Pretend Engagement – 19

Her first kiss. And it had been the most delicious experience. The way his mouth moved over hers. The soft and gentle manner he’d opened her lips, and slipped his tongue inside to meet her own.

The uncontrollable way her body had trembled, and her throat had moaned with words that came out only as sounds.

Ah, she wanted more. No, she craved more of his kisses, Callista thought, dressing with more care than she’d ever done for their outing. He wanted to take her to Asaba.

A Christmas date, he’d called it. She hoped he would find a secluded spot like he’d done two evenings ago, so he could kiss her. Or if he didn’t, he could kiss her anywhere. She didn’t care where, so long as he kissed her again.

The thrill of the uninhibited thought made her chuckle as she found the purse that matched the heeled sandals she had on, slipped her debit card and phone into it, and stepped out of her bedroom.

He was in the living room, waiting for her.

“You look amazing,” he said, his gaze caressing as it roamed over her.

Warmth spread through her. “Thank you. You look nice yourself.”

“This one you’re looking at our sister as if you want to eat her up, I hope we can trust you to bring her back home safe,” Ikechukwu said jovially.

“You can be certain of it.” Mario took hold of her hand. “I’ll never let any harm come to Cally.”

“Such a serious promise. It makes me wonder if we should believe the stories we’ve been hearing.” Stretched out on the couch, Azuka lowered the phone to peer at Mario. “The story is that you’re talking of marrying our Cally.”

“And it’s just a story until I say yes,” Callista said, and pulled Mario towards the door. “We’re leaving. I’m sure you two will go out later, so don’t forget to properly secure the doors.”

“We don’t need you to remind us how to lock doors. And see that you get home before nine.”

“I’ll get home when I do. I don’t have a curfew,” Callista snapped, shooting Azuka a glare.

“Don’t scowl so,” Mario counselled as they got in the car. “He’s only be a big brother.”

“He’s an annoying brother,” Callista muttered. Then she relaxed and smiled, not wanting anything to ruin their date. “Merry Christmas. Have I said it before?”

“You have. But I don’t mind hearing it again from you. Merry Christmas, Cally.” He lifted her hand to his lips, kissing it gently. “If your brothers weren’t home, I would have kissed you when you came out. You’re a Christmas beauty today.”

“I am?” She laughed, tremulously because she was wishing for that kiss. “It must be my new dress. It’s a Christmas dress, you know.”

“Little girl. You still indulge in Christmas clothes, I see.”

“It’s a tradition I refuse to outgrow. What’s Christmas and New Year celebrations without new wears and a new look?”

“Which is why I called you little girl, for that is the thinking of children,” Mario said, then laughed when she stuck out her tongue at him. “Meanwhile, I got you a present.” He reached between their seats, took a paper bag and passed it to her. “Not because he bought one. But because you deserve one without any strings attached.”

Confused by his statement, Callista stared at him. “I don’t understand.”

“You will when you open your present.”

Eager, she pulled out the package in the bag. And her eyes widened at the brand new Huawei smartphone. “You bought me a phone?”

“I hope you will accept it,” Mario said softly. “I wanted to do it because you–everyone really–should be given gifts without conditions. It’s yours, you don’t have to do a thing to earn it. Or, keep it.”

“It’s beautiful.” But she was looking at him, not at the phone. “Thank you so much. Not only for the phone. But more for your heart’s intention. It makes it even more valuable.”

“Thank you for accepting it.”

“It would have been tough to resist it.” She forced her gaze away from him to the phone. “My phone’s in a sorry state.”

“Then discard it and befriend your new one. I had it fully charged last night.”

Chuckling, she did just that, switching her Sim cards to the new phone. “I am having the best Christmas. New clothes, new look, and now a brand new phone. There’s too the most important gift–a new man in my life,” she added, unable to stop the tingle which slid through her.

“Do you really consider it a gift, having me as your man?”

“A most precious gift. No one’s ever treated me as lovingly as you’ve done these past few days.”

“Now I wish we aren’t living in a conservative society, where me pulling off the road to kiss you would be frowned upon.”

“If you want to pull off the road to kiss me, I wouldn’t care who’s frowning.”

Mario turned his head. She was looking at him with eyes that made it clear what she wanted.

Flipping on his indicator light, he pulled back on his speed, and slid off the highway to the curb.

“I’ve been thinking of nothing else but your lips the last thirty-six hours,” he confessed, his body tightening with a desire that’s become familiar as he angled to face her. “I had dreams of kissing you long and hard last night.”

Her skin was shivering with tingles. “Dreams? They were more than one?”

“I wake up from one and slip into another.” His hands cupped her face. “I don’t know why I never before saw you like this. But now, I see you, want you…long for you. It’s a gift too having you in my life, for I get to taste your sweet lips.”

And he tasted them. Slowly, his mouth moving over hers in an unhurried manner. His strokes tender and passionate as he probed and coaxed, giving them both pleasure as his mouth became bolder in its exploration.

Vaguely, they both heard tooting horns, but none paid any attention until he lifted his head.

“If I were not intent on taking you on a date,” Mario murmured with a sigh, caressing a slightly plump bottom lip.

“We could go on the date another day.”

“You can’t go on a Christmas date on a day that’s not Christmas.” Brushing his lips over hers, he pushed back on his seat. “Come on, girlfriend. I have a mind to give you a treat today.”