*Caterina*
I hung up the phone, annoyance brimming in every inch of my body. I hated the way Elio treated like a child—not telling where he wanted to take , playing gas with , and dodging my questions, acting like I’d do anything he asked with no regard for my own choices.
And I hated how I fell for it every ti.
Even the dad-like comnts he threw in would set off. Wear a jacket... really? Like I wasn’t an adult who couldn’t be told what to wear? Like I didn’t know how to wear a jacket in the cold November air, even in California?
I huffed, setting my phone down as I glanced in the mirror. I had planned on staying in, so my hair was a bit of a ss, and I wasn’t dressed to go anywhere at the mont.
I didn’t know where he wanted to take or why right then, but I had a sneaking suspicion and dread that he wanted to discuss the kiss. I knew I couldn’t avoid him forever, but I still didn’t want to talk about it.
I rubbed the skin around my elbows, feeling a bit of a chill all of a sudden. But despite my hesitations about where Elio wanted to take , or why, I still headed to my closet, choosing a relatively nice but casual outfit.
I picked a gray sweater dress with leggings underneath and a warm scarf that hung around my neck. I glanced in the mirror, pursing my lips as I pondered over my appearance.
I pulled the ponytail out of my long hair, letting it cascade around and I brushed it away from my shoulders and scarf, finally satisfied with my appearance.
I pulled on my boots and turned my phone on silent. Anna was eting with her boyfriend Daniel tonight, so she wouldn’t need , and I knew for a fact that Mom had gone to bed early. She had to work tomorrow morning.
I glanced at the jacket I’d left sprawled out on my bed and just out of spite, I turned away with a huff, heading to the door as I tucked my phone into my pocket.
But before I could leave, my hand paused on the door handle, that annoying little stubborn voice in the back of my mind peeked up, the one that sounded a lot like Elio as I could almost hear him in my head.
“Make sure to wear a jacket,” his smug voice taunted , circling my head like a vulture in the desert.
“Fucking bastard,” I grumbled, hating myself a bit as I descended the stairs, feeling a little too warm with the jacket I’d stuffed on top of my outfit. It wasn’t even cold enough to need it, but my stupid brain wouldn’t let leave it, not when Elio had specifically asked to wear it.
I bounded down the stairs two at a ti, the pit of my stomach fluttering with butterflies despite my sense of stubborn denial that pulsed through my veins. I ignored the feeling, pushing it away as I landed on the bottom step with a thump.
As I did, I heard the jingling of the lock and the door opened, and in walked Elio, dressed simply in black but still looking just as good. Our eyes t as he walked in like he used to do all the ti—like he owned the place.
He tilted his head, shoving his hands in his jeans pockets as he slowly gazed at up and down. My cheeks heated, feeling a bit self-conscious as I shifted on my feet. I suddenly felt like zipping up the jacket and pretending I couldn’t see him, though I knew how ridiculous I would look.
Finally, he caught my eye, giving a little sly grin. “You wore the jacket.”
“Let’s just go!” I interrupted loudly, my cheeks burning red as I pushed past him and out the door.
As soon as I stepped outside, the chill of the nightti hit and I shivered, glad I wore the jacket now, despite how annoying Elio was being about it.
I heard him chuckle behind , locking the front door behind us and he stepped ahead, spinning on his heel to face . Elio had always been the honest type, and I couldn’t stand the soft look in his eyes as he gazed at .
I looked away, biting my bottom lip and refusing to analyze the emotions beaming toward . I had my father’s stubbornness, after all.
Elio held out a hand, bowing his head as he sent a mischievous smile, his eyes twinkling under the porch lights. “Ready for our date, m’lady?”
“It’s not a date,” I huffed, glaring at him, but I couldn’t help taking his hand anyway. His large hand was warm, and I swallowed at how easily our hands fit together, like pieces from two different puzzles that you would never expect to go together.
We walked over to his driveway, and he held the door to his car open for .
“So where are we going?” I asked, ignoring the silly grin he sent as he let go of my hand.
I instantly missed the warmth of his touch and tried not to show it.
“Well, it might be out of the blue, but a date—”
“Not a date,” I said firmly.
He just smirked. “A date doesn’t need a destination, does it? Can’t I just want to take you out?”
“No,” I rolled my eyes, giving him a serious look. “You always have so kind of ulterior motive, so don’t play with . You’re not that charming, Elio.”
“Ouch.” He laughed. “I happen to think I’m rather charming myself, but I guess I’ll have to step up my ga.”
I gave him a narrow-eyed stare before I got in the car.
We drove up the hill to a small, quiet neighborhood park that overlooked the city.
“I thought a nice walk would make a good date,” he said softly.
“Not a date,” I said again, but it was little more than a whisper.
