Zenon's Game Chapter 165

As I pulled up outside the restaurant, Zenon leaned over the car seat, surprising me. He grabbed my jaw with his thumb and index finger and tilted my head towards him.

He kissed me, parting my lips so we could deepen the kiss. Our eyes were closed and I brought my hand up to his strong jawline, tracing it all the way to his chin.

"I'm hungry," he whispered, as his fingers traced from my collarbone further down my shirt.

"Let's eat quickly then," I broke apart and unbuckled my car seat.

"That's not what I meant."

Zenon and I walked into the restaurant and as we waited for our table, his hand gently took hold of mine.

The soft expressions of his voice soothed me. The waitress led us to our table and I noticed him seem serious for a moment, as if he was thinking about today.

He sat opposite me and I glanced at his tousled hair, thick to my touch. He raised a hand to the cape of his neck and he looked at me, a secret about to spill.

I can tell when he wanted to tell me something. There was a pregnant pause between us, as his eyes darkened, and his lips parted.

But then it evaporated. And I knew there was something I had missed.

"Menus?" the waitress offered us two.

Zenon thanked her and flipped it open to the Mains page.

"You texted me about a cat?" he asked.

"Oh! Yeah," I said, "I met the owner today. It turns out Roger is actually Winnifred."

"Roger's a female?" Zenon said, "How did we miss that?"

It really has been a long day.

And it wasn't even over yet. I had no idea that in a few hours, we would be checking in at a hospital.

Zenon and I arrived back to his home after dinner, exhausted. It was dark outside, and the warm glow of his living room was an inviting cove.

His fingers were in my hair the moment we stepped across the threshold.

Our arms were wrapped around each other and our kiss was hungry. Our legs intertwined as we took unsteady steps into the entrance of his house.

I find myself so uncontrollably attracted to him.

He ran his hand through my hair, gently tugging it and pulling me closer to him. The feeling of his fingers sent shivers through my spine. His touch was soft but when I leaned against him, his hold was strong.

I wrapped my arms tighter around his neck and kissed him deeply. It felt like ages ago since we were last alone together.

He raised me into the air, and I accidentally knocked over a flowerpot. But he caught it with his right hand, his reflexes coming into play, and set it down away from me before returning to kissing me.

"Ahem," a voice interrupted us.

Annika was sitting cross legged on the couch, playing a game of cards with Jake.

The living room door was wide open, making this a very awkward moment.

They'd been watching us, shocked by our unexpected entrance and wild behavior. They looked so cozy too, with surround sound speakers emitting calm music in the background and scented candles lit around them.

We really just barged into their sanctuary, furiously making out.

"Have you guys been here all evening?" Zenon asked them, gently lowering me as I untangled myself from him.

He was buying me time to collect myself.

When he asked that question, I could hear a touch of envy in his voice. While they've been here sipping their wine in peace, we've been battling dramas like a game of whac-a-mole.

Annika fanned herself, "Well that was hot. I almost feel guilty for interrupting."

Annika's red hair was pulled into a bun over her head and she was wearing a baggy white t-shirt.

"Really? Because I feel sick," Jake muttered, "Watching my brother make out is not something I ever want to do again."

Annika waved us over, "We didn't know where you went. We came back from the lake house and you weren't at home. Come join us! I'll pour you a dop."

Zenon's arm slid down my back as we walked towards them, playfully tickling my skin. He wasn't ready to fully let go.

Annika reached forward and took the bottle of wine from the coffee table. She waved it in the air invitingly and, suddenly, hid it behind her back.

A parent must have walked in.

Both Zenon and I turned around, our shoulders brushing as we did. Sure enough, we came face to face with Mr Albert.

"I told you we needed to talk when you got back from the lake house," he said to his son, "You've been gone all evening."

He didn't even acknowledge the rest of us.

"You need to sign the LOI," Mr Albert reminded him.

As if Zenon had forgotten.

Zenon had spent all afternoon with Layton, talking about their futures over a friendly game of basketball. What do they want in life?

It's a tough question for a high school senior to answer. But adults ask that of us anyway.

"Let's talk about it now," Zenon sighed, resigned.

He led his father away, not wanting our evening to be ruined on his account. As he walked away, he brushed my hand and squeezed it reassuringly.

I couldn't wait for him to come back. Just a few minutes ago, I was feeling alive. Now... the adrenaline and the passion faded. I wanted him to come back, so we could finish what we started.

We've gone through a lot today and all I wanted was to end it in his arms... because I've become a sappy little human. And also because I really wanted to know if Zenon was a cuddler in bed.