t seem right.
• I heard him let out a deep breath. “It’s okay.”
• I looked at him in shock. He’s okay with it? Does that mean he allows me to see someone else? And will that mean I should allow him to see someone else too?
• “Really?” I asked cautiously.
• He smiled and nodded. “It’s okay. I’ll see you tomorrow, alright?” he told me as he planted a kiss on my forehead.
• I nodded and took my keys out to open my door. I almost jumped when I felt his arms wrapped around me. He leaned his chin on my shoulder.
• “Don’t get too close with other men, alright?” he asked.
• I tried to look at him but I was only welcomed by his lips. He granted me a chaste kiss. “Good night, Kinsella.” He whispered.
• I nodded as I turned the door knob. “Good night, Nero.” I said in a sweet voice, one I couldn’t ever think I own.
• He let go of me and I faced him as I opened the door. “I’ll see you tomorrow.” He told me.
• I smiled. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
• I didn’t know how late I slept that night. I even forgot that I didn’t eat dinner and I was planning on calling for delivery. I couldn’t stop thinking about the way his lips moved against mine. I would touch my lips from time to time to even test if I’m dreaming or not. The softness of his lips lingers in my memory. Every time I move my lips, I can’t help but feel his on mine.
• I must be going crazy.
• I woke up with a message on my phone. It was from an unknown number.
• I can’t come today. My cousin asked me to help his sister with something in UCLA. Hang out with you soon. –Stan
• I bit my lip as I read the message. Somehow, I felt relieved that I can’t go with Stan. Thinking about how Nero would feel when he sees me with someone kills me.
• To: Stan
• It’s okay. Take care.
• I threw my phone back on my bed and walked towards the balcony. I opened the blinds and was greeted by the loud music from the outside. There are people dancing in the volleyball courts and a lot of people are watching.
• Buntings in the form of triangular flags are getting set up above the walkway. They are arranged in a zigzag way. I couldn’t help but smile at how happy these people are. Is there a festival?
• I almost jumped when I heard knocks on my door. I immediately ran and opened it.
• My eyes widened when I saw Nero dressed in flowery shirt and a pair of khaki shorts. This outfit must have been so awkward with someone else but Nero pulls it off.
• On his hands is a tray of pancakes and two milkshakes. He grinned at me. “Good morning.” He smiled widely.
• I smiled back and opened the door wider. “Good morning.” I beamed and asked him to get inside.
• I was slightly ashamed when I realized that my bed is still undone and I was so caught up with the music that I forgot to fix it after getting up.
• “Sorry, I just woke up.” I told him as I fixed the bed before he puts the tray down.
• “It’s okay. You still look stunning even with your morning face.” He beamed and my eyes widened.
• Oh, I forgot to even wash my face!
• I ran to the bathroom and washed myself as I heard his loud laughs from the outside. This is such an embarrassment. How did I even look as I opened the door for him? Damn!
• It took me about ten minutes before I gathered my courage and walked back inside the room. Nero was watching the people outside from the balcony as I got out. He’s back is turned to me and I think he’s talking to someone down there.
• “It looks better now.” He uttered and I heard indistinct voices from the outside.
• “Nero?” I called him and he looked at me. He’s smiling and nodded at me before facing the person he’s talking to again.
• “I’ll check on you later.” He said before coming inside the room and walking towards me.
• He’s smiling from ear to ear as he looked at me. He wrapped his arm around my waist and pulled me closer to him. “You’re too far. I don’t want you far from me.” He told me.
• I bit my lip and prayed I didn’t blush. It would add up to my most embarrassing moments in front of Nero Bennett list.
• He chuckled and kissed my cheek before feeding me with pancake. “You like the pancakes in the café, right?” He asked.
• I nodded. “Do you eat pancakes from there too?” I asked.
• He grinned. “From time to time. I don’t always have the time.”
• I nodded. “You should make it a habit. The pancakes are really good.”
• He smiled at me. I can’t help but think about how he’s been living single all his life when I bet all the girls would have swooned towards him all the time.
• “If you eat there with me all the time, maybe I would.” He told me.
• I took one cut of the pancakes and fed him. He chuckled before taking it from my fork. “Good, right?” I beamed.
• He chuckled. “It’s good because you’re feeding me.” He said before drinking the milkshake. We ate happily, unlike the last time we ate together. This feels better. And what’s better than his arm around my waist the whole time. I wonder if he ever gets tired or if his arm gets numb or what.
• “I won’t be able to jet ski today. Stan bailed on me.” I told him.
• A bright smile crept out of his lips. “Baby, all you need to do is ask. I can be with you.” He said before kissing me again on the lips.