We walked quietly for a while, admiring the view of all the twinkling lights below, then he paused in the middle of the sidewalk, tugging to a halt as well.
I flinched out of instinct when I saw sothing moving from the corner of my eye. He stepped closer, a smile on his lips as he brushed my hair from my face, leaning over as we stood underneath the streetlight.
My heart leaped to my throat as my eyes flicked to his lips, rembering the heat and passion of our tongues intertwined, the taste of him echoing in my mind. For a mont, I thought he was going to kiss as he leaned closer, my eyes fluttering closed until I heard a soft flick of his finger.
“Were you expecting sothing?” he whispered, the heat of his breath brushing over the top of my ears and sending a chill down my spine. “Hm, Cat?”
My eyes flew open, and I swallowed uncomfortably as he sent a wicked smirk, pulling back and showing the dead leaf in his fingers. Realization poured over like hot water and I blushed, pulling my hand from his as I instinctively checked my hair.
He smirked again, smug and confident just like always and I fud to myself, cursing in my mind for having gotten lost in the mont. His eyes had drawn in and with a pang of misery, I realized he was teasing again.
And I had fallen for it, just like always.
I stord ahead but Elio caught up quickly with his long legs, strolling casually beside .
“So, UCLA.”
I stared straight ahead at the sidewalk, ignoring his heated gaze on .
I inhaled sharply, hyper-aware of him walking right beside , our shoulders brushing with every movent. I had a sudden urge to run, to pull the ripcord out of this conversion.
“What about it?” I asked, making my voice sound neutral despite the anxiety buzzing in my chest.
“You were pretty adamant about going to the university you picked out, yet you co back and transfer to UCLA out of the blue.”
I fell silent, clenching my hands tightly, enough that I could feel my nails digging into my palms.
“So what?” I tried to shrug it off.
“So why aren’t you going back to your school, Cat?”
“I wanted a change,” I said vaguely, not lying one bit. “They have a new business program here that I want to join.”
“Hm,” was all he said.
I had no idea whether he believed or not but luckily, he dropped the subject. Unfortunately for , he dropped it for an even more awkward question.
“So, are we going to talk about that kiss?”
I tripped over myself, nearly kissing the pavent had it not been for Elio’s arms wrapping around my waist and holding in place. I could feel his strong body against my back even through the thick layers of my jacket and sweater.
In the ss, my scarf fell off my neck, hitting the pavent in my stead, and I stared at it for a mont, unwilling to push him away to grab it.
“I’m fine,” I said sharply, pulling out of his grasp.
He let go easily, giving a soft look. We had stopped in the middle of the sidewalk, inches away from one another and to anyone else, the scene would have been easy to misunderstand.
I swallowed, gazing into his eyes, and bit my bottom lip out of habit. I could see his eyes follow my movents, darkening.
I turned away in a hurry.
“I don’t think we should,” I said coldly, regaining my composure as I completely turned my back on him. “It happened and it’s done. We can’t take it back, but it’s not going to happen again.”
I saw him bending down from the corner of my eye, my bright red scarf held in his hands as he brushed it off with his large hand. He gave an unreadable smile, stepping forward, and I nearly took a step back before I rembered myself.
I held my ground, staring at him firmly to make my stance on this clear. He took a step forward, leaning down. He was so close I could feel his hot breath brush against my cheeks as he gently wrapped my scarf around my neck once more.
He leaned back, shoving his hands into his pockets as he gave a smoldering look.
“If that’s what you want.”
Despite how red my cheeks were, Elio didn’t call out on it.
We returned to the parking lot, and he held the car door open for again, and we drove back quietly while I tried to force the blush off my face.
When we got back to my house, Elio walked up to the porch. It was a bit nostalgic, with how many tis he’d walked ho when I was in high school.
I paused at the front door, unsure of what to do from there.
“Uh, goodnight,” I said awkwardly.
“Thanks for accompanying on our date,” he said with a grin.
“Not a date!” I protested imdiately, crossing my arms over my chest.
He just chuckled, and there was a mont of sothing that flashed in his eyes.
I sobered quickly, my breath catching in my throat as he took a step forward and gently brushed his hand over my cheek.
My heart pounded in my chest, my whole body heating up. There was a flash of thought in my head. Stop him. Turn away. The warning signs flashed, but his eyes smoldering with heat overpowered my senses.
His hot lips landed on my cheek, and I felt his breath against my skin as he lingered there for half a mont.
My eyes glazed over, and my hand gripped onto his shirt without realizing it and everything was a blur.
The next thing I knew, our lips were connected in a fiery passion as he pulled away from the door and back toward his car. His strong body and passionate lips enticed to follow, my common sense flying out the window and before I knew it, I was sitting in his lap in the driver’s seat, his arms around my waist and the back of my head as his tongue devoured every inch of .
Dammit.
I’d fallen for it again.
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