Page 110 of Finding Storm

I’ve known this guy for a short period of time.

I knew this was temporary.

He was never mine to keep.

Storm lowers the grocery bag to the floor. Steps closer, reclaiming the space I put between us, and takes my face in his hands. I close my eyes.

I can’t have him this close, touching me like this, and not cry.

Funny because, only moments ago, I was feeling happy.

Shows you just how quickly things can change.

“Stevie … look at me.” His voice is low and commanding.

I blink my eyes open. His stare is focused and intense.

“I don’t care that my car is ready. Because I’m not ready to go yet. I want more time with you.”

Yet.

That one words says everything.

He’s not ready to go yet. But he will be at some point.

My mouth is dry. My chest aches.

I do want more time with him. But won’t it just hurt more when it does come time for him to leave?

Because, inevitably, it will happen.

He said it himself. Yet.

He will eventually leave.

He presses his forehead to mine. “Tell me you want me to stay.”

Conflicting feelings have my mind and heart at war.

He stays, and it only prolongs the inevitable. The longer I’m with him, the more I’ll feel. The more it will hurt when he goes.

But sense has never been my strong point. And knowing he wants to stay, even if just a bit longer, makes me find it harder to care about my own feelings.

I’ll deal with the pain when it’s time.

I wet my lips, exhaling a breath. “I want you to stay.”

He groans, and it sounds an awful lot like relief. Then, his lips find mine, and he kisses me right here in the street.

It’s deep and wet and intoxicating. And it feels like a claiming.

I’m clutching on to him for dear life, kissing him back equally as desperately.

He breaks off, breathing heavy. He tilts his head back, staring into my eyes, his own bright with some unnamed emotion. His hands still cradling my face. “You want me to stay?” he checks.

“Yes.”

“Then, I’m staying.” His words sound final, but we both know they’re not. Because left unsaid was for how long he’s staying … another day or a week or a month.