Eden’s POV:
I was just about to sit in the car when Lucas came up beside me and rested his hand on my shoulder. I turned around, too tired to let out a snarky comment.
“Come on,” he said gently. “Let’s talk.”
He opened the back door and let himself in, motioning for me to do the same. Sighing, I obliged, sitting inside and closing the door.
“Okay, what happened?”
At first, I didn’t say anything. Lucas repeated his question and I finally opened my mouth.
“I don’t know,” I whispered, bringing my knees to my chest and hugging my legs tightly. “I don’t know what happened, Luke. One second I was enjoying and in the other, I felt like I was suffocating.”
My brother gently rubbed my head and I rested it against his shoulder while his arm wrapped around me.
“Can you tell me what’s wrong, Eden?”
I fell silent for a while before shrugging.
“We kissed,” I admitted quietly. “I let it happen. I didn’t pull away. I… liked it.”
“Then what’s the problem?”
I took a deep, frustrated breath.
“I don’t know, Lucas,” I said harshly. “I’m terrified of my feelings. I’m terrified. I’m scared of what will happen if I let him in. I’m scared of what I feel for him. I don’t deserve him. He deserves someone who can love him unconditionally, someone who isn’t me. Someone who can give him happiness. I can’t do that. I really can’t.”
“Why not?” Lucas questioned quietly. “Eden, he’s decided he wants to pursue you. You’ve pushed him away too many times and he’s still here. You can’t tell him what he should do and who he should want. You can’t decide who deserves him and who doesn’t. That’s up to him. That’s all on him. The question should be, what do you want? What do you want to do? Do you want him?”
I didn’t realize I was crying until I felt my sleeves dampen. Lucas’s hold on me tightened.
“I do,” I whispered shakily. “I want him. I want him so bad, Lucas, but how can I? I’m not good for him. I’m—“
“Good for him,” Lucas interrupted me. “Listen, you’re not a bad influence. You’re an amazing woman, Eden. You’re amazing. Why don’t you give both of you a chance? If you want him, you should tell him. If it doesn’t work out, there’s nothing to be ashamed about. What matters is that you tried.”
I stayed quiet, knowing he was right. Lucas surprised me. I didn’t think he had this side of him, but I suppose everyone matured at some point.
“Do you want to talk to him?”
I whipped my head towards him.
“Right now?” I whispered in disbelief. Lucas shrugged.
“You have to, y’know,” he replied. “It’s going to be okay. Just be honest. I’ll call him out.”
Lucas got out of the car from the other side, and for someone who didn’t want a confrontation, I let him walk back into the restaurant. He was right. If I wanted Sterling, I had to tell him. If I didn’t… I’d lose him.
Ashley’s POV:
I don’t know what happened between Sterling and Eden; I can only assume that something went wrong. Sterling and I sat in silence, him staring at his glass of soda, and me sipping on my milkshake. I watched him carefully, trying to figure out what was going through that head of his.
I looked up, hearing the door open. Lucas walked in, and I smiled warmly at him.
“How is she?” I asked softly when he had made his way over to us.
Lucas’s POV:
I gave Ashley a small smile before looking over at Sterling.
“I think you should go out there,” I told him, crossing my arms slowly. “Talk it out.”
Sterling’s POV:
I sighed and raised my eyes to meet Lucas’. “I’m sure she doesn’t want to see me right now. In fact, I’m surprised she even sat to eat with me here…”
Lucas’s POV:
I rolled my eyes.
“She wants to,” I told him. “She wants to talk to you. So run along now.”
Sterling’s POV:
I snorted at his demand before standing. “Fine, fine. But if she claws my face off I’m blaming you,” I joked, walking out of the restaurant.
Eden’s POV:
I bit my lip, shifting from one foot to the other, leaning against the car. I decided to wait outside, the fresh air helping my nervousness decrease.
When I saw Sterling walk out, my heart nearly stopped.
Sterling’s POV:
I shoved my hands in my front pockets as I made my way towards her, hardly daring to look at her.
Come on, Ainsley. You can do this. You’re just talking to her. As long as you don’t kiss her again or do something else to scare her off, it’ll be fine… Right?
As I neared her, I couldn’t help the small smile that tugged on my lips. I already missed the way her lips felt on mine, the way they fit perfectly together…
Eden’s POV:
When Sterling finally stood in front of me, I admit I wanted to run away. It wasn’t like me to avoid confrontation, but at this moment I didn’t want to be here because I was afraid of what I’d say. My body, however, refused to work.
“You… were right,” I finally said, the words spilling out of my mouth quietly.
Sterling’s POV:
I was right? What was I— Oh… Oh, I was?
“I was right.. About what I said in the car?” I asked softly, my gaze flicking across her face.
Eden’s POV:
I turned my face away from him, crossing my arms tightly.
