The Vine by C.A Ellis

shoulder. I felt his body tense briefly at first, but then I felt it relax. I was really quite sleepy by that point; it had been a long, exciting day leading up to this evening, and it had been just magical. I closed my eyes to rest them, all the thoughts of this evening playing slowly through my mind. His intoxicating presence was like a sleeping potion to me, and without realising; I slipped into a light slumber.
    I felt the car pull up and heard a door open, so I opened my eyes, realising I was indeed home. Lucas stepped out of the car with me and walked me to my door. As we arrived at my door, we stood there looking at each other, and I shivered slightly. I wasn’t sure if I was cold or if it was a shiver of anticipation in case he wanted a goodnight kiss—which I most definitely did.
    “You had better go in if you are cold; I wouldn’t want you catching pneumonia on our first date,” he said smiling.
    “Would you like to come in for some coffee?” I offered, really not wanting this evening to end.
    “I had better not, especially if I want to survive the rest of the night with your scary, threatening bodyguard loitering about,” Lucas joked about Katy. I giggled as I subconsciously leaned into him.
    “I love it when you do that,” he said.
    “Do what?” I asked innocently.
    “When you giggle, it’s such an adorable sound. I love it when you lean into me like that too; it’s such a small thing, but it just seems so intimate. It makes me feel trusted by you, which going on what you have revealed to me tonight, makes me feel special and privileged.” He was serious now, and looking straight into my eyes.
    “You are special,” I said quietly, “and I do trust you. Don’t ask me why or how, I just do.”
    “You don’t know how happy that makes me to hear you say that, Lizzy. That’s also the real reason I don’t want to come in for,” he smirked, “a coffee. Believe it or not, I’m not the least bit afraid of your flatmate, but what does scare me is my intense attraction to you, Lizzy, and under no circumstances would I want you to think I was abusing the trust that you have so openly given to me.”
    Although I really didn’t want Lucas to leave, I totally understood what he was saying. The attraction was immense between us, and if we were alone together, I’d be the first to admit that things could happen between us. It wouldn’t be a bad thing—we are both adults, after all—I just didn’t want to be a statistic to him, a one-night stand or even one of those girls who puts out on the first night. My parents brought me up better than that.
    I liked Lucas a lot, and I wouldn’t want him to think badly of me so early on in what could be a relationship. Of all the scenarios I’d imagined, I never thought this intense physical attraction between two people even really existed—outside of a book, that is. I looked back into his eyes, drawing on the safety I felt there. “Thank you,” I said, and with that, I thanked him for the evening, and for his respect and understanding of me. Lucas leaned in and I closed my eyes. I could feel his close proximitybefore I could feel his touch, and when he did finally touch me, it was just a gentle kiss on my cheek and then…nothing. I surprised myself with what I felt—disappointment. My eyes fluttered open and his face was still beside mine; his eyes were closed and by the look on his face, it looked like he was physically pleading with himself.
    I knew instantly what this battle he was having with himself was about. It was for him to have some restraint and be the gentleman he so wants to be with me. I took the decision away from him as I turned my face and pressed my lips to his, and I felt a moment of stillness from him before he brushed his lips to mine. Then we melted into each other; Lucas put his arms protectively around me, pulling me into him as our kiss deepened.
    After a moment that just didn’t seem long enough, and because I didn’t think