Chapter 97 - Intimacy

His tongue carefully snaked its way in between her lips, inviting her tongue for a dance. She was reluctant at first, but as he took the lead, Devon began to follow his lead. 

Lewis's arm snaked around her waist, pulling her closer while the other stroked her back and brushed her hair to the side. He could feel everything; the warmth of her mouth, the softness of her lips, and how she quiver under his grip but still letting him have her. 

He had imagined this many times, but who knew the reality would far exceed his imaginations?

His heart was beating crazily fast that it kept ringing in his ear as if an alarm was telling him his heart was about to explode. However, his mind could only accept death if the cause of it was overwhelming happiness.

"Mhm…!" A reckless moan slipped past her lips and into his mouth, caressing his ears. That soft, muffled sound nearly caused him to lose his mind. 

"Devon," Lewis whispered into her mouth, panting for air as they took a break from kissing. She rested her forehead against him, inhaling and exhaling each other's breath with their chest moving in and out heavily. 

"I'm so happy," He muttered as he cradled her body tightly, but not tight enough to hurt her. He was afraid that this was just a dream, or that if he didn't hold her enough, she might just vanish.

Devon took a deep breath as a weak smile resurfaced on her lips. "Me too," she said. "I'm so happy to the point it feels strange to be this happy." 

Her plan was to make him happy, but she didn't expect she would enjoy it as much as he did. Her heart was still racing, and it gave no sign that it would slow down anytime soon.

"I know." He moved his head, brushing the apex of his nose against her nose. "Can I kiss you whenever I want now?" 

His question made her giggle as she slowly drew away from him to see his face. Lewis' cheeks were just as red as hers, and his eyes were just as bright as the sun.

"If that's what you want." She nodded, but Lewis narrowed his eyes. 

"If that's what I want? What about you?"

"Will I give you permission, if I don't, uhm… like it?" Devon pursed her lips as he was purposely making her admit things. 

Although she had been very straightforward with her feelings, this still felt a bit embarrassing. 

"Then kiss me whenever you feel like it too." Lewis shrugged as he didn't mind it. In fact, he would love it. 

They stared at each other for a moment before the corner of their lips curled up into a smile. Even without words, both of them were happy. 

"Are you my girlfriend now?" Lewis asked suddenly, as he didn't want them kissing and being too intimate while being just friends. 

"You mean, lover?" 

He nodded as he blinked ever so slowly. "If you say no, I will keep kissing you until you say yes."

"Then, no," Devon blurted out as she immediately covered her lips with her realization. 

"Oh ho, Lin Devon." Lewis chuckled as a smug grin appeared on his lips. "Do you like me that much?" 

Devon pouted as she pounded her fist against his shoulder lightly. "Don't tease me."

"If I know I can do this much, I would've done it immediately." He mused as he nuzzled his head on her shoulder.

"To be frank, if you didn't keep your distance, I don't think I will be able to realize the importance of this relationship to me." Devon expressed as she pondered about it. 

Lewis furrowed his brow, drawing back to face her. His actions until now didn't mean for that to happen. He distanced himself for their own sake. 

"At first, it only frustrates me you're distancing yourself. And then again, the more I thought about it, I somehow understood why you're doing it." Devon explained upon seeing the confusion on his face. 

"I might be satisfied with our relationship, but I'll be lying if I say I'm prepared to be in a romantic relationship. However, that is because I am not prepared for my heart to get broken. So, for you to keep a safe distance because you want to honor my decision, and also to secure your heart for the same reason, I understand that."

He stared at her and how she subtly smiled at him. Devon cupped her jaw as she stared at him up close. 

"I'm still not prepared for my heart to get broken, but I want to trust you and just live and love for the moment." Devon smiled, as she had decided. "A certain ghost told me to live this life without regrets. I know I will regret it if I didn't take a leap of faith and trust you."

Her words warmed his heart, as he didn't know she had been thinking like this. More than that, he felt ashamed that what he had been doing thus far was to run away.

"I feel like a coward…" He murmured along with a deep sigh. 

"Pardon?" Devon raised her brows when he also cupped her jaw.

"Words are not enough, but I will say it either way aside from proving it to you with my actions." His thumb caressed her jaw, staring at her lovingly as what happened tonight was something he didn't expect.

"I will take care of you, dote on you, cherish you, and won't do anything that will hurt you. I swear with my life that the only pain your heart will feel was the pain from overwhelming happiness."

Devon pouted as she teased. "This sounds like a marriage vow."

"What's wrong about it?" Lewis raised a brow as she tilted his head to the side. "Just tell me if you want to be the luckiest girl, and I will make you one." 

"Tss. Silly." Devon chuckled as shook her head, pushing his shoulder lightly, but Lewis suddenly grabbed her wrist and stilled them.

"I mean it, babe," he said in a solemn tone. "Right now, the woman I'm looking at is the woman I see myself spending the rest of my life with. If I can ask for your hand in marriage right now, I would, but I'm not as shallow as to propose without preparations or knowing you're not ready yet."

"Lu…" 

Lewis offered her a gentle smile as he placed his hand on the back of her head, guiding it down until her forehead rested against his. He closed his eyes, taking deep breaths.

"So, I want you to think like that as well," He uttered huskily. "If you don't see or imagine your future with me, tell me now."

Devon slowly closed her eyes as his resolution warmed up her heart.

"If not you, who else should I imagine spending the rest of my life with?" She chuckled while he smiled happily at her answer.

The night was filled with giggles, cuddling, hugs, smiles, and just sweet kisses.. They did nothing deeper than that, but the intimacy they shared was enough to fill their hearts.