“Ever since you kissed me that day, I’ve been so conflicted,” I continued in a whisper. “It burns and I feel like I’m suffocating. I can’t sleep properly because whenever I do, your face just pops in my mind.” My voice broke off a little and I covered my mouth with my hand, trying not to cry. Not in front of him. Not again. “It burns, Sterling. I want to be around you but I can’t because I’m afraid you’ll realize I’m not the one for you. I want you desperately but I can’t because I’m afraid I’ll end up messing up all over again. I don’t want to lose you, Sterling. But I’m afraid I’ll end up losing you anyway.” I didn’t know I was crying until I felt a tickle on my cheek. I immediately wiped it off, but more followed its way. “I want you, Sterling. I really, really do. I know I don’t deserve you, but I end up wanting you, anyway and I just don’t know what to do anymore.”
(By the way… HIYA, MARSHMALLOW~
I’m making my best friend read this. 🤣)
Sterling’s POV:
I swallowed hard and reached out to softly wipe the tears from her cheeks. It hurt to see her crying, but I was so glad about her words.
She wanted me… I never thought she actually would. I had hoped she would, and I had tried my best to get her to fall for me, and my patience had laid off. And I couldn’t be happier about it.
“Eden… You’re not going to lose me. I promise. I will be here for you through anything and everything,” I said softly, taking her hand in mine and bringing it up to my lips to give it a gentle kiss. “And don’t say that you don’t deserve me. You deserve much more than me. But I’m glad you chose me. So thank you, Eden…”
Eden’s POV:
I rested my head against Sterling’s chest, wanting nothing more than for him to hold me. I missed his warmth more than anything.
Finally, I looked up at him and managed a smile.
“Well,” I murmured. “Aren’t you going to kiss me?”
Sterling’s POV:
I laughed deeply before grinning at her. “Happy to oblige, sweetheart,” I teased before bending down and capturing her lips I mine again.
Eden’s POV:
The moment his lips touched mine, I wrapped my arms around his neck, standing on my toes to hold on tighter. I pressed my lips against his desperately as if he might disappear if I didn’t.
My cheeks felt hot and my heart was racing, and the kiss didn’t extinguish anything. It merely poured oil to the burning desire inside of me.
Eden’s POV:
The moment his lips touched mine, I wrapped my arms around his neck, standing on my toes to hold on tighter. I pressed my lips against his desperately as if he might disappear if I didn’t.
My cheeks felt hot and my heart was racing, and the kiss didn’t extinguish anything. It merely poured oil to the burning desire inside of me.
Sterling’s POV:
I held her close, my arms making their way around her waist. Stepping forward, I pressed closer, backing her up against the car.
Something just lit up inside of me whenever I was around her. And when we kissed, it was like it just burned brighter and hotter than before, leaving me wanting more. She was amazing. I was so glad that she was mine. Finally.
Eden’s POV:
I bit back a gasp when Sterling pressed me against the car, kissing me harder. I smiled against his lips, finally feeling free. Every time we kissed, he left me wanting more. I didn’t think I wanted to ever stop kissing him.
Honestly, the time Aaron and I spent together, I never felt this way. Kissing Aaron seemed normal. Kissing Sterling… well, it felt like supernova. Aaron and I hardly shared any intimate moments. With Sterling… I never wanted him to let go.
Finally, I pulled apart, gasping for breath.
“You know…” I took deep breaths, trying to catch my breath. “Kissing you would be much simple if you just leaned down a little more. My feet hurt.”
Sterling’s POV:
“Oh, would it? Sorry, shortie,” I chuckled, bending down to kiss her again quickly. “I’m just glad I won.”
Eden’s POV:
I pulled away quickly, glaring at him.
“Shortie,” I drawled, putting a finger over his lips. “For that comment, you aren’t allowed to kiss me.”
I felt a little silly. Kissing Sterling brought such warmth in me and I felt like a little child, something I hadn’t felt in a long time.
If I continued being around Sterling, I was worried how that would affect my image. I’d worked hard to maintain a scary perspective of myself so people would leave me alone, but I doubt they would if they saw the effect Sterling’s lips brought on me.
Sterling’s POV:
I raised an eyebrow at her, amused by the way she was acting. A smirk made its way to my lips, and I quickly grabbed her hand and pulled it away from my mouth. Before she could react, I was pressing my lips against hers again. “I don’t think so, sweetheart,” I chuckled, my lips never leaving hers.
Eden’s POV:
I didn’t waste any time kissing him back, clutching his shirt tightly in my fists, pulling him closer to myself even though there was hardly any free space left between us.
“You…” I whispered between our kiss. “Are so annoying, Sterling…”
The fact that Sterling took charge caused fireworks to explode in my stomach. It felt like he knew the effect he had on me and how much I loved kissing him. He was getting carried away, and frankly, I didn’t want to stop him.
