The First Real Kiss

Nina Carter

A phoney kiss is not like a genuine one.

I just now started to comprehend.

Between two storms, caught in a conflict I helped start.

With his wild, angry glare and cutting words, Jake demanded things he had no right to ask for.

As I attempted to flee from the past like a wall separating us and myself too, Enzo's cool, unbroken face seemed to reflect me.

I stood in between them, the flames.

And someone was going to burn.

The air shuttered with something explosive and harsh.

Jake moved lightly forward, staring at Enzo.

He continued, voice low, "You don't belong here, Knight."

Enzo turned his head, breathed loudly, completely unconcerned. About you, "Fun," I was ready to say the same.

Jake clinched his teeth; his whole body twisted in pain.

"Stays apart from this."

Enzo observed, "See, that's where we have a problem," said the approaching closer. "Because you do not get to show up at her house, start claiming, and expect me to just watch."

Jake has glitter in his eyes. You show her no regard.

Enzo's sarcastic approach disappeared.

And I saw something raw, something unspoken, something terrible in his eyes—something different from anything else since this whole affair began.

"You sure about that?" he murmured.

My catch of inhaling.

I too lacked conviction for a split second.

But Jake swung first before I could speak or interpret the glare in Enzo's eyes.

Before Jake's fist locked with Enzo's jaw, I hardly had time to blink.

The output produced a terrible fracture across the atmosphere.

Enzo lunched back, his head slanted to the side, his lips slightly parted differently than he had thought.

suddenly, though—he smiled.

a slow, deadly grin with jagged edges.

Quietly, he observed, "That all you got?"

He swung back then as well.

I hardly had time to mention their names before they started fighting.

Fishes. Form; shapes Less curse.

Their discussion was about more than just me; the sound of gravel below hinted more.

Like it was about everything they had never discussed.

And maybe it was as well.

He glanced at me since panting blood came from his lip when Enzo at finally pushed Jake back.

And I went through it all.

Jake's breath was labouring; his eyes wild with wrath and something more.

He wiped his lips, his facial expression unknown.

Then he looked at me.

"You still love me, Nina," he continued, his voice low yet precise like a knife.

I pushed back with tremendous force. " You not get to tell me how I feel."

His teeth closed firmly. Show it then. I recognised also his intended meaning.

Right now, just right now—I was choosing.

Jake. Enzo, alternatively.

past.

Rather something I still don't know about yet.

My heart thumping against my ribs, I inhaled slowly.

I turned then to look at Enzo.

Jake started to have different posture.

I could let me look right through.

The second I turned looked at Enzo, actually fixed on him, something inside caught.

I kissed him before I could slow down.

Not a kiss meant for eye appeal here.

It was not about exacting retribution, about winning, about encouraging envy of someone else.

That was exactly true.

And the second Enzo too understood that.

He let go of holding back.

His hands went into my hair, tipped my head, and sharpened the kiss as if he were pushing me to feel remorse.

lost.

For Enzo kissed differently than Jake did.

Her life had seen Jake experience heat and ancient memories.

Enzo was without a doubt fire.

His lips were gentle but strong; his fingers tightened around my waist as if he were claiming me instead of just kissing me.

And I allowed him as well.

Since for once in my life I wanted to be claimed.

By the time we broke apart, my lips were swollen and I was having trouble breathing.

Enzo's eyes flared black and sinisterly.

In accordance with his expertise.

Like he just received something Jake could never have.

And when I finally turned around—Jake was gone.

The only indication he had seen there.

The thunderous roar of his car along the street.

And the struggle resembled that—not at all peaceful.

Overall speaking.

And I had just chosen on a side.

I ought to have been thinking of myself as a winner.

I ought to have felt as if I had at last made the proper choice.

But while I stood there, my body still burned from Enzo's touch and my heart still hammered. I knew something horrible.

The game hadn't finished this location.

This was just starting to build steam.

And I questioned my own tolerance.