arindalee

I put lip balm onto my lips “Wow this is incredible. Great, very moisturizing. Moist.” I playfully rubbed my lips, a secret smile curving them.

Then, with newfound confidence, I stepped out to meet him.

As our eyes locked, embarrassment tinged my cheeks. I held my hand against my flushed skin. His smile was sweet, mischievous. “Makeup?” he teased. “To look pretty for me? To look feminine?”

“No!” I retorted, my knuckles grazing his forehead in mock annoyance. “My friend gifted it to me. I'm wearing it because I have—” Before I could finish, he leaned in and kissed my left cheek.

Time froze. My blush deepened, matching the rosy hue of my skin. “You expected this?” he whispered, his breath warm against my face. I simply gazed at him, “What is it?” His wonder.

“This side is also expecting something,” I touched my right cheek, my heart fluttering like a captured butterfly.

His smile widened, and he drew closer. I closed my eyes, savoring the moment. “Are you addicted?” he teased once more.

I got annoyed and pushed him hard. “You pretend to be innocent but you come out and ask for it. You don't make small talk,” he explained quickly.

“You need a hard kick, don't you?” I stared at him “Come here. I will kill you. Come here quickly” I started chasing him. Suddenly, he pulled me into an embrace, and the world spun. “Come here,” he whispered.

And in that stolen second, as our hearts beat in sync, I realized that sometimes, the most beautiful blush isn't on our skin—it's the anticipation of a kiss yet to come.”