PRINCESS
The next day, the rain was still pounding hard against the roof, and the flood outside showed no sign of receding. The streets were transformed into murky rivers, and the sky remained a dull, unyielding gray. Inside the shop, the atmosphere was warm and cozy, a stark contrast to the chaos outside.
CJ and I stood by the window, watching the scene unfold. The kids from the neighborhood were making the most of the situation, swimming and splashing in the dirty floodwater. Despite the grime, their laughter was infectious.
"Look at them," CJ chuckled, pointing at a boy who had just executed a dramatic dive into the water. "They're having the time of their lives."
I laughed, shaking my head. "It's amazing how they can find joy in the simplest things, even in this mess."
We stood there for a while, just enjoying the moment. The rain created a rhythmic backdrop, and the kids' laughter added a lighthearted touch to the gloomy day. It was one of those rare instances where everything felt right, despite the circumstances.
Suddenly, a loud crash came from the back of the shop. We both jumped, startled out of our peaceful reverie.
"What was that?" I asked, my heart racing.
CJ raised an eyebrow. "Maybe it's a flood monster. You know, the kind that sneaks into shops during storms."
I rolled my eyes but couldn't help but smile. "Very funny. Let's go check it out."
We made our way to the back, and as we entered the storage room, we the neighbor's cat, perched on a stack of boxes, looking thoroughly unimpressed.
"Hey, what did you do?" I asked, hands on my hips.
The cat stared at me with an expression that clearly said, "This is your fault, human." She had knocked over a small shelf in her attempt to find a dry spot.
CJ laughed. "Looks like she’s the flood monster."
I sighed, shaking my head. "Yeah, and she's a real terror."
We set about cleaning up the mess, and as we worked, I couldn't help but notice how naturally CJ fit into the scene. It was as if he'd always been part of my life, helping me navigate the little disasters that came our way.
Once we had the room back in order, we returned to the front of the shop. The rain was still coming down hard, but the kids were now playing a new game, using makeshift boats crafted from whatever floatable materials they could find. One particularly inventive child had fashioned a raft out of empty plastic bottles and was paddling around triumphantly.
"That kid is going places," CJ remarked, nodding in approval.
I laughed. "Yeah, straight to the Olympics, if he keeps this up."
The hours passed, and as the day wore on, we found ourselves sharing stories and laughing about the absurdity of the situation. CJ told me about the time he tried to impress a girl by pretending to be a skilled surfer, only to wipe out spectacularly in front of her and half the beach.
"I think she was more impressed with the lifeguard who had to save me," he said, grinning sheepishly.
I laughed so hard I nearly fell off my stool. "That's one way to make a lasting impression."
We continued to joke and banter, the storm outside becoming less of a threat and more of a backdrop to our unexpected bonding. Despite the weather, I found myself enjoying the day more than I had in a long time.
After a while, I turned my gaze from the window to CJ. He was still watching the kids, a soft smile on his face. There was something different about him today, something that made my heart feel lighter. Maybe it was the way he seemed so at ease, or the way his eyes sparkled with genuine amusement.
I didn't say anything. Instead, I reached out and gently touched his arm. He looked at me, his eyes questioning. I smiled and, without overthinking it, leaned in to kiss him on the side of his lips.
CJ's eyes widened in surprise, but he didn't pull away. If anything, he seemed frozen, as if processing what had just happened. I could see the wheels turning in his mind, and I waited, my heart pounding in my chest.
Then, slowly, he reached out, his hand cupping my face. His touch was warm and gentle, sending a shiver down my spine. He leaned in closer, his breath hot against my skin.
"Can I kiss you?" he whispered, his voice low and husky. The intensity in his eyes made my heart race even faster.
For a moment, I couldn't find my voice. All I could do was nod, my eyes never leaving his.
That was all the permission he needed. He closed the distance between us, his lips capturing mine in a kiss that was both tender and passionate. It felt like the world had stopped, and all that mattered was this moment, this connection.
His kiss was everything I had imagined and more. It was filled with a longing that mirrored my own, a need that had been simmering beneath the surface for far too long. His hands moved to my waist, pulling me closer, and I melted into him, losing myself in the sensation.
When we finally pulled away, we were both breathless. He rested his forehead against mine, his eyes closed, a contented smile playing on his lips.
"Wow," he murmured, his voice barely audible. "That was... wow."
I laughed softly, my fingers tracing the line of his jaw. "Yeah, it was."
We stood there for a while, just holding each other, the rain continuing its relentless assault outside. In that moment, everything felt perfect. The chaos, the uncertainty, the flood—it all faded into the background. All that mattered was us, and the promise of what could be.
As the intensity of the moment settled, CJ glanced down at the cat. The cat had been watching us from her perch on the boxes with an almost regal disinterest.
"Well, it looks like it's watching us-- hey, cat," he said, his voice taking on a playful, yet sultry tone, "do I have your permission to kiss your lovely human again?"
The cat blinked slowly, as if considering the request. Her tail flicked lazily, and she gave a soft, approving meow.
CJ grinned, looking back at me. "I'll take that as a yes."
His hands moved up my sides, fingers trailing lightly, sending shivers through me despite the warmth inside the shop. He leaned in again, this time more confidently, his lips finding mine with a sense of purpose. The kiss deepened, becoming more fervent. His hands slid into my hair, tilting my head back slightly to grant him better access.
CJ's kisses were like a drug, each one more intoxicating than the last. He knew exactly what he was doing, every movement deliberate and skilled. His tongue teased my lips, coaxing them apart, and when our lips met again, it was like an electric current running through my body.
He pulled me even closer, our bodies pressed together as the passion between us surged. His hands roamed my back, occasionally gripping my hips to pull me tighter against him. My fingers tangled in his hair, holding him to me as if I was afraid he might disappear.
Eventually, we broke apart, both of us gasping for air. CJ's forehead rested against mine, his breath hot and ragged against my lips.
"Damn," he muttered, his voice thick with desire. "You have no idea how long I've wanted to do that."
In that moment, everything felt perfect. The chaos, the uncertainty, the flood—it all faded into the background. All that mattered was us, and the promise of what could be.
For the first time in a long time, I felt hopeful. And as I looked into CJ's eyes, I knew he felt the same.
But deep down...
Deep down,
I am still scared.
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