The Game of Love

11

"I have a confession to make."

Adrian said as he pulled beside Jade's car. The moon was out now and even though they were both dry, the tiredness of the water was creeping up on them.

Jade's head was pressed against the seat as she turned to face him, her eyes slightly red.

"What's that?"

She asked, her voice was low as her palm stroked his cheek causing his skin to warm.

"When you saw me in front of Luna I was waiting for my date."

"Oh."

She said still continuing to stroke his cheek.

"I was going to follow through with my mother's request for once and then tell the young lady I couldn't see her again."

"But that changed?"

She asked and Adrian wondered if she'd figured it out.

"See the thing is, I want more dates with her."

Her palm fell from his face.

"Then you should go for it... I'll leave you to call her."

She turned to leave but Adrian held onto her palm.

"Do you think she'd want more dates with me?"

"She'd be crazy not to."

She gave him a half smile, her smile not quite reaching her eyes. This made Adrian smile, he didn't feel alone with this connection he felt for her.

"So go for it, ask her?"

Jade nodded.

"You should."

Adrian retrieved his phone from his pants pocket, scrolling to the picture his mother had sent him earlier.

He faced the device towards her, Jade's eyes widened.

"I'm asking her. Jade I'd like to get to know you better."

Her palm found its way back to his cheek.

"Okay."

"Okay?"

She nodded as he brought his face closer to hers, his lips dying to sync with hers.

"I want to kiss you."

He confessed as their noses touched, his eyes closing in the process.

Their noses rubbed against each other's. He could hear her breathing deepen as he inched his head a bit closer, her breath fanning his lips.

"If you do that, you'd be hooked for life."

She said and Adrian didn't care, in this moment he'd risk losing a stupid bet if it meant more time with her.

"That's a risk I'm willing to take."

He retorted as she pressed her finger against his lips. His eyes opened to meet hers.

"Not tonight."

She pressed her lips against her finger, barely touching his lips before exiting the car.

Adrian sat stunned, speechless as he watched her walk away.

He was a goner, he could feel it. Jade had him in the palm of her hands.

What he was beginning to feel terrified him. He was the same man that didn't believe in love or settling down, so why was it different with her?

He watched as she drove off, following behind her.