Liana's POV:
My breath caught in my throat, and my eyes shut on their own as I felt her lips touch mine. For a second, my heart forgot how to beat. Her lips were soft and warm enough to melt away the last bit of self-control I had left.
Without thinking, I wrapped my arms around her waist and pulled her onto my lap. She gasped, a small sound that sent shivers down my spine. Her lips started to move against mine, and I felt her arms circle around my neck as she settled on my lap, her heartbeat matching mine.
I gently bit her lower lip, and her fingers tightened around the back of my neck. She pulled me closer, tracing my upper lip with her tongue. I sucked in a breath and parted my lips. The kiss deepened, passionate yet unhurried, like we both wanted to memorize every second of it.
When we finally pulled back, her eyes were still closed, and both of us were panting for air. I couldn't help but chuckle softly and cup her flushed cheeks. "That was… wonderful," I whispered.
She slowly opened her eyes, biting her lip, but the corners of her mouth twitched into a shy smile. Her grip around my neck tightened for a moment as if she didn't want to let go. But then she swallowed hard and almost ran out of the room without saying a word.
A laugh escaped me, and I flopped back onto the bed, touching my lips. I probably looked like a complete idiot grinning at the ceiling, but I didn't care. My heart was racing, but it was a feeling I'd love to wake up to every day.
____________
The next morning, I woke up with a jolt as something cold splashed onto my face. I blinked rapidly, but it took me a moment to realize what had happened. That cute friend of mine, Char, had just thrown water at me.
I groaned and ran a shaky hand through my hair. My body was trembling slightly, and I knew why. Whenever I reacted too suddenly, my heart rate spiked, and the trembling followed. It was a leftover effect of my panic episodes.
Yes, I'd seen doctors and even a psychologist. They said my brain treated every sudden reaction as a threat. I'd learned to hide it well, but sometimes… it still slipped through.
Char sat beside me, nudging my shoulder. "Wake up. It's past ten already."
I let out a small laugh and looked around to steady myself. Laura also stood there grinning. I swallowed hard, feeling the thin layer of sweat clinging to my skin. I knew my body was still trying to calm down from the rush.
Taking a slow breath, I stretched and said, "Okay, okay… you two go ahead, I'm coming."
They nodded, and Laura dragged Char out of the room. I pressed a hand to my chest, breathing deeply until the trembling faded.
My palms were still cold, but I forced myself to stand and freshen up before heading to the living room. Even then, I could tell from their looks that my face still seemed pale.
Sitting down at the dining table, I muttered, "I'm hungry," earning a laugh from Laura.
She was sitting across from me and leaned forward to pinch my cheeks. I frowned and swatted her hand away.
"Ouch!" she pouted dramatically and rubbed her hand. "Rude!" She complained with her extra sweet voice, but I was already pissed off. Yet a small smile curved my lips as I rolled my eyes.
A few minutes later, Ethilia and Char came out of the kitchen carrying plates. I raised a brow and sipped some water.
"Trust me, we have plenty of maids and helpers," I said. "Why do you guys still cook? I'll never understand."
Char sat beside Laura, already serving herself. "Because not everyone is as lazy as you."
I narrowed my eyes and crossed my arms. "I have other work besides cooking," I shot back, my tone sharper than I intended. I really didn't mean to snap, but my mood was not good, and the sudden silence made me realize they hadn't expected that.
Ethilia cleared her throat softly and set a sandwich in front of me. "Yes… but sometimes it feels nice to cook for someone we… care about." Her eyes met mine for a fleeting second. Which was enough to dissolve the grumpiness I woke up with.
I hummed and picked up the sandwich. I took a bite to hide the small smile threatening to appear.
The brunch went smoothly until Char's phone buzzed. I saw her tense immediately. Her eyes flickered toward me, which was unusual. Something was off.
What happened? I mouthed, making sure Laura or Ethilia didn't notice.
She shook her head, mouthing back, Later.
I nodded, trying not to push, and helped Ethilia clear the table. When we stepped into the kitchen and placed the dishes in the sink, I caught her wrist and gently turned her to face me.
