"A kiss is a lovely trick designed by nature to stop speech when words become superfluous." ~ Ingrid Bergman

• • •

The next few weeks pass by in a blur. I've been noticing Eliza giving Abel longing looks when she thinks I'm not looking. Things are sort of strained between us but I'm not sure how to change that since Abel and I are a thing? We're not even dating, I don't know what actually is going on between us.  I know he likes me so when is he going to ask me out? Maybe I'm over thinking.

Since Abel's and I's English presentation is due next week, we decided to go to his house to put the finishing touches on it as it's Friday. My mum thinks I'm going to Rolos. Ha-ha, lying isn't fun.

At the end of the school day, I walk to Abel's car to wait for him. So focused on scrolling through my phone, I don't notice Abel reach my side.

He leans close to me. "Brown eyes."

Out of instinct, I punch him right in the face.

"Ow!" He Shouts.

"Oh, my goodness, I'm so sorry! But in my defence, you shouldn't have snuck up on me like that." I say with my arms on my hips.

"How is this my fault!"

"If you had walked up to me like a normal person Abel, I wouldn't have gotten scared and hit you. Lesson learnt at least." I pick up my bag and go to sit in the passenger seat.

Abel stares at me for a second before walking to the other side, his hand still cradling his jaw.

Once he's inside, Abel speaks up. "You're hard work Keziah."

"No, I'm not, you just can't handle all this." I say gesturing to my whole body.

Abel's eyes rake my body from head to toe before licking his lips and looking up to meet my eyes. That's when I notice his eyes have gone a shade darker with desire.

My body flames with heat and I cough from embarrassment. Abel shakes his head to clear his mind before smiling sheepishly at me and driving off.

After a couple minutes of silence, I decide to say something.

"I really am sorry about hitting you. Your face is kind of turning purple from a bruise." I say guiltily.

Abel chuckles. "It's alright, I just won't be sneaking up on you any time soon. Where'd you learn to punch like that anyway?"

"My dad made me take self defence classes like a year or so ago. You should probably ice that when we get to your house."

"I will. So, I just want to warn you about my family...there's quite a lot of us. You'll see."

I look at him in confusion for a second before admiring his appearance. Even with the bruise on his jaw, he's still the most attractive person I've ever seen. I love the way his hair falls in his eyes forcing him to push it out the way. He has a strong aristocratic nose with full, plump and pink lips that curve into a beautiful yet cheeky smile. The number of times I've dreamt about kissing them. On top of that, I can't get over the way his deep blue eyes shine with happiness and mischief. How when he looks at me, they sparkle with joy as if I'm his world. How they darken with desire when he likes how I look at that point. How they display every single emotion he's feeling. Most of all, I love how they're always focused on me. Wow I'm obsessed.

"I can feel you staring Brown eyes." He says with a smirk.

I decide to be bold. "And so what if I am?"

"I enjoy having your eyes on me beautiful." He retorts with a quick glance in my direction.

I giggle out loud. Wait, I giggled? Oh boy.

"Did you just giggle?" Abel asks while holding his laughter.

"Shut up! It's your fault!"

"My fault again? I suppose I can't help how flustered you get around me."

I huff and cross my arms.

"Don't worry Brown eyes, I found it adorable." That brings a small smile to my face.

"We're here Keziah."

Looking outside, I focus on the large two storey house in front of me. On both sides of the door are two spiral pillars that seem like they're holding the house up. Lush green moss and vines snake up the sides of building giving it a kind of historic look. A porch swing that looks like it could sit three people sits in front of the house with several toys scattered around it. The front lawn is covered with colourful flowers making it seem more inviting.

Getting out of the car, Abel places his hand on the small of my back leading me down the concrete pathway. The heat of his hand sleeps through my skin making me feel warm inside.

Reaching the front of the house, Abel unlocks the door and gestures for me to enter first.

"I'm home!" He Shouts extremely loudly.

All of a sudden, I hear several feet running down the stairs and charge towards Abel.

"Abey!" A little girl with brown curly hair exclaims.

Abel picks the little girl up and blows raspberries into her stomach. That was honestly the cutest thing I've ever seen; I'm pretty sure my heart just melted.

