Breathe For Love

Final part.
Damn, I’m out of things to post again. :/ I need to learn self-control when it comes to posting, lol. I always get too excited and end up posting everything all at once…

This maaaaaaaaay turn in to a full on story at some point. We’ll see.

When You Live (Part Three)

“Josh, I – I love you.” She said quietly. So quietly I almost didn’t catch it. I cocked my head to the side and stared at her, brows furrowed, frowning. I was confused. How could that be? And why did hearing those simple words send an electric shock of excitement through me?

My eyes moved over the features of her face slowly. The smooth curve of her jaw line, her moist lips, the adorable peak of her nose, her high cheekbones and finally, my eyes locked with hers.

Her eyes were mesmerizing, enough to stop anyone in their tracks. They held so much emotion. They even changed color, ever so slightly, depending on her mood. 

I had always prided myself on knowing what she was thinking simply by looking her in the eyes. But now, I couldn’t be sure. Her eyes were saying more than I could understand, more than she would ever tell.

Suddenly the look in her eyes changed. I could read her clearly now. The pain of rejection flared up abruptly and she closed her eyes tight, shaking her head. I saw crystal-clear tears begin to form and it was only then that I realized I had yet to respond to her declaration.

I opened my mouth, but my throat was choked with words I could not speak. There was more in my heart than I could say to her. I didn’t know where to begin. I didn’t even know how I felt about her until just now. How could I be expected to say anything at all?

As she turned to leave I stepped forward, shakily I might add, and gently grabbed hold of her shoulder. She turned to face me, tears flowing steady now, and slapped me across the face.

I didn’t recoil. I deserved it, the thought of rejection can do funny things to a person.

I should say something… I couldn’t just let her leave like this.

But I couldn’t seem to find my voice.

Instead, I pulled her close and buried my face in her neck. I felt her body go rigid as confusion washed over her, but she soon snaked her arms around my waist and returned the hug uncertainly. 

I pulled back and wiped away her tears. She looked at everything except me. I ducked down a bit to get into her line of sight and pulled her chin up with my finger.

As her eyes finally met with mine, I leaned in and kissed her on each cheek, just under her eyes where hot tears were still falling.

“Don’t cry.” I said simply. She scowled and turned away, wiping her face with the back of her hand.

“Hayley.” I whispered as she walked to the door. “Please don’t go.”

“Josh, I can’t… I can’t be here right now.” She replied, defeated.

“Don’t go.” I repeated when she turned her back once more. It was now or never.

“Hayley, I love you…” I said breathlessly. She stopped in her tracks but didn’t face me. “I think I love you too, but I’m scared of what it means.” admitted shamefully. She turned around, face void of emotion, and walked back over.

“I’m sorry I slapped you.” She said plainly. I felt a laugh threaten to spew from my mouth and I quickly bit my lip. Is that all she could come up with? The line of her mouth turned upward as a slow smile made an appearance on her pretty face.

“I’m scared of what it will mean too.” She confessed. “But… I’m willing to find out.”

I smiled and bit my lower lip gently, trying to work up the nerve to kiss her. It just felt like the right thing to do in this particular moment.

Her lips parted as she took a step closer to me and I felt a ball of excitement build up in my chest. Her eyes fluttered shut as I cautiously placed my hands on her hips and I smiled as her long eyelashes rested on her cheeks in a completely adorable way.

Everything moved in slow motion as our lips inched closer and closer together. Finally, our lips met in a soft, awkward kiss that was beyond hesitant.

Well that was anti-climactic…

I pulled back and looked her in the eyes. They were brilliantly green, which meant she was either happy or excited, and there was an invigorating spark in them that filled me with confidence.

I raised my hand to her cheek, still looking her square in the eyes, and brushed a stray piece of hair out of her face. I then wrapped my arms around her waist and rested my hands on her back. She placed her hands on my chest and I saw her eyes dart down to my lips. Her own lips parted as she raised one hand and touched my lip ring. I smiled and leaned in slowly, nudging her head up gently so I could get at her lips.

I pulled her toward me as our lips met in a light kiss that became more urgent and needy as her hands tangled themselves in my hair. Her nails dug at my back, leaving me no choice but to press myself against her. Her body was so tiny and thin compared to my own toned body. I loved it. She fit.

Now the fireworks were going off. Now we both smiled into the kiss. Now that ball of excitement that had built up, exploded in my chest with such force I’m surprised I didn’t fall to the ground.

She backed away slightly and my heart skipped a beat as I felt her warm breath on my lips. I darted forward, capturing her lips once more with my own and let my tongue trace along her lip gently. My hands explored her sides and back as our lips moved together and I groaned loudly as her hands caressed my upper arms. She moaned quietly as I slipped my tongue into her mouth and I felt her nails dig in to my arms.

As things became more intense, we broke apart. The whole “needing to breathe” thing was such a hassle…

My eyes stayed shut as I became overwhelmed by everything. My chest rose and fell quickly as my breathing picked up and my heart beat erratically as if I had just run a marathon.

I opened my eyes to find Hayley’s eyes shut and her head tilted back, against the wall behind her. She must be experiencing sensory overload as well.

“Wow.” She said breathlessly.

“Wow.” I repeated with a smile.

“Now what?” She asked.

“We kiss some more. Make up for lost time.” I suggested with my best devilish grin. She shook her head and laughed.

“I mean what to we do about… everything?” She clarified.

“I know what you meant.” I said. “I just don’t care right now. Everything will work itself out one way or another. I don’t want to deal with it right now. Now is not the time to think, now is the time to just… live in the moment. Be happy.”

“Live in the moment?” Hayley raised an eyebrow. “Hippie.” She teased, repeating what I’d said to her earlier that day. A smile crept across her face and she laughed. “But I guess I can do that.”

She stood on her toes and planted a slow, lingering kiss on my lips. I smiled as she pulled away and I kissed her forehead gently. She wrapped her arms around me and I pulled her close in a hug.

She pressed her head against my chest and sighed happily. I hugged her tighter and smiled. She would never leave my arms again if I had any say in the matter. This is where she belonged.