Chapter 94. An answer
Jackson Johnson
Her question had stirred up a whirlwind of emotions within me, coursing under my skin, making my heart race. What is happening? I was the one who wanted to ask that question on Saturday night. I had everything planned to make it special, but she...
"No," I blurted out suddenly, without a filter. She took a sharp breath and held it for a few seconds, her cheeks reddening, then exhaled slowly. "Lilly..." She raised both hands to stop me from saying anything.
"I know, I know, I thought that..." She cut herself off, running a hand repeatedly over her neck.
"Wait, wait..." How are you going to tell her that you planned to ask her to be your girlfriend on the sixth date, Jackson? Clear it up!
"I think it would be better to put some distance between us," she said with a tone full of certainty. Alarm bells rang in my head, and I started to panic.
"Distance? No, no, let me explain," her eyes welled up with tears.
"Is it because you think I'm lying?" She handed me the crumpled photo in her hand. "I broke off the engagement myself, I have proof."
"It's not that, let me speak, please." I pleaded, but she was showing no sign of giving me the chance to explain. I hated myself for not knowing how to handle this moment. Why did I have to be a thirty-year-old novice at this? She tried to walk towards the elevator, but I caught her wrist. She didn't turn to face me but tried to pull away. "Wait, you’re not leaving like this. You’re going to listen to me." She stopped struggling, and I gently stroked the skin of her wrist with my thumb.
"I don't want you to say something just to fix this," she replied. I softened my expression and smiled even though she couldn't see it.
"I won't say anything I don't mean. I think I've been pretty transparent with you about not having any experience in relationships. I don't know how to act, how to react, and I don't know how to stop..." I paused until she turned to face me. Seconds later, she looked at me.
"Stop what?" she encouraged me to finish the sentence.
"Stop feeling the burning jealousy of knowing he's close to you, to your family, the fear that you'll put distance between us and end what we have." Her gaze softened. "And if I said 'No,' it's because I wanted to ask you first on Saturday during our sixth date. I had planned so many details to make it special..." Her eyebrows shot up in surprise. "Besides, I thought men were supposed to ask first." She blushed and let out a snort.
"Times change, Jackson."
"Then you'll have to give me some private lessons to guide me... because putting distance between us is not an option, not here, not anywhere." She smiled, and I slowly pulled her closer until our chests touched. I looked down at her, but first, I inhaled her scent. "Lilly Elizabeth Bradley Parson..." She looked up at me.
"Yes?" The corners of her mouth lifted.
"Will you be my girlfriend?" She stayed silent for a moment, then nodded. I lifted her by the waist, catching her by surprise. My lips desperately sought hers. She gasped when I pressed her against the nearest wall. Her legs wrapped around my waist, and we stayed there, locked in a hungry, needy kiss full of desire. We made love right there, skillfully removing some of our clothes. We didn't even have time to reach the nearest couch. We climaxed minutes later, -it didn't take long- her mouth slightly open, gasping for air, her brown eyes looking at me every time I entered her with intensity. I kissed her neck desperately, then we collapsed onto the dark floor, panting like two marathon runners who had just crossed the finish line. Her face was flushed, her hair disheveled, and her blouse half-open. I hadn't even managed to lower her bra and kiss her breasts. After a few more moments of trying to catch our breath and steady our trembling bodies, I helped her adjust her blouse and dress pants. I carried her to the living room couch, and she lay down. I sat beside her and then placed her head on my lap, stroking her hair before resting my head on the back of the couch.
"That was..."
"I know..."
"But..."
"I felt it too..."
"We..."
"Too fast."
"I know..." We stayed like that, not saying anything for a couple of minutes.
"So... we're a couple." She smiled excitedly, covering her face with both hands. I tried to stop her.
"It's exciting for me too..." She removed her hands from her face and smiled wider.
"I've never been this excited about a question." I let out a nervous laugh.
"Me neither."
"But you said no."
"It's a 'no' as in 'wait, I'll ask first.'"