Feeling a small tap on my legs, I look down to find an identical looking boy staring up at me with his big brown doe eyes. "Who are you?" He asks softly.

Just as I was about to speak, Abel answers for me. "That's Keziah, I'll introduce her properly once everyone else gets down here."

"Guys!" He yells once again. I'll be lucky if my eardrums stay intact after this. "There's someone I want you to meet!"

Eventually, a large group of people with varying skin tones, enter the room.

"Okay, everyone line up so I can introduce you."

Following Abel's orders, they all stand in a horizontal line facing my direction. Being on the receiving side of several pairs of eyes makes me nervous.

Starting from the left end of the line, the first-person steps forward. "I'm Tristan!"

The next person steps forward. "And I'm Tatianna!" This time, Tristan speaks. "We're twins and we're 6 years old!" I stare at both of them internally awing at how adorable they are. They have a hazel-brown skin tone with chestnut brown curly hair flying in different directions; Tristan's is more like a small Afro while Tatiana's is pushed backwards with a headband.

Next in line is a shy looking girl with porcelain skin. Waves of jet-black hair tumble down her back to the bottom of her waist, swaying with every movement. "I'm Monroe and I'm 9." She whispers softly.

"Jamison. I'm 11." Speaks a blonde headed boy with a skateboard in his hand.

"The names Dellasandro. Zane Dellasandro. And you are?" He asks while kissing my hand. He has skin the colour of chocolate and eyes that look almost black. Around his neck is a pair of bulky headphones with music blaring out loud.

Abel places his hand on Zanes face and pushes him out of the way. "You're 15, don't flirt with her."

Finally, the last person steps forward. This guy is tall, like really really tall. My neck is literally straining from looking up at him. His muscles are also bulging from his clothes; I can practically see the outline of his abs. His skin is the colour of butterscotch making the bright green of his eyes stand out. His lips are set in a straight line while his forehead is creased with irritation. Long story short, he's scary.

He looks me up and down before speaking. "Denzel." Then he walks away.

What crawled up his arse, I wonder.

Finally, I get the chance to talk. "Hey, I'm Keziah." I say with an awkward wave.

"Are you my brothers' friend?" asks Tatiana.

"Yes I am." I respond with a smile.

"Do you like to play dolls? Only Abel plays it with me and he only does it sometimes."

I look towards Abel and find him with a slight pink tint on his caramel skin. "Does he now? Interesting."

"So, you're single right? Because you and me," Says the one I assume to be Zane while pointing to both of us. "Is the only thing I see." 

Before I can reply, Denzel grabs Zane by the ear and pulls him away. "Ouch!" He Shouts.

Suddenly, Abel drags me away and up some carpeted stairs. Walking through the hallway upstairs, I take in the multiple framed pictures of everyone displayed on the wall.

Opening the door to his room, he waves his hand for me to go in first. A king-sized bed is placed in the far right of the navy coloured room and is covered in dark grey sheets. One side of his room has a wall dedicated to awards and pictures of his family and friends. Opposite to his bed is a large plasma screen TV with a PS4 attached as well as light brown guitar. Surprisingly, it isn't the typical mess that boys are associated with, but it's actually relatively clean except from a few shirts laying on some areas of the floor.

"You have an... interesting family." I state with a smile.

Abel scratches the back of his head causing his shirt to ride up and expose a sliver of smooth skin and a small trail of dark hair. Quickly averting my gaze back to his face, I notice his smirk before he speaks. "I tried to warn you Brown eyes. And before you ask, we're all adopted. It's always a shock when people meet my family; there's a lot of confusion and questions so I'm guessing you have some?"

"No not really. I think it's pretty cool."

"Huh. You're the first person to say that. Most of the time I get pitying looks or ridiculous questions. It's nice for a change."

Abel stares at me for a second before taking large steps to stand in front of me. Leaning forward, Abel brushes my hair off my shoulders and just when I think he's about to kiss me, he leans in for a hug.

Ugh, what was I thinking? Of course, he wouldn't kiss me. Do I want him to? Yes. Will I do it though? Absolutely not.

"Um, what's the hug for?" I question.

