BETROTHED Chapter 23

Some part of me was guilty, the other part loved it. It seemed so unreal. I wanted him so bad. He wanted me too. No doubt.

"Shane, kiss me." I whispered without thinking. Shane had invaded my senses.

"I want you to kiss me first, Shayenne."

"Why? You know I'm not courageous enough." I was almost begging. I was craving his touch. I wasn't myself.

He looked at me.

"Honey, you making the first step proves you really want me. I want you to be in control. You've always been the one to be controlled."

My breath caught up. I was mad for this guy.

"When  you're ready, you meet me." he kissed my forehead and released my hand, "Let's go in honey."

Silently and disappointed, I followed him back to the house . I had a lot of thinking to do.

***

The party went on great. I stuck with Keisha all the way. We ate, drank and even danced with a few handsome gentlemen. That took my mind of the garden scene and Shane for some time.

Anyway, I also noticed Shane and Sloane clung to each other throughout. They looked so perfect together. The bad Shane and the good Sloane. I envied them. I sat at a table with Keisha, admiring them at a distance. They were chatting and laughing with a different couple.

The way she giggled and wrapped her arms around him.

At a point she even kissed him. I felt my tummy turn. What was I thinking? They were for each other. He probably still loved her. But at the same time I believed he wasn't messing with my feelings. No. He couldn't. He was probably divided. It hurt.

I wasn't trying to destroy their couple. I just envied it.

"Keisha, I'm not well. I need to go the washroom."

"Oh, alright. Let me know if there's a problem."

"Yeah."

I made my way through the crowd to the ladies' washroom. Shane had seen me go.

When I got there, I was lucky to find it empty. I entered a cabin and cried my sadness out. I loved Shane. I wanted him. I couldn't have him. Once again, I'd fallen for the wrong guy. I felt stupid.

But that was when I realised something. I'd never put my happiness first. I'd never thought of me first. I was furious and tired. I always thought of others first. And me? Didn't I deserve happiness?

I decided on the spot that for once, I'd think of me first.

I heard the main door opening.

"Shayenne?" Shane's voice. What was he doing in the ladies' washroom? I knew it was his house but still, "You didn't seem okay so I came to see if everything was alright. You there?"

I quickly wiped away my watery eyes before walking out of the cabinet. He turned to me.

"You were crying?" he asked, surprised. I guess my eyes were slightly swollen. I didn't answer. He approached me.

"Honey, what is it?"

He tried to touch me but I stopped him. He stared at me in wonder.

To Shane's surprise, with shaking hands, I held his face and slowly, I placed a simple kiss on those soft lips of his. I felt my body shiver just by the little act. That was one big step for me.

I stepped back waiting for his reaction. I was scared. He didn't speak but just stared. And when he finally took a step towards me, my breath caught up. He smirked and wrapped his arms around me. And then,

what I'd dreamt of for the past nights, Shane's lips met mine in a slow passionate kiss. I melted in his arms. He kissed me carefully. He was tender and hot. I was in a different world. I moaned against him, my body growing hotter as he caressed my back with a hand and gently squeezed my ass with the other.

And when he finally broke the long kiss, we were both breathless.

He smiled and I smiled back.

"Shayenne??" I heard Keisha's voice from outside. I turned to Shane.

"Gotta go." I whispered and quickly left the washroom. I would never forget that night.

***

Immediately after that, we left the party. I was still in a daze. Of course I didn't tell Keisha because she'd probably tell me how confused I was again.

*

We got home and I immediately went to bed. I slept with a heartbeat faster than usual.

The next morning I felt good. Kee and I went for out class happily. The previous night had been good for both of us.

We got seated in class and that was when I realised something.

"Um, Kee?"

"Yeah?"

"I've not seen my phone since morning. Is it with you?"

"Nope. When last did you use it."

"I don't know, I-" I cut my sentence short with wide eyes, "Oh, no."

"What?" Keisha asked.

"I forgot it in the guests toilets back at Shane's. Yesterday."

"Uh oh. Girl you better find a way to go get it. If it hasn't been stolen yet."

"I hope not."

"You'll have to wait after school to know."

"Oh, gawd." I mumbled, holding my head. I had to wait till four in the evening.

**

At four PM, I was on the road for Shane's place. I'd left the campus in a hurry.

On reaching Shane's residence, I knocked at the door but no one answered. They'd probably gone to work. I needed my phone.

After hesitating, I tried the door knob and to my surprise, it was open. And so I got into the house.

"Um, anyone home? Shane?? Slone??"

No answer.

It surprised me they'd left the door open. Anyways, I had to get my phone and leave as fast as possible. I went to the ladies' washroom for guests.

~

On entering, I was more than lucky to have found my phone right where I'd left it the previous night. I quickly grabbed it.