#unless stubble counts as body hair...no. and he is always wearing a beanie and jacket. but look at him

[writtendreams]

Across the fire pit

So this is my first blurb (if you can even call it that)! I honestly just wrote this without any idea of where it was going to end, so I tried my best to make it flow. As mentioned, I wanted to keep pieces short so I really attempted to still make it descriptive and immersive whilst sticking to a [relatively loose] limit. I hope you all enjoy! 

Disclaimer: all work is my own unless stated otherwise. I will always credit and acknowledge if I get an idea from another person’s work.

Word Count: 1069

The winter air pricked at the exposed skin of my face, the tip of my nose numb as I burrowed my chin deeper into the layers of my scarf. Nudging closer to the raging firepit, I welcomed the feverish heat that cloaked my face and made my eyes water. I could feel the immediate reddening of my cheeks as it adjusted to the drastic change in temperature, but I was just grateful that my body had stopped shaking. Smoke rose through the air and the fire crackled as everyone sat idly around, the sounds of laughter and chatter drowning out the music coming from several portable speakers; however, I couldn’t focus on anybody but him. Through the flickering flames, our eyes occasionally met, the electricity between fuelling the internal fire that was roaring in the pit of my stomach. Light shadows danced across his face, enunciating the intensity of his green eyes, and my yearning for him only continued to grow as I imagined how his lips would feel against mine – how his skin would feel against mine. The conversations of my friends were distant noises as we once again made eye contact, his boring into mine as the ghost of a playful smirk played on his lips; the blaze within me was growing wilder, spreading rapidly to my heart and enveloping my chest. We played this staring game for a few moments before he got up and out of his seat, his gaze briefly leaving mine before resuming. I shuffled nervously in my seat, excitement running her fingers up and down my spine as shivers took over me. Now standing over me, I had a much better view of him; the tattoo on his neck peeked out over the top of his dark turtleneck and the ring in his lip was beckoning me to make contact.

Smiling brightly up at him, willing everything inside of me to not show the nerves that encapsulated me and was holding my brain captive. He returned the gesture and held his hand out to me and for a moment my composure faltered.

“Let’s get a drink” Weak at the knees and now overheating, I took his hand and let him pull me up. Although fleeting, the feeling of his cold hand against mine sent a wave up my arm and nearly had me on the floor. No man had ever had this effect on me, especially after only one date – I was practically a quivering mess just by a glance or small smile, but I loved every second of it. Following him to the table I had helped set up earlier, stashed in the far corner of the backyard and shrouded in darkness away from the others, I willed my heart to stop beating so erratically. Standing in silence as we both sipped from our cups, him casually leaning against the brick wall, I let my eyes wander over his frame. His usually tussled hair was hidden under a navy blue beanie, some strands falling out under the edges, and a black turtle neck adorned his body. Despite also wearing a puffer jacket, his sweater clung to his body perfectly and I could feel my heart begin to pick up pace again. The rest of his outfit was relatively the same, dark tones and all, and it astounded me how something so simple could look so extravagant on him; I was suddenly feeling self-conscious.

Finally meeting his eyes once he cleared his throat, my cheeks flushed with embarrassment as I realised how caught up in my own thoughts I had been; he had been watching me watch him. His teeth gleamed in the dark as he chuckled and reached out for my hand again, pulling me closer to him until the tips of our shoes were touching. I could smell his cologne as the scent danced around my nose, flashes of our date running through my mind as we sat along the deserted beach and the wind whipped crazily around us.

“I think our date went quite well the other day, and I’m really glad that you were invited tonight. I know that James wanted to make it a boys only thing, but I’m actually really happy that Pete wanted to invite Rose.” The deep tenor of his voice was soothing but quiet as he spoke softly to me, our eyes trained on each other and my hands fidgeting in my coat pockets.

“I’m equally grateful that Rose loves all of us so much that she decided to invite us too”

“I have a feeling that was because she didn’t want to be the only girl, as well as the fact that she is extremely curious at how well we’re getting along.” He motioned towards the fire where I saw inquisitive eyes glancing our way. We laughed together as fog whirled around us and I made an avid decision to step a tiny bit closer. He shuffled his feet to give me room and our jackets were beginning to touch – we were close enough for a stranger to know that we were more than friends, but not enough for him to kiss me just yet. The battle of excitement and anxiety was a dangerous concoction as adrenaline coursed through my veins and pushed me to a level of risk-taking. Taking in the early stage stubble that scattered along his jaw line and how his eyes darkened when they met mine, the static between us was becoming unbearable with everything inside of me screaming to take a leap and finally feel the cool metal against my lips. Yet, before I could, he swiftly closed the distance between us until his lips were inches from brushing mine. As though second nature, I reached out and latched onto his forearms to stabilise me – my mind was cloudy and I felt faint. I was intoxicated by him and I wanted to spend every day drunk if it meant having him.

“Not just yet. I want to do this right.” As promptly as he had pulled me in, he quickly made space between us but clasped my hand tightly in his. Though my lips ached at the close encounter with his and the mist in my brain was only exacerbated by how quickly the situation changed, his words told me that he wanted me just as I wanted him and for now we would just enjoy the chase.