"Just for being you Keziah."

Once we let go, I suggest we finish our English presentation.

"Okay Abel, you add the last parts to the power point while I make the notes on what we'll say."

When I'm close to completing the notes, I rolled up piece of paper is thrown at my head. Being used to my brother, I ignore it. Unfortunately for me, Abel does it again. And again. And again.

"Is there something you want Abel?" I say through gritted teeth.

"I'm bored Brown Eyes, entertain me."

"I'm trying to focus and you should too."

"But I'm already done." He says while showing me his work.

"Wait really?"

"Yes, so can we watch a movie now?"

"Fine."

Abel pats the space next to him on his bed so I get up from the seat at his desk and walk towards him. Leaving a gap between the both of us, I sit cross legged facing his TV.

"What movie are we watching then?"

"I don't mind. Pick anything you want Brown eyes."

Scanning through his collection of movies, my eyes land on Fast & Furious 7, one of my absolute favourites. "Let's watch this."

"Really? I was thinking you'd pick some chick flick with sobbing and heartbreak."

"Do I look like the type to watch films like that? Movies like The Notebook are so overrated and it's boring anyway."

Abel stares at me in what looks like surprise before putting it on. Once it starts, I notice him shifting closer to me and place his arm around my shoulders. I stiffen for a second before leaning my head on his chest.

We get to the scene where Roman is causing a distraction at the party when Abel talks. "I like this." He says.

I look up at him and find his beautiful blue eyes already gazing down at me. I feel myself heat up at his undivided attention but manage to reply. "What do you mean?"

"Us, like this. Together."

Instead of responding, I smile at him.

With our eyes locked on one another, I watch his flick downwards to my lips before looking at me once again. My heart begins to pound furiously, knowing the possibility of what could happen next.

Abel cradles my face in his hands and rubs his thumb over my cheek. My lips part from shock encouraging Abel to trace them with his fingers. Slowly, Abel begins to lean down while I'm frozen in surprise. Teasingly, Abel brushes his lips against mine once, twice building the anticipation. All of a sudden, his warm lips are on mine gently applying pressure. After my initial feeling of astonishment passes, I finally kiss him back. His lips feel like Heaven against mine; soft and a perfect fit to me. I wrap my arms around his neck pulling him impossibly closer and kiss him with confidence I never knew I had. Abel removes his hands from my face and places them on my hips before lifting me up to straddle him all without removing his lips from mine. Boldly, I run my hands through his curly locks tugging slightly causing him to let out a small moan. The gruff sound sends heat through my body making me feel like I'm on fire. Abel bites my bottom lip slightly before running his tongue over it in a soothing manor. I gasp lightly from the pleasure it brings allowing Abel entrance to entangle our tongues.

He explores my mouth fully before focusing on tracing his lips down my jaw and down my neck leaving a small trail of kisses behind. I tug on his hair once again making him moan even louder while he sucks at the skin between my neck and shoulder. My breathing becomes intense and laboured so I gently pry Abel off me causing him to place our heads against one another. Our breaths mingle together from the passionate kiss we shared before Abel opens his eyes to stare into mine. At this close of a range, I can see how his pupils have turned a shade darker and the small beauty spot slightly hidden by his eyebrows. I can almost count each lash that frames his eyes perfectly. I can see the full shape of his plump and soft lips enticing me once more.

After we've caught our breaths, I speak up. "That was..."

"Amazing." He finishes for me. "Your lips Keziah. I don't think I can get enough of them. And the sounds you make.."

"I do not make sounds!" I whisper-shout while looking down.

"Don't do that."

"Do what?" I ask.

"Look away from me as if you have something to be ashamed of. I like those sounds; as long as they're reserved for me." He states.

"Stoppp. You're making me feel shy." I say timidly.

"After that kiss we shared you're shy? I didn't know you had that in you. I should've done it earlier." He says smugly.

I push him away and hit him on the chest. "You're so annoying."

I go to climb off his lap but he stops me by pulling me closer. "I don't want to move yet. I like how this feels."

Sighing, I rest my head in the crook of his neck as a wave of contentment washes over me. "Me too."

                                • • •

A/N:

The first kiss!!

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