Illicit Canvas: political romance and stand alone romance by Joanna Mazurkiewicz

us says any more until we are standing by the car. He is smiling again when he starts the engine. He drives and only after some time do I realise that he remembers where I live. My palms are sweaty when he pulls up outside my block of flats. Maja is still up; there is a light in her bedroom. Ethan kills the engine and the burning inside my stomach intensifies. I want to feel his lips on mine over and over.
    He looks at me then and his eyes flicker with heat.
    "I never thought this would be possible again," he says after some time.
    "What? What do you mean?"
    "To feel that there is someone out there who could make me happy."
    I feel the raw heat escalating on my face. The intensity of his stare is boiling my insides slowly and steadily with fire. I swallow hard and decide to get out of the car now. I want to kiss him again, but I have to restrain myself. It’s just a first date; there will be many more to come. I’m ready to break up with Colin now. I’ll do that first, before I see Ethan again.
    I walk around the car, feeling his eyes on me. He rolls down the window.
    I look at him. "I had a lovely time."
    "Me too, Arwen. The company of an elf princess has been very enjoyable," he says with that deep husky voice.
    "Will you call me?" I ask, not even knowing why. I just don't want to be disappointed if he doesn't think this could go anywhere.
    "I will. There is no doubt about that, Arwen."
    I smile and then stroll back to the house thinking about that kiss in the park. I don’t believe that it was just a one off. Ethan is driving away when I look back. I climb the steps and burst back into the apartment.
    Maja peers out from her bedroom staring straight at me. "Judging from the wide grin on your face I assume the date went well?"
    I walk in and drop my bag down and flop on the sofa, stretching my arms.
    "Oh my God, it was amazing. We talked like we knew each other for years."
    "Hold on a minute. I thought that you went there to find that stolen paining?" she asks, frowning.
    "Oh yeah, the guy wants to see the copy. He didn't believe anything I said. He wants proof."
    I can't even think straight. I feel like I’ve been sleeping most of my life and all my previous relationships didn't make much sense. Then Ethan came in and woke me up from my deepest dream.
    "So what, did you make out in his car? I was trying to see from the window, but I didn't get much luck." Maja chuckles.
    "Not in the car but during a romantic walk in the park," I sigh, remembering the way his lips felt against mine. I really need to stop this. I haven't spoken to Colin yet. He’s a good friend and I don’t want to lose him.
    Maja widens hers eyes, squeezing her biology book closer to her chest.
    "Come on, spill it; this sounds exciting."
    "It was the best first kiss of my life; epic isn't the word. We kissed for ages and ages. After that I never wanted it to end," I say giddily, closing my eyes and imaging that I’m with him now.
    "What about Colin?"
    I open my eyes and look at her. My brain automatically switches itself into a more serious mode. I have to make a decision and stop messing around with him.
    "I will talk to him."
    "Talk to him sooner rather than later," she reminds me with a wink. "I will see you later, girl. I want to have an early night, so I can dream about my own Prince Charming."
    I wink back at her and then head to my bedroom. After I change into my pyjamas, I get to bed and check my phone. There is a text message from Colin.

    Hey, beautiful
      There has been a change of plans. My mother had some crisis in the States. It turns out that she won’t be able to come, so we had to cancel the dinner.
    I didn’t want to disappoint you, so I organised something else. It’s a surprise. I’ll pick you up as we planned originally.
    I can’t wait to see you, sugar.
    Colin

    I stare at the text with a growing apprehension about his new plans and the surprise. I’m really worried now, but in some ways relieved that I don’t have to