“Hey, relax. I’m here. You’ll be fine.”
“My dad and I were in a car crash during a really bad thunderstorm. I was six. Luckily, I wasn’t hurt, but my dad was killed. That’s why I don’t like them,” she whispered. “I never drive during a thunderstorm.”
“It’s all right. We’re safe in a house, not in a car,” he soothed. His voice seemed to calm her down a little; she stopped shaking.
“Will you come downstairs with me to get the candles?” she requested.
“I’m your slave. I have to do it,” he stated as he pulled the covers off them and led her downstairs.
“Thanks, Nick.”
“You don’t have to thank me.”
“Yes, I do. You’re so nice to me.”
“Not always. There was the time I called you a bitch, you know,” he reminded her.
“Yeah, but I was.” She opened the cupboard and pulled out a box of four votive candles just as thunder roared and the lights went out.
She jumped, and nearly fell, but he grabbed her before she had the chance. “Let’s light one of the candles and go back upstairs.” He pulled a matchbook out of the box and lit one of the candles.
Michelle looked at the label. “Nick, why do you have romance aromatherapy candles?” she giggled.
“Because one of my ex-girlfriends probably left them over here,” he said.
When they got back up to her room, they lit the other three candles and set them down. He looked at her face and couldn’t help but realize how gorgeous she was in candlelight.
“You’re staring at me,” she whispered. They both began to blush.
“Sorry,” he said. “I just – wow.“
“What?”
“You’re beautiful,” he confessed. “I think you’re beautiful.”
Even in the dim light, he could see how red she was. “I’m not beautiful. I’m fat and I have dark circles around my eyes and my hair is always out of control…”
He put a finger to her lips. “That’s not true at all, Michelle. You’re absolutely…breathtaking.”
“Breathtaking?” she repeated softly. “I don’t think anyone has called me breathtaking before. Not even Brad.”
“He didn’t appreciate you,” he reminded her.
Her eyes drooped suddenly, and he could see tears glisten in them. “Nick, you’re my slave, right?” she whispered. “You’ll do something for me?”
“Yeah.”
“Take the pain away,” she begged. “Make me feel better.”
“I don’t know how – “ He was silenced by the feel of her lips on his. He immediately responded by slipping his tongue into her mouth. Mmm…they felt so right together. Her arms wrapped around his neck, and his hands found their way up the back of her shirt, needing to feel her skin on his.
Suddenly, she pulled away. “What are we doing?”
“I don’t know.”
“I’ve never…you know…I’m a…”
“You’re a virgin. I know. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have done anything.”
“No, I was the one who kissed you.” She touched his cheek gently and ran her hand over it. “I don’t deserve someone like you.”
“What? You’re a goddess. I’m nothing compared to you.”
“No, you’re perfect. Your soft skin, your bright blue eyes, your luscious lips…” Her hand went back down to her side, and she looked away, embarrassed. “I’m so stupid.”
“You’re not.”
“I’m falling in love with you, a guy I could never have.”
“What makes you think you could never have me?” He turned her face towards his and kissed her passionately.