Chapter 23 - The Kiss

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It was a simple outfit but it still made me a teensy bit uncomfortable. The things we did for love.

I glanced at the slim watch on my wrist. 2:55 pm. He better be on time.

At 2: 58 my bell rang and my heart leaped with it.

I rushed to open the door and there he was. His hair was messy as if he had run his fingers through it multiple times. He was wearing an open blue plaid shirt with a white undershirt and black jeans.

And he was checking me out just as I was checking him out. His eyes darkened. In response, my heart fluttered like a bird's wings.

"You're beautiful," he muttered, awe in his voice.

"Thanks," I replied, my cheeks heating up. "You look good too."

"Thank you," he grinned sheepishly, rubbing the back of his neck. "You ready?"

"Yeah," I said grabbing my purse and locking up. "Where are we going?"

He didn't reply immediately as we walked towards his house and his truck that was parked out front. "It's a surprise," he answered, winking at me as he opened the car door for me.

My jaw slackened. "Why are you acting like such a gentleman?" I asked. "Where is my best friend and what have you done with him?"

"He's in the basement and if you cooperate, he will live to see another day," he shot back as he climbed in.

I grinned at him. "If you do anything to him, I'll kill you."

He raised an eyebrow playfully. "Then spend the day with me and no one with get hurt."

When had our conversation turned into something that looked so much like flirting? I felt high as I laughed with him.

When had our conversation turned into something that looked so much like flirting? I felt high as I laughed with him

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I squealed as we reached our destination. Luke had driven to the next town about an hour's drive away from home. It was a little after four when I saw the banners.

"A carnival?" I exclaimed in excitement. He knew me so well. Carnivals held special significance since the time my dad had brought me and Venus to one when I was seven years old.

"Yup." He laughed at the youthful joy on my face. "I had been planning to bring you ever since I heard about it."

I could barely contain myself as Luke found a parking space and led me to the counter to buy two tickets.

"You ready?" he asked, his eyes fixed on me.

"Definitely," I said, grinning back at him. This day was epic already.

We spent the evening going on rides, eating cotton candy and playing games. I even won a giant toy sloth by winning at a shooting game.

"Man, your aim is good as ever," praised Luke. "Remind to never get on your bad side."

          

"I'll remind you," I said, laughing.

Just as we turned a corner, a large group of rowdy children crowded us. A kid bumped hard into me and I stumbled. Before my face could be introduced to the ground, Luke grabbed my arm pulling me to himself. His hand was warm around my waist as I slowly looked up at him. My face was only a few inches away from his throat. He didn't pay attention to me at first as he glared at the unsuspecting middle schoolers.

Then he looked down at me, his eyebrows slashed down in concern. "Are you okay?"

I could only nod, my heart thudding loudly. He was so close and warm, I wanted to drown in his heat.

"Hold my hand, please. So I don't lose you in the crush."

I nodded again and his warm hand engulfed mine as he led me to the next ride.

"Whoa! Look at that one," I exclaimed, pointing at the monster rollercoaster that boasted three loops. "Come on! We need to get in line for that."

"Ah, I don't think so."

I turned to him. "What's up? Why not?"

He looked uncharacteristically edgy. "Remember when we saw Final Destination 3? That thing is a death trap. Look over there: It even has a devil at the entrance. Wait, what if this is the same ride that they used the movie?"

I laughed. He was adorable. "I highly doubt it. But then the first movie had death by airplane. By that logic you should never fly again."

"Touché. But seriously, we had corndogs not that long ago. My stomach is not very eager to get on rides that probably lead straight to hell." He rubbed his abdomen, scrunching his face.

I laughed again, patting his chest. "I think your heart is the one that's not very eager. Don't blame your poor stomach."

He looked down at me, watching me with intense eyes with a hint of tenderness. He had been doing that all evening, making electricity break out between us. "You're right. My heart is the one to blame."

"So, you wanna watch a movie or something?" I asked Luke as he parked in the driveway to his house

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"So, you wanna watch a movie or something?" I asked Luke as he parked in the driveway to his house. He didn't answer as he climbed out then ran over to my side to help me out too. My heart pounded loudly again. This could not be good for my cardiovascular health.

The whole date thing was messing with my head and my heart and my soul and everything in between. I needed to get back into familiar territory.

"Nah, I think I'll be going home," Luke replied, as he walked me to my door. "Maybe tomorrow."

"Oh." Why is he being so formal? "Well, thanks for today. I enjoyed it."

Luke smiled, his eyes warm. "I did too."

I gave him a half-hearted smile. "Goodnight, Luke." Don't go.

"Wait." He stopped me before I could turn away. "Aren't you forgetting something?"

I felt my throat dry out and I gulped painfully. "Um. What?"

"I believe you owe me a favor." His eyes were smug as he hid a playful smile. He took a step closer.

I frowned. "What favor?"

"Didn't I win a bet?"

"What—?" I blinked at him, confused. "I just spent the day with you. That was your favor."

"When did I say that spending the day with me was to be the favor?"

"You've got to be kidding me."

His grin widened mischievously. "I never specified what my prize was going to be."

I stared at his satisfied face, racking my brain. Did he really not specify? Had I been so eager to go out with him that I just assumed?

I crossed my arms, glaring at him. "You're not getting any more than you already did."

His grin disappeared as his eyes burned. "What if I want more?"

I gulped, my irritation faltering. This was more than I bargained for. "Okay. Fine. What do you want?"

His gaze heated up and he took another step closer. I forced myself not to step back. "Anything I want, right?"

"Uh. Yeah. Within reason."

"That wasn't the condition. I'm sure you'd have plenty of reasons for refusing me." Was he getting closer still? Why was it getting so hard to breathe?

"Let's hear it then," I murmured.

"How about..." By now he was so near, I could see streaks of gold in his eyes, melding with the emerald. "A kiss?"

"What?" My eyes widened, my ears refusing to believe what they were hearing.

"Can I kiss you, Aria?" I had never seen him so serious as he waited patiently for my answer. But there was still a twinkle in his eye.

I forced myself to breathe normally so I wouldn't start panting like a lunatic. "Um. Okay."

He was coming closer and closer – I scrunched my eyes shut when I felt his nose brush mine. I couldn't believe this was happening. My body heated up several degrees.

But when I felt his lips, they weren't on mine.

They were on my cheek.

My eyes flew open just as he stepped away with a wicked glint in his eye. "Your debt is paid. Goodnight, Doll." With that he walked away with a wide, pleased grin on his idiotic face.

Son of a b-word.

Son of a b-word

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Author's Note:

And Luke has done it again. He really needs a swift kick in the butt, doesn't he?

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Love,

Thunderbird ❤

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