Chapter 23

We stared at each other for an odd way. The swirl of emotion I saw in his eyes made me gasp. However, before I could ponder about it, he smiled and before I knew it, his hands were resting below my ear and his thumb gently caressing my cheek. I couldn't stop myself from staring in his eyes. We weren't kissing but sometimes just looking in his enchanting blue eyes was enough to make me lose my mind.

Finally, his lips touched mine. I automatically closed my eyes to enjoy the feeling of his lips on mine. Sparks flew in every direction, and nothing else seemed to matter, the world around us disappearing slowly. Kissing him made me forget about all the problems in my life and how much pain I've been through. The only thing that mattered was being here with him.

This was by far the best kiss I've ever had in my life, and yet it was a soft kiss. Our lips were moving in perfect sync; I placed my hands on his shoulder and pulled him closer. It was a good minute before we finally broke away for air. Without pulling away, he rested his forehead on mine. I slowly opened my eyes and lifted my head to look in his.

The colour was so intense my pulse started racing. Did I do that?

We just stood there, staring at each other. Frankly, I was too afraid to talk. What if he regrets kissing me again?

What if I am a terrible kisser?

What if tasted like Cheetos?

What if?

"You're overthinking." He whispered.

I blushed and looked down at his chest.

I didn't know what to say.

Valdo and I kissed.

We kissed.

Valdo kissed me on the lips and with tongue. He said he wanted to kiss me and he did. With my permission!

"Stop thinking so much." He whispered again.

"I can't help it," I whispered in reply. I had to think about the kiss, what's going to happen after this? There is no way we can ignore that it happened. There is no way we ignore that we have some sort of feelings going on. At least I did.

I don't know exactly what I am feeling. Is it gratitude? or Is it something stronger?

He took a step from me, "I guess it's time for us to talk."

It's never good when someone wants to 'talk' but I nod my head anyway.

"Let's have a seat on the bed," he held on to my left hand then pulled me towards the bed. He sat down then pulled me down to sit beside him.

He took a deep breath. I look down at my hands to avoid the intensity of his beautiful eyes and to avoid the possibility of rejection.

"So here's the thing," he paused for a few seconds, I guess he was trying to find the right words to use. He took a deep breath, then said, "I like you. I like you a lot, and I would like to get to know you better." He took another deep breathe, "Basically what I'm trying to say is that I'd like to date you. I'll understand if you don't like me that way, it won't change how I feel about you. "

I lifted my eyes to meet his own, did he really say what I heard? Did he say he liked me? That he wants to date me? He wants to get to know me.

Pinch me because I must be dreaming.

"Ouch!" I cringed and placed my hands on my arms.

"You said that out loud." he voiced with a smile.

I chuckled. So apparently I'm not dreaming, and this is 100% real. Uvaldo Dakoda just told me he liked me, a lot. The not so strange thing about it was that I felt the same exact way. It wasn't just gratitude I felt towards him. If it were then I wouldn't find him so attractive, I wouldn't be mesmerised every time I stared into his eyes. My pulse wouldn't race every time I saw him. My heart wouldn't warm when I see him holding Jamaica in his arms. I've never felt so loved and cared for until he walked into my life. This was definitely not gratitude; it was feelings. I liked him a lot.

I looked into his blue eyes and smile, "I like you too, Valdo. You're the most generous person I've ever met in my life. You've given me hope for a better future. You've opened my eyes to a lot of things, and so yes, I want to get to know you more too. I want to go on dates with you." I chuckled, "I'd like to date you."

He grinned and lifted my hands to his lips. He kissed them gently then place them back in my lap. "Thank you."

I shook my head, "No, thank you. "This past month has been an eye-opener for me. I've met some amazing people who've shown me nothing but love, and it's all because of you. For a long time, I was lost, and then I found you."

"Technically, I found you."

I nodded and laughed, "Yes, sorry. You found me, and ever since then, my life has been filled with happiness." I smiled. "I want that to continue, and I know it will if I stick with you."

He lifted his hands and ran it through my dark hair. "This past month is just the touch of the surface of how happy I can make you."

"Are you saying I can be happier than this?"

He nodded. "Definitely."

I smiled and hugged him. "Thank you." I sighed into his neck, "For a minute, I thought you were going to say that you regret kissing me."

He pulled me away and shook his head, "I've wanted to kiss you from the first time I saw you."

I blushed his words, "Are you serious?"

He nodded.

"But I was pregnant, weighed a tonne." And let's not forget homeless.

"That didn't matter. One look at you and I was blown away. But I held back; I knew you weren't ready and you're probably still not ready. But I have wanted you from the very first moment I saw you."'

The look on his face took my breath away, so I had to ask. "Is that why you helped me?"

"No, I would have helped anyone in your situation." He paused for a second then continued, "To be 100% honest, I wouldn't have made them live with me. But I found myself asking you to live with me, giving you my address. I surprised myself. You're an exceptional woman." My heart swelled. I wasn't quite sure what to say. I knew he wouldn't just invite any woman to live with him, but I didn't know why he did, until now. "I hope I haven't scared you."

I shook my head, "No, not at all."

"Good."

We stayed silent until I was confident enough to speak again, "So does this mean, you're my boyfriend?"

He laughed and nodded, "Yes, I'm your boyfriend, and you're my girlfriend."

I giggled like a high school girl. "I feel like I'm in high school again."

"High school romance is never serious, but this, this that we are about to begin is 100% serious."

I felt chills as he spoke those words. He was right. My relationship with William was never serious. He pretended he liked me when he was really after sex. The way he treated me after I told him about my pregnancy was proof enough. He never cared about me. I should have realised that he was only using me, but I was blinded by his false 'I love you' so I gave him what he wanted, in contrast to Valdo, who has done everything to prove that he does care and that he wants me. Not once had he forced himself on me sexually.

"I'm putting 100% in this relationship, and I hope you can too as well." He looked at me seriously.

I swallowed the build-up saliva and nodded, "Yes, I will. It's going to be hard, but I'll try my best."

He smiled, "I think I've kept you up long enough. It's almost midnight."

"Oh!" I was surprised; I didn't know it so late. "I guess it's goodnight then."

"Yea, but since you're my girlfriend now. I'd rather you give me a goodnight kiss."

I blushed at his words and bent my head. I've never initiated a kiss before. I licked my lips then look back into his beautiful eyes. I laughed, "I've never done this before."

He raised his eyebrows, "You've never initiate kiss?"

I shook my head. I was never motivated to kiss William first. He's always the one fling himself on me. But it's different with Valdo, I wanted to kiss him, but I'm not brave enough. What if it's terrible?

"You're overthinking again. All you have to do is lean in and place your lips on mine; the rest comes naturally."

With my heart beating a mile a minute, I slowly placed my right hand on his shoulder and the left one on his face then I placed my lips on his. He reacted immediately and started kissing me. The kiss was slow and sweet. It didn't last as long as the first one. Valdo pulled away and stood from the bed. He placed a kiss on my forehead. "Goodnight."

I replied, "Goodnight."

When he reached the door, he said "Sweet Dreams" before leaving.

I laid on the bed and looked at the ceiling with a smile on my face.

Of course, my dreams will be sweet with you roaming in them.