'I should've used the mint spray Samantha gave me earlier,' I think. I never expected a kiss tonight. Not from me at least. But he sure kissed me back like there's no tomorrow… His silence when I kissed him seriously frightened me. I can still feel his lips on mine—the tingles running all the way down my spine. This man is either lying about me being his first, or he's simply a natural-born good kisser, because that kiss did something to me… something that made my mind wander, wondering what other things he could make me feel.
"I apologize if I crossed the line by being hasty tonight," he says, breaking the chain of my unspoken thoughts.
I turn to him quickly. "I was the one who crossed the line just now. There's no need for you to apologize," I say, fiddling with my fingers nervously.
He gently pats my hands with his and smiles. "There's no crossing the line with me if it's you. Remember that. I'm fine with everything that comes from you," he says softly.
I smile and tuck a strand of hair behind my ear—a small habit of mine whenever I'm embarrassed.
On our way back, I want to ask him what he meant when he said he could be mine, why he continued that kiss so intensely… but I can't bring myself to ask. I'm not a coward, but I'm terrible when feelings become unclear. They feel like a spider web you don't see until you walk right into it. I prefer things that are clear and straightforward, so maybe I'll just move along with his pace for now. Sleep slowly creeps into my clouded mind, and before I realize it, I drift into the quiet pathways of sleep.
I feel a gentle hand stroking my cheek. Slowly, I open my eyes and meet Lukas's sharp green ones.
"We're here," he says softly—and I think I could sleep soundly forever if he ever sang me lullabies with that gentle voice of his.
"I'm sorry for sleeping, you must've been bored the whole way," I apologize. His fingers are still brushing lightly against my cheek, barely touching my skin.
"Don't apologize. You were sleeping peacefully… and besides, you have quite a lot to say when you're asleep," he says with a laugh.
And just like that, I think I've embarrassed myself again tonight.
"W-what did I say? I don't talk in my sleep," I protest, but he only laughs harder. His laugh is contagious. Even though he's teasing me, I can't help but laugh with him.
"Come on, let me walk you inside," he says, offering me his hand.
On the way back to my dorm, he compliments my dress, admitting it caught him so off guard earlier that he struggled to focus. I smile and return the compliment, telling him how handsome he looked tonight. Blushing slightly, he teases me again about my sleep talking, and we both end up laughing like children.
As we get closer to my room, I gather the courage to address what happened earlier.
"I apologize again for the k-kiss… if it made you uncomfortable or if I rushed things," I admit quietly, avoiding his eyes.
He steps in front of me, stopping me in my tracks. Placing his hands gently on my shoulders, he says, "Don't stress about it, Aria. I wouldn't have kissed you back if I felt uncomfortable. We can go at any pace together. We'll slow down if it feels rushed, and dive into the unknown when we're both ready. Don't hold back with me. Let it flow, and I'll follow."
My heartbeat echoes loudly in my head. His words are so reassuring that the mistake I thought I made suddenly feels different.
"Thank you. I think I can finally rest well tonight," I say with a small smile.
"I don't like the words I think. Tell me what's really on your mind, moya dragotsennaya lyubov'," he says.
I blink, completely caught off guard by the unfamiliar language.
"What did that mean?" I ask curiously.
He smiles and brushes my cheek gently with his fingers. "It means… lay out your heart for me."
I smile shyly, debating whether to ask the question that's been circling in my head.
"You said earlier that… y-you could be mine?" I ask quietly, avoiding his gaze again.
He straightens up and covers his mouth with his hand. "Did I rush when I asked you to be mine?"
I freeze, taking in his adorably embarrassed reaction. This is really not good for my heart.
"Sorry… it might have been too rushed," he adds quickly when I stay silent for too long.
"Oh—no, not that," I say, snapping out of my thoughts. "I was just… stunned."
I pause, finally looking up at him.
"I don't think it's rushed. I think we clicked well together."
His eyes light up, glittering slightly as his cheeks turn pink. He gently takes my hand in his.
"Then I'll ask again," he says softly. "Will you be mine, Aria?"
I'm almost certain he can feel my heartbeat racing through my hands. I don't answer with words, afraid my voice will betray me. Instead, I smile shyly and nod.
He cups my face and leans closer. I close my eyes, expecting another kiss.
Instead, he chuckles softly and presses a gentle kiss to my forehead before pulling away with the warmest smile I've ever seen—a smile that somehow washes every worry away.
A new chapter might be starting in my life, alongside the man with the unique, almost angelic voice, and those fierce yet gentle eyes. My heart races with anticipation for everything that might lie ahead.
"Sleep tight tonight. I'll see you tomorrow in class," he says, smiling as he softly caresses my cheek.
"See you tomorrow," I reply, still smiling as I close the door.