Page 94 of Game on, Love
Oliver’s eyes were already on me as I found the will to push my bags forward, my heart racing in my chest as I walked towards him.
He was leaning against a pillar, dressed up in a simple hoodie and some jeans that made him look effortlessly put together. His hair was covered in a hat, but it was his easy grin that made me forget how to breathe.
As we both walked over and met halfway, I noticed there was a glint in his eyes. “Fancy seeing you here, Gorgeous.”
“What are you doing here?”
His grin widened at the genuine surprise in my voice as he leaned down, his face inches away from mine. “I wanted to surprise you.”
“Why… how?”
“When you told me that your flight was delayed, I pulled up the information. I knew you had a difficult weekend, and I wanted to be here with this,” He pulled out a bag from behind him, but my eyes were focused on him. “So you could relax the moment you got out.”
I blinked, then again, in the hopes that my heart wouldn’t give out on me. But he must’ve seen the emotion in my eyes anyway as he brought his hand up to my face, caressing my cheek.
“What?” His voice was low, and the warmth of it spread everywhere.
“Kiss me,” I replied, and he stilled. But he didn’t need to be told twice because the moment he processed what I had said, his hand cupped the side of my neck as he pulled my face to his before he placed his lips on mine.
The moment my lips met his, I felt my heart stop before it restarted. This time, when it beat, there was a new rhythm to it.
His lips were soft and sure like he had this saved moment for me and was waiting for me to catch up. It wasn’t the kiss thatdemanded the fireworks, no—there was nothing momentary or fleeting about it—instead, it was deeper, deliberate and quiet, like two oceans meeting at the horizon, in a familiar way, unknown to us but seamlessly blending into one. Like it would leave an imprint on my soul forever.
It felt effortless and easy, and at the same time, it was like coming to a place that I’d yearned for, but it never had a name to it.
He pulled back, his forehead resting on mine, as he whispered. “That was…”
“I know,” I whispered back, and like the most natural thing, he pecked my lips.
He ran his thumb down my cheek like he couldn’t believe I was there. “What changed your mind?”
I couldn’t help but laugh. “Beer.”
A glint appeared in his eyes as he leaned back. “Do I even want to know?”
“Fair point. Maybe let’s wait until we’re back in the car before you decide you want revenge,” I replied, as he grabbed the handle of my suitcase in one hand and offered me the other one.
Once my fingers were laced with his, he gave me a small tug, and I let myself be pulled into him. He placed another kiss on my lips, one much gentler this time as he whispered. “Welcome home, love.”
Something about the way he’d said it made me realise that he didn’t just mean the place, he meant the feeling. Because no matter how much I’d run, no matter the amount of time I’d taken, I was meant to return to him.
It had a name.
Home.
I FELT A GENTLE TUGon my ear before a palm covered the soft but shooting pain. I stirred, groaning as my hand covered my ear before opening my eyes. Which instantly I realised was the worst decision as the blinding headlights from the car ahead of us hit my eyes.
I turned in my seat, squinting to look at Oliver, who was wearing a grin as one of his hands rested on the steering wheel while the other was by my ear. His lips twitched at my expression, and I slapped his hand away before pulling his jacket that I’d been using as a blanket up and tucking it between my ear and shoulder. Instead of retreating his hand, he put them on my knees that were now facing him.
As I started closing my eyes again, he tapped my knees until it became annoying.
“Stop it,” I grumbled, shooting my eyes back to him.
“Do you know how long it took me to get you to wake up?” He asked as the car started to move again. “I’ve never seen someone knock out as quickly as you.”
“How’s this for a thought? You let me sleep.”
“And let you mess up your sleep schedule?”