Chapter Three
They walked through the grassy lawns of the neighbourhood park. The lights created shimmering halos around the park. The moon was bright as it cast it's magical spell on them. There were a few people strolling around. One or two families were also around. Zachary walked on the grass, holding her hand, feeling her shoulder brush with his, creating a tremor run down him. It was something he had never done in his entire twenty-two years of life. What a man needed to do to make a girl fall for him!
"Have you ever taken a walk with your boyfriend?" He asked, knowing very well that she could see through his question. But he had to know how many men she dated. With her gorgeous looks there ought to be a long list of men whom she dated.
"I never had a boyfriend, if that's what you want to know," she said, trying to hide a smile.
"Really? How?" He asked, perplexed. How could a girl not have a boyfriend? In his circle, every girl had slept with every man available. All of them had so many boyfriends that they lost track.
"I don't do casual relationships. If I ever love someone it'll be for life," she said, quietly, looking into his eyes. He felt the depth of her simple words. Wouldn't he want to be the lucky one? He was lost in her eyes, drowned in them. Her simple words tugged at his heart.
"What type of men do you prefer? Is there any hope for me?" He asked with a faint smile. Surely he would top the list. There wouldn't be anyone like him in the small town where she lived.
"Absolutely no hope," she said, pulling her hand away. She didn't wish to give him any encouragement. It was just a matter of a few days and she would be gone from his life to her home in Huntsville.
He missed the warmth of her hand as soon as she pulled out. "Why?" He asked, perplexed. She was the first girl who had dashed all his hopes. What should he do now to make her fall for him and have his way with her?
"Because I will be going away in a few days and we will never see each other again," she said. She didn't tell him that he was the type she actually avoided all her life.
"You never know what might happen in a few days. See your friend Carol. She got married overnight, " he said with a smile.
"It won't happen with me. I have too many responsibilities, Zachary," she said, seriously. "My parents need the money I earn. I have two younger brothers to take care of. I teach them to save costs. I help my mom complete her baking orders. Then we deliver the goods and collect the money. I help my dad at his garage too. When he's sick, I handle it all on my own. I can't deviate. There's no place for love in my life," she said looking at some distant tree. "I need to go back. Goodnight," she said abruptly, and turning around, she walked back to her building.
Zachary stood transfixed to the spot. He had never met someone like her. She was such a simple yet gorgeous girl both inside and out. Her words made him all the more determined to make her his. No, he didn't want just her body, he wanted her soul too. It became an obsession. Why? He didn't know.
Sera walked down to the apartment. River wouldn't be arriving anytime soon, so she simply changed and went to bed. Thoughts of Zachary clouded her mind. She hoped that he lost interest soon and left her in peace. She didn't want to have a casual fling with him, if that was what he was looking for. She had made it clear to him and he hopefully got the idea.
The next morning, she freshened up and sat at the kitchen table to sip her coffee. River wasn't back yet and she was thinking whether to make breakfast for her too when the doorbell rang.
She might as well make breakfast for River since she already arrived, thought Sera and opened the door wide with a smile. "Was thinking of making breakfast for you," she said, turning from the door and going to the kitchen.
"Oh you can cook?" Asked Zachary's husky voice. She whirled around and came nose to nose with Zachary Reynor.
"You? I thought it was River," she said, in surprise. Why did he have to come so early in the morning? Didn't he get the message that she wasn't interested in him?
"That doesn't answer my question," he said, looking deep into her eyes, as his arm went around her waist.
"Yes, I can cook. So?" She said, licking her dry lips from nervousness. Why did he have to come so close?
His gaze fell to her dewy pouty pink lips and he felt himself getting aroused. "Did anyone ever kiss you Sera?" He asked in a husky voice as his eyes darkened and his hold on her tightened and he pulled her flush against him.
"No, I," her voice was drowned as his mouth came crashing down upon hers. He parted her mouth hungrily and slipped his hot tongue inside her sweet mouth. He kissed her thoroughly and lingeringly, tasting her mouth completely. His mouth ultimately left hers and she stared at him with wide eyes and erratic breath.
He stole her first kiss. She had to accept that he was a very expert kisser. She never knew that a kiss could feel so heavenly.
"I've brought breakfast for you," he said when he could control his breath again. It was the best kiss of his life. He had kissed so many times but he never felt so happy. After kissing Sera, he felt like he needed to kiss her again and again. It was clear that she had never been kissed. He wanted to be the one to teach her how to kiss. He didn't want her to kiss anyone else but him.
Confused by his own feelings, he picked the food packets up from the table near the main door and carried it to the kitchen.
The doorbell rang and Sera went to open the door. River rushed in with tears streaming down her face. She sat down on the sofa and wept bitterly. Sera sat beside her and hugged her friend wordlessly. She let her take out her grief.
Zachary came and sat down beside River too. "What happened Rivera?" He asked in concern.
"Tyler's married, Zach. I have lost the last hope I ever had," she said, sobbing bitterly. Sera had no idea who she was talking about so she kept quiet. Maybe when the time was right, River would tell her. She got up and got a glass of water for River. She drank up thankfully and her sobs reduced..
"Move on, sis. He's not for you, " said Zachary, going to the kitchen and serving food for all of them.
River didn't want to eat anything. She went to her room and locked herself in. Zachary and Sera ate in silence.
