Chapter 45: Don't hide from me

I froze.

Maya stooped with a fork in her mouth, her eyes wide like the earth itself.

My mom’s eyes stayed in Klaus, patient , calm… calculating like his answer decided her next move.

Because it did.

Klaus didn’t panic– he never did.

Instead he locked eyes with my mom, no hint of fear of discomfort rested in his eyes and it didn’t look like he would dodge the question either.

A composed smile crept on his face and he opened his mouth to talk.

God please don’t let him say something stupid.

“I like her”

A pure suffocating silence followed.

My heart stopped– literally.

It felt like everyone else was breathing air I couldn't get hold off.

I swear there should be a door to open my belly and free the butterflies stuck in there. I turned to look at him so fast I almost gave myself a whiplash.

I honestly thought after we kissed I shouldn't feel this way. Like I'm supposed to get used to it.

Damn. No one does it like Klaus.

I heard maya squeal so loud we thought a rat was under the table.

Mom didn’t react immediately. She turned to me instead.

“And you?”

I swallowed hard and stared speechless for what seemed to be an eternity.

Come on Tessa, where is the confidence from last night? You said a whole love speech for him, what the fuck is stopping you from saying you like him in front of mom?

That's the problem, it's in front of mom.

“I…” I stopped and my heart pounded loudly in my chest so much that I placed a hand over my chest to make sure it didn't escape. I opened my mouth to continue but a gentle touch on my other hand stopped me in my tracks.

Klaus.

I looked up and our eyes locked. He smiled and I swear I passed out for a second. My breath hitched. I didn't look at my mom.

“I–”

“I already have my answer” mom cut me off before i could talk and with a sharp effect, I turned to her and she was smiling.

Approvingly smiling.

Oh my god. Is that a go ahead smile?

“Whatever you do, don't get pregnant” was all she said. She stood up, grabbed her book and walked upstairs to her room. Before she left, I could hear her mutter “ugh teenagers” .

I chuckled lightly and Klaus' grip on my hands tightened.

“Hi” he said

“Hey” i replied

“Get a room" Maya shouted, grabbed her plate and went to the living room.

“Should we go to my room?” I couldn't stop myself before saying it.

That sounded like an invitation to have sex.

“Uhh… i didnt mean..i” i stuttered trying to construct two sentences together.

Without another word, he stood up and said “lead the way, i only know the route from your window”

I chuckled so loud I heard maya rolled her eyes.

He sat right on my bed immediately after we arrived.

“You seem so excited to be here” I said and turned to find him less than an inch away from my face– actually what is smaller than an inch, yeah that, divide it my two. He was insanely close.

“I am because it's you” he whispered and I could feel his hot breath on mine.

Dear lord, show me the blueprints of the creation of this man. It has to be studied.

My breath hitched. Damn.

“Is your plan to get me killed?” I whispered. The little air that passed in between us was tense.

“Maybe” he whispered his eyes fixed on my lips. A quiet groan escaped his lips “I really want to kiss you right now”

My eyes widened and before I could protest, his arms wrapped around my waist and pulled me so close I couldn't breath.

“Klaus–” the sound that came out was more embarrassing that my cheeks turning bright pink.

“Shushhh, dont ruin the moment Theresa” he growled.

Oh dear lord, he never said my name like that.

This man is looking at me like I'm his next meal and worse–

I'm rather intrigued Than scared.

The degree of the room shot up to 40°c becaus4 I could swear I started melting in that moment.

I don't remember how but I found my palms against his chest and they were glorious.

He leaned in and I Shut my eyes. Right as his lips were about to touch mine,I felt this abrupt stop, then–

“Look at me Theresa”

Damn the way he said my name

I slowly opened my eyes and they were stuck on his.

His hand came up slowly, brushing a loose strand of hair away from my face, his fingers lingering just a second too long against my skin.

“Don't hide from me” he whispered.

“I won't” not anymore.

He smiled.

“Good” he said and pulled me closer “this is what you want?”

Fuck yeah.

I nodded.

“You want messy old Player boy Klaus?”

I found my arms moving without my instructions or control to his cheeks. I pulled him a bit lower.

“I want Nicolas Hayes” I whispered,eyes locked on his “the real you”

His expression shifted. Not quite sure what it was but it was good.

“Not the comfortable version or the publicly accepted version” I continued “the real you”

“You already know that's going to be messy for both of us” he was concerned.

“We'll figure it out”

“But–”

“Don't hide from me Nicolas”

I smirked.

He smiled.

The only way any of this was going to work if we do not hide from each other.

Whatever the chase would be, we would be there for each other.

“I love you” he whispered.

Damn. Third time he's saying that and it feels like the first time every single time. The things you do to me Nicolas.

Mt hands slipped down back to his chest. My eyes followed and when I looked back upp our lips touched.

He didn't even let me say it back. Was he that sure?

The kiss deepened just slightly, warmer, more certain, and I felt it everywhere—like my entire body forgot how to function except for this.

No seriously, in that moment I didn't even know my name.

My hands tightened on his shirt as if pleadibg for him not to stop– even to breath.

His hand moved to the back of my neck, pulling me just a little closer, like he couldn’t help it anymore.

And for a moment–

The kiss didn't feel enough to satisfy this growing feeling between these young hearts.

What next then?

How else should we show that we weren't hiding ?