SheLuvsMusic
Senior Member
Peter wasn't sure that he was the entire reason the girls were home. It just so happened that they had caught a lucky break. If Nora hadn't shown up when she did, things probably would have gone differently, even if he'd tried to step in. That night still haunted him for many reasons, but Ella had played her own role as well. She was just as responsible for them getting home as she believed he was. "You flatter me," he said. "But I did have help. And maybe it's me who should be thanking you for convincing me to leave that ship..." He doubted he would have on his own, but she'd given him a reason to whether she realized it or not.
He was looking forward to many new experiences. He wasn't sure a life of luxury was what he wanted, but he could dip his toes in for a little while. The thought of riding a horse caught him off guard. He hadn't had horses growing up, and it wasn't like there was a need for horses on the pirate ship. His father was a fisherman, not a farmer, and most other people had no reason to own horses either unless they had money. Like Ella's family did. "No," he admitted. "But I'm willing to have you teach me."
They stood there for a while in silence just looking at each other and Peter willing to walk her to the door. But she wasn't moving, and neither was he. He was hyper aware of the way she didn't take her hand out of his, and he didn't bother to either. And then she caught him entirely by surprise by suggesting he do exactly what he'd just imagined doing a moment before. He hadn't planned on actually doing it. He didn't want to hurt her again, and he wasn't sure if she'd want him to. They hadn't defined their relationship, and this was different because they hadn't been drinking. There could be no excuses this time around if somebody ended up hurt or he embarrassed himself by going for it when she didn't want him to. But now she was asking, which meant she was giving him her permission. He could, if he really wanted to. And he found himself wanting to.
With one of his hands still in hers, he brought his free one up to cup her cheek. She still felt warm to him, but not as warm as before. He liked to think it was less to do with her fever and more to do with the anticipation of the kiss. He felt his own face flush with nerves, and he wasn't sure why. He'd never been embarrassed or nervous about kissing a woman before, except for maybe the first time. But this was different. They were sober, and he genuinely liked her. It wasn't lust he was feeling, but something else. He liked it, even if it made him feel strange.
Slowly he leaned in and brushed his lips gently against hers.
He was looking forward to many new experiences. He wasn't sure a life of luxury was what he wanted, but he could dip his toes in for a little while. The thought of riding a horse caught him off guard. He hadn't had horses growing up, and it wasn't like there was a need for horses on the pirate ship. His father was a fisherman, not a farmer, and most other people had no reason to own horses either unless they had money. Like Ella's family did. "No," he admitted. "But I'm willing to have you teach me."
They stood there for a while in silence just looking at each other and Peter willing to walk her to the door. But she wasn't moving, and neither was he. He was hyper aware of the way she didn't take her hand out of his, and he didn't bother to either. And then she caught him entirely by surprise by suggesting he do exactly what he'd just imagined doing a moment before. He hadn't planned on actually doing it. He didn't want to hurt her again, and he wasn't sure if she'd want him to. They hadn't defined their relationship, and this was different because they hadn't been drinking. There could be no excuses this time around if somebody ended up hurt or he embarrassed himself by going for it when she didn't want him to. But now she was asking, which meant she was giving him her permission. He could, if he really wanted to. And he found himself wanting to.
With one of his hands still in hers, he brought his free one up to cup her cheek. She still felt warm to him, but not as warm as before. He liked to think it was less to do with her fever and more to do with the anticipation of the kiss. He felt his own face flush with nerves, and he wasn't sure why. He'd never been embarrassed or nervous about kissing a woman before, except for maybe the first time. But this was different. They were sober, and he genuinely liked her. It wasn't lust he was feeling, but something else. He liked it, even if it made him feel strange.
Slowly he leaned in and brushed his lips gently against hers.