She swallowed hard, and I could see the heat rising in her cheeks, which made me smirk. I hid it and cleared my throat.
But when my eyes fell on her lips, I swallowed hard myself, feeling the sweat forming along my skin as the space between us grew warmer.
"That was pretty bad of you," I said with a low and teasing voice. "Running away after a stunt like that last night?"
She hesitated before whispering, "That was… just a dare." Her voice came out breathy, so faint that I wouldn't have heard it if I weren't completely focused on her.
I hooked my finger under her chin and tilted her face toward me. When our eyes met, I saw the flicker of delight there. The tiny tremor in her breath when her gaze drifted down to my lips and lingered for a second too long.
A smirk tugged at my lips as I leaned closer, so that she could feel my breath on her lips, "Really?" I whispered.
Her breath hitched, and honestly, my own heart was pounding so fast that I was afraid she could hear it.
She licked her lower lip nervously, her chest rose and fell a little quicker, before she slowly placed her hands on my shoulders.
My smirk softened into a real smile. No teasing this time, just something genuine. Maybe, just maybe, she was finally starting to feel safe with me.
I released her wrist and brought both hands up to cup her cheeks. Her skin felt warm beneath my palms as I leaned in and pressed a soft kiss to her forehead.
"I always say your eyes betray your voice," I murmured.
Her eyes fluttered shut, and her grip on my shoulders tightened. "I know," she whispered. "Or maybe… I wasn't trying to hide it."
I smiled and pulled back before looking at her, "You don't need to..."
Before I could finish, she let out a quiet hum that made my voice die in my throat. "But I'm still not sure," she said, with her trembling voice.
When I looked into her eyes, I saw the vulnerability she'd tried so hard to keep hidden. Maybe she wasn't trying anymore.
I ran my thumb along her cheek, keeping my tone gentle, in an attempt to assure her. "Then take your time... As much as you need."
I don't know why, but her eyes went teary and she suddenly threw her arms around me, burying her face in my neck. The soft sound of her uneven breathing hit me first, but I was happy she was finally letting her guard down.
Instinctively, I wrapped my arms around her and pulled her closer. I began rocking her slowly, trying to steady her breath... and maybe mine too.
After a few minutes, she whispered against my skin, "Why? Why would you even wait for me? When I can't forgive myself for what I did… why are you doing this?" her voice broke at the last word..
How could I tell her that every tear she shed felt like a knife to my chest? That her pain hurt more than anything physical ever could?
I took a deep breath and kissed her temple softly before answering,, "Maybe that's just how I am... Or maybe you're the only one I'm willing to forgive. Again and again."
She pulled back slightly, and I wiped the tears from her cheeks before kissing her forehead once more. "Now, stop overthinking and..."
She pressed a finger gently against my lips and shook her head, "I won't... I'll keep overthinking… and I want you to be the one to break it. Every single time."
Her arms slid around my neck again as she looked straight into my eyes. "But yes, I promise not to run away this time. Even when things get hard. Will that be enough?"
I tilted my head in confusion. Honestly, I didn't understand what she was saying, which made her chuckle. That sound felt so relaxing and light that it made my heart flutter in my chest.
She leaned closer and whispered with a low voice, "I never hated you, smartass. Yes, I was angry and stupid, but never hated." And this was enough to make me forget how to breathe.
Yet, I opened my mouth to say something, but before a word could come out, she silenced me by pressing her lips to mine.
For a moment, everything else faded, and my mind went quiet except for one thing: how her touch made my world stop spinning.
I don't know what she was doing, but maybe she understood how her every action was affecting me and how I wished for the time to stop there.
I just want her in my arms. She's already become the only source of my peace, the only reason my heart feels alive. I can't let her go, not after these stunts... and I really hope this isn't a game for her this time...
I don't know what's right or wrong anymore. But if God is watching me, if He really knows what's inside my heart, then please… don't take her away from me.
She's the only thing I've ever truly wanted from you.