Is this destiny?

In Masika's room…

Masika caught a moment when everyone was busy with something and not paying attention to the birthday girl (aka Masika). She tugged Zack to the side, and they sneaked into her room.

"You don't think that they will notice that you are missing?" Zack asked Masika when he took a seat on the sofa.

"I don't care." She said stubbornly. "It's my birthday, so I should be able to do whatever I want."

"And you want to be in your room, with me?"

Masika flashed a smile and hopped onto his lap. "I said that I want to kiss you, and you said that we need privacy, so…"

Masika's hands snaked around Zack's neck, and she was confident that she never tasted anything so addictive as Zack's flavor. He promised to kiss her until she had enough, and she wondered if he would make such a promise if he knew that it's never enough.

Zack did his best to keep his hands on Masika's back. He felt the curves of her waist, and the thin fabric of the dress allowed him to feel the grooves of her bra, and it was more stimulating than he thought it will be. Everything about Masika is more than what he thought initially. She is amazing.

Zack has no idea at what point they moved from the sofa to Masika's bed.

They held each other and kissed, and the temperature was increasing by the minute. The fact that she is wearing a dress made his urge to devour her swell.

Masika's hands made their way under this shirt and roamed over the muscular landscape of his back.

Zack is strong, and firm, and gentle, and Masika truly wanted to experience going further with him... to feel that intimate touch everyone is talking about like something out of this world. Because kissing and hugging feels amazing, and she wants to know how much better it can get.

Zack was aware that he is attracted to Masika, and that she is an amazing young lady, shining brighter than any other, but he didn't know that she would be this sweet and welcoming. She didn't object, no matter what he did, and that made it very difficult for Zack to put the breaks on.

Zack broke the kissing frenzy and leaned his forehead on Masika's.

"Why did you stop?" Masika asked breathlessly.

"I… I should go." Zack said with difficulty.

"I still didn't have my fill of your kisses."

Zack smiled. He likes that Masika said that despite her embarrassment. "Masika, I'm not sure for how long I can do this and not go beyond kissing. My struggle to stay within the line of decency is getting harder by the minute."

"What if I want to go beyond kissing?" Masika whispered.

Zack's whole body shook. Doesn't she know how those words are affecting him when he is already aroused beyond sanity?

He caressed her cheek gently while ignoring the pressure in his groin area. "Masika, I know the feeling, trust me. Today I got to tell you that I like you, and I confirmed that you like me as well. I want to cherish every minute with you and not rush things."

"I don't want you to cherish me. You did that for the last three years. I want you to love me, how a man loves a woman."

Zack was surprised by this statement. In a way, she is right but at the same time, it felt wrong as well. Part of him still saw her as a little girl who three years ago sniped enemies with a rifle from the hill, when she saved his life. At that time, the rifle seemed bigger than she was.

Masika felt that his hold on her is getting weaker, and that was not what she wanted. She is eighteen years old, and for the last two years, she is watching him and wondering if he will ever see her as a woman. They are dating, alone, the mood is right. Or is it? Why does he want to stop and leave? Is she still not good enough? How much she heard, guys would never pass on an opportunity to be intimate with a girl, unless they are not interested. Is it possible that he is not interested in going beyond kissing? 

"Zack?" 

Her call pulled him out of his thoughts. "Yes?"

"When you said that you like me, you meant that you like me how a man likes a woman. Right?" Masika asked reluctantly.

"Yes."

"Show me. I am waiting for a long time for you to show me what that means." Masika saw that Zack is conflicted, and she thought of another tactic. "I understand if you are not willing. Maybe I can find someone else."

Zack frowned. "What?"

Masika shrugged. "I told you that I'm waiting for you for a long time. If even after all this, you are still not willing to treat me as a woman, maybe I should stop waiting. Albert wanted to take me out, I have a feeling that he would have no problems going beyond kissing." 

Masika saw that Zack's expression is not good and she wondered if she crossed the line. But she said it and she can't take it back.

Zack's frown deepened. The thought of some random guy kissing Masika (and more) was horrible to bear. But a part of Zack knew how that is not the Masika he knows, and there is only one explanation… "Are you trying to make me jealous?"

Masika's eyes widened. Why did he figure it out so quickly? Zack is smart, no wonder Sophia said that he is capable of replacing her as a strategist. Well, he asked a question, and she can't lie. "Is it working?"

Zack paused. He got the tip of her nose between his index finger and a thumb and gave it a gentle twist. "Don't play like that. You have no idea how I feel at the thought of you being with someone else, even if I know that it's not true and you are only trying to provoke me."

Masika hugged him tightly and buried her face in his neck. "I'm sorry, Zack. You know that there was no one other than you. Ever. Since the beginning, I liked being around you, and slowly I realized that I like you. You are smart, and reliable, and caring, and patient, and no other guy can compare to you in my eyes. I knew that you are waiting for me to grow up, and at some point, I wondered, how long will that be? What if I'm never good enough? What if you find someone else? I saw at the basecamp and at the Chaos nightclub a number of women looking your way, they are curvier and more mature than I am… will I ever compare to them? What if you fall for one of them and forget about me?"

Zack listened to Masika opening up to him and he had a mix of emotions. His heart swelled at her confession, and at the same time, his heart ached when he heard how insecure she is.

Zack touched her chin, to lift her head, and kissed her on the lips. "Masika… There is a reason why I waited for you to grow up. From day one, I realized that you are special, better than any other girl, and in time, I became aware that I am greedy and that I want you for myself. But you were too young, and I feared that the strength of my emotions might scare you. If I told you then that I want to hug you to sleep every night and kiss your eyes awake every morning, and never let go of you… you would push me away. Even now, I'm not sure if you are ready for such a commitment, with me. For me, there is no one else... only you."

Masika smiled, settled her head on his shoulder, and took a deep breath.

"Never let go of me…" She repeated his words.

Zack could not see her face because it was hidden, but he knew that she is smiling. 

"I will never let go…" He murmured and kissed the top of her head.

They held each other in silence for some time, and then Zack realized that Masika's breathing is slow and steady. Silly girl, she slept off… just like that.

Zack was in a predicament. He should leave, but he does not want to wake up Masika. He decided to stay put, because soon she will move on her own to adjust her position, and then he can leave without disturbing her sleep. In the meantime, he will enjoy holding her. Zack waited, and waited while listening to her steady breathing and inhaling her scent… and then he slept off as well.

---

If you are not reading this at 'W e b n o v e l .. c o m', then the content you're reading is stolen! Please support the author by reading this novel from the original source.