Caroline and the Pastor

Chapter Nineteen

Caroline:
We could not have gotten to the church any slower! It felt so nice to vent to him in the car, though. He's just so soothing. We went down to his chamber. I love how peaceful this is. Especially, for studying. He knows I haven't missed anything, so I think we're just hanging out in here. Apparently, Mr. Williams is a deceitful man, and he didn't want me alone with him. I'd much rather be here anyway, so I'm glad he suggested this. I'll be darned, if that mean ol' teacher took me away from my evenings at church.

"Caroline? Can you come here for a second?"

"I-in the bathroom?"

"Yes, I need your opinion on something. I'm clothed, don't worry."

"Oh, okay! What is it tha-" Holy smokes, he's dressed in his regular clothes. Wow..

"Hey, can I have your eyes for a second?"

"Y-yes, Julian."

"What tie goes better with this suit? The red one or the black one? This is for the parent-teacher meeting I'll be attending with you next week. I coaxed your parents to let me come with since they drag you to these things, and you don't need to go. I know how much you hate them, and I figured you could use some company. Plus, I don't trust that teacher of yours."

Aww. No he didn't! That's amazing! He's picking out a suit for that? What a guy! I couldn't help but hug him.

"Thank you! That means so much to me! You're really picking out a suit for that, though?"

"Of course. I have to look my best, especially if I'm representing you."

That made me smile ear to ear. I know for a fact that I'm blushing, but I can't think enough to hide it.

"Hmm, I'd go with the red one. It compliments your eyes."

"Oh, you didn't even take a full look! Your face is still snuggling my chest. Not that I find that a problem, though."

Stepping back,  I took him in. Wow... he's so handsome. Focus!

"I-uhh... definitely the... the red one."

"Thank you, darling. That's the one I was leaning towards, too."

He stepped up to me and tucked my hair behind both ears. The previous blushing episode I had quickly returned because he then gave my forehead a soft, slow kiss.

"Hey, lovely, so there's something that's been circling my mind for a little bit. Could you do me a big favor?"

"Sure, anything." I made sure to hold his eyes when I looked at him, so he knew I meant it.

"Go to the mirror for me?"

I walked over to the mirror, and he placed himself right behind me. Usually, someone's hands on my hips would freak me out, but his felt like they belonged there. I felt so safe.

"Okay, so I've done some thinking. It makes me so sad when people think they can walk all over you. Just like the lambs versus the lions. Don't you agree?"
I nodded.
"Therefore, I've devised a little plan. Look at yourself in the mirror. Do you think you're a lion or a lamb?"

I couldn't help but giggle, this sounds so silly.
"Uhhh. I think, since people step all over me, I'm a lamb."

"Nope, I think you're a lion. That's what we want to get out of you. You have this gorgeous mane that's... wow, incredibly soft. You have these strong arms. Then, there's this gorgeous mouth, that I'm sure can leave more than a little mark. I think we gotta work on getting your inner lion out. I think she's in there."

I have so many goosebumps from the way he ran his fingers through my hair to the way he stroked my cheeks. Not only was that a heavenly experience, but I think he's right. I think I do have a lion in me. I can stick up for myself, if I wanted to.

"You know what? Yeah. I am a...lion."

"You're a what?"

"A lion."

"A who?"

"A lion!" He laughed and squeezed my shoulders a bit.

"Yes! There she is! I knew you could do it.

"I yelled. I'm so sorry!"

"Nope! No apologies. Every day we're going to have you do this with me, okay? It's going to be a mantra, and I won't rest until you firmly believe in it. We have to make sure you start standing up for yourself. Especially, with that gross teacher of yours."

"Every day? Okay."

"I'd say this tutoring is going pretty well. We're achieving very important things."

"I guess that does count as teaching me something. I, honestly, never really thought about that before. I am pretty tired of being stepped on. Thank you for seeing that in me, and thank you for believing in me."

"I wouldn't dream of doing anything but supporting you. Except... maybe I dream about a little something like this too."

He slowly turned me around and kissed me. That caught me by surprise, but I am one-hundred percent not complaining. I had to rest my hands on the counter, despite the fact that his arm looped around my waist to support me. Everything seems so right, whenever this happens. My whole body gets so happy, it goes numb and tingly. Yet, I feel so warm and safe. I wish I didn't have to do anything but this for the rest of my life. Just us, like this, and him kissing over and over and over and over. Just like he is right now. I don't know how much more a girl could want, but I definitely want it.

He broke the kiss, but his forehead rested on mine. His breath smelled like my chapstick, and I absolutely loved it.

"You did a great job with your... lesson today. Don't forget to take that home with you, because I want to make sure you're the best you that you can be. Alright?" His hand cupped my cheek, and I couldn't help but lean into it.
I also happened to notice how particularly breezy it felt under my dress. Cold? Wet? Oh no.

"Yes, Julian." I smiled at him. He makes me so happy. "Please don't tell me it's time to go home."

"That it is, angel. Unfortunately so."

"On one condition."

"Oh? A condition? Miss Locke, I'm properly interested."

How does he always manage to make me so giggly?  "Could you kiss me again?"
Something different flashed in his eyes. Nothing I've ever seen before, but I really liked it. I think I should try out this lion thing more often.

"I'd be honored to."