Free With Me by Gabbie S. Duran Page A

agreement, realizing he’s standing extremely close to me, merely inches from my body. His head is slightly tilted to the side and I watch his eyes grow hooded, as he looks back at me.
    My body instantly freezes up, my breathing becoming unsteady, as I grow nervous from having him so close. I can smell him, and although he’s not wearing cologne, he has a unique scent that I can’t identify, but it smells good as I breathe him in.
    My body starts to hum with excitement. The mere thought of knowing I’m so close to him makes me remember how good it felt to be wrapped in his arms. A feeling I’ve been craving for years.
    I remember his earlier statement and I nod my head as I swallow the lump in my throat. “Yeah, she’s usually asleep by now, but I didn’t want to be rude by leaving earlier,” I tell him.
    “So how long are you in town for?” I curiously ask him.
    I’m still nervously standing rooted to the spot by his deep voice. “I’m scheduled to leave on Thursday,” he replies, now looking nervous as he rubs the back of his neck with his hand. “I’d like to see more of Josephina while I’m here. If that’s okay with you?” he nervously asks, sounding hesitant at the request. His face grows worried as he waits for my answer.
    “Of course you can see her, Joseph. I would never keep you from spending time with her,” I immediately respond.
    He lets out a breath as he briefly tips his head up to the sky, as if he was holding it in, relief clear on his face when he looks at me again. “Thank you, Kasey. It really means a lot to me,” he quickly replies.
    We both stand there silent, as we continue to stare at each other. His eyes narrow down into a slit as he focuses on me, making me light up inside. I see him slowly begin to lower his head and the anticipation of knowing he’s about to kiss me excites me. I can feel my heart racing. My body braces itself as I prepare for his kiss. As I slowly start to close my eyes, remembering what it felt like to be kissed by Joseph, it rouses my desire, but I’m left disappointed when I hear the ringtone from earlier in the night.
    Joseph quickly draws his body back, taking a full step away from me as he lets out a curse. “I’ve got to go. I’ll give you a call tomorrow to set up a time to see Josephina,” he clips out, turning his body to walk back up to the driveway without a backwards glance at me. I watch him disappear back into the house, the rejection piercing me inside.
    I’m left there in shock, leaning my body up against the side of my SUV for support, wondering to myself if he regretted trying to kiss me. From the look on his face and the explicit curse he let out, I’m pretty sure he did. Sighing to myself, I climb into my car, knowing the best thing to do now is drive away.
     

 

     
     

     
     
    WHAT THE HELL just happened? I don’t know, but I’m confused as fuck. If Elizabeth hadn’t decided to call, I’m pretty sure I would have had Kasey in my arms, kissing her. Still kissing her because I’m pretty sure I wouldn’t be able to stop once I started. I wouldn’t want to either.
    I don’t know what came over me, but seeing her sweet innocent face like I remembered her, made me loose all coherent thought. My only focus was her, as always when she’s around. She didn’t have to do anything to make me feel this way. It was the same when we were young and apparently she still had the power to do it.
    Remembering I was engaged had left my mind while I was looking down at her. Shit, I couldn’t even remember my own name. She had me hypnotized. All I could remember was how good her lips felt against mine. It was something I’ll never forget. Ever. I also couldn’t stop remembering how I had held her in my arms wishing I didn’t have to leave. That alone was repeating itself in my mind. A non-stop loop since the day she came back into my life.
    Running my hand over my head and down my face to help clear my mind, I walk into the house,