Chapter 4 - I Kissed A Stranger

• Kristoff ushers me onto the mansion’s front porch. All around us are snow, a bright moon, and a stunning oceanfront with the sounds of beach waves. It is indeed beautiful.
• I pivot to speak to him, but he brings his face close and presses his mouth into mine. I let out a groan in surprise. This gives him the opening to slide his tongue into my mouth.
• Our tongues glide in a slow, sensuous rhythm while he skates his fingers at the nape of my head. My heart beats at a rapid rate. Our breaths speed up, and it’s tempting me to go further. I wrap my arms around his neck.
• God. I need him right now... Here...
• But suddenly, he pauses, leaving me hanging.
• “You look so beautiful tonight,” he mumbles.
• I grunt in protest. “You’re a bad man, Kristoff.”
• He gives me a peck on the head and chuckles. “I’m sorry, I can’t help myself. I might not be able to stop.”
• “I suppose,” I murmur hoarsely. “But I love it here. This place is beautiful. Thank you.”
• He peers deeply into my eyes. “You don’t know how happy I am that you’re here. I don’t really want to celebrate with my family. They usually exaggerate things.”
• I run my fingers down his chest. “Last year was quite sad for me. I had a piece of cheesecake, a steak, and a glass of wine, but I was all alone.”
• “I’m sorry, babe. I promise it will be different this time.” He gives my nose a light pinch.
• “And you shouldn’t worry about anything. You at least have your family.”
• I pull away from his embrace and turn my body toward the patio.
• “You had one.”
• “Well, they’re no longer here.” My parents were taken from me in a stupid car accident and left me alone for five years. I was also left with almost nothing.
• Silence.
• “Hey, I’m just curious.”
• “Mm?”
• “Don’t you want to know who John Pitch is? We don’t know much about him. Just the generic website about his foundation. Not even a single picture.”
• “I wanted to know him too, but I always thought he had a reason for being anonymous.” I smile as I look up at Kristoff. “I heard he’s sponsoring over fifty students.”
• “Wow. I wonder if I’m capable of that.”
• “What do you mean?”
• “I mean, even my family does that: my dad and some people inside. Who knows? John Pitch might be one of them.”
• I can vaguely hear the music, the chattering, and the pleasant laughter coming from the party. Sure, he may be there. I’ve probably already walked past him and won’t even recognize it’s him. And ‘he’ might actually be a ‘she.’
• “But if he gets to know you, he’ll be proud,” Kristoff adds. “Hey, would you like something to drink?”
• Only then do I realize my throat is drying up. “Yes, please. I’d like some.”
• Kristoff kisses my head and then enters the house. “I’ll be right back.”
• As I turn my gaze up into the sky again, a torrent of thoughts rushes into my mind.
• College life is like entering a new world for me. One of them is the opportunity to meet Kristoff and Lora. People like them are the kind I wouldn’t meet if I worked at a diner or bar after high school because I couldn’t afford college.
• Whitlock School of Music is many things, but it has infuriatingly discriminatory social rules. Only the wealthy, successful, and privileged can apply. It’s likely John Pitch has had enough influence to get me enrolled.
• Now I am at this party, trying to act as if I belong. I know no one would ever accept me because of my background. Only Kristoff and Lora. They are the gems I would like to keep to myself selfishly forever.
• “Excuse me?”
• My lack of wealth and prestigious ancestry has made Kristoff’s parents dislike me. How much more if they found out I was attending WSM on a full scholarship?
• Suddenly, a deep, velvety, vaguely familiar voice interrupts my thoughts.
• “You there.”
• I shift my head to the side. “Oh, hello. I’m sorry about that.” I awkwardly step to the side. This guy is coming in way too close. But, gee. He’s tall.
• He’s hiding half his face underneath a gold mask. His mouth and the faintest outlines of stubble are the only visible parts of his face. He’s dressed in a midnight blue designer tuxedo with black lapels, which displays his broad frame.
• “I’m looking for Kristoff. I saw you talking to him earlier.”
• “Um, he went inside to get a drink.”
• “I see.” The man glances toward the entrance.
• “Would you like me to help you find him?”
• “It’s fine. If you’re with him, he’ll come back.”
• I confirm it with a nod.
• “Do you mind if I wait here with you? You don’t appear to be currently accompanied.”
• God. The melody of his voice is incredibly distracting. I have never heard such a man’s voice that’s both smooth and clear.
• “Yes, sir, of course.”
• “And I was told he’s looking for me,” he murmurs. “He shouldn’t have left his friend here by herself.”
• “I’m not really alone.”
• “Do you know anyone else here?”
• “My best friend and I came together, but she’s dancing with Adam Sebastian.”
• He nods while crossing his arms. “So you won’t mind me asking you to dance?”
• My cheeks flare up. There’s no way I’m going to dance with a stranger without asking Kristoff first. The only guy I’m dancing to tonight is my boyfriend.
• “Excuse me, sir. I’m not totally refusing you, but I’m not really into dancing or parties.”
• “Neither do I.” His mouth twitches just a little.
• I raise my head. Suddenly, I feel a little braver. “Why are you here, then?”
• “My family dragged me here. And you?”
• “What? Dragged here?”
• He nods.
• “Kristoff brought me here.”
• He smiles slowly and endearingly. But why am I feeling uneasy?
• Still smiling, he tilts his head to the side. “What’s your name?”
• The moment I open my mouth to reply, Lora has already found me.
• “There you are. I’ve been looking for you everywhere, and... oh, hello.” She stops, recognizing the man standing next to me. She struck my side with her elbow.
• I wince. Thank goodness, a mask covers my face.
• “He’s waiting for Kristoff,” I say.
• Lora moves closer. “He’s pretty hot, alright.”
• “Hush!” I grab her arm and hook it around mine. “I’m sorry about that. Have a good night, sir.”
• I notice he raises an eyebrow, but I’m not really sure. “Likewise.”
• I drag Lora along and storm back inside. I’ve never been more nervous in all my life. Not even when my music teacher told me I got the scholarship.
• Something about him just seems oddly familiar... I feel myself being dragged to the ground by a strong, tingly force.
• “Good evening, ladies and gentlemen!” The host greets the guests when we return. “Once again, I’d like to extend a warm welcome to our annual Christmas Eve celebration. I’m Adam Sebastian, but you probably already know that.”
• Laughter fills the grand hall.
• “Hey, where’s Kristoff?” I whisper in my best friend’s ear.
• “I saw him at the buffet with his sister earlier.”
• “Let’s find him. I don’t know anyone at this party but you.”
• She grins impishly. “What about the guy outside? Even with the mask, I can tell he’s gorgeous.”
• “Stop it. I only spoke to him for one minute. One minute, Lora.”
• “Then you should’ve asked his name for me.”
• I am amused by her interest. “Should we go back and ask?”
• “No, that’s embarrassing!”
• We turn our attention back to the stage.
• “Let’s have some fun!” Adam goes on. “Are you excited?”
• The crowd roars in response.
• “We’ve never played this game before. Now... I’d like you to grab your spouses, girlfriends, a stranger, or anybody! The lights will go out at exactly twelve o’clock, and our game will start. Kiss your person for sixty seconds, take off their masks, and shout, ‘Merry Christmas!”
• The noise in the hall intensifies.
• Adam Sebastian’s announcement didn’t exactly excite me since I still can’t locate my boyfriend
• “Oh my God, that’s fun!” Lora screams in excitement. “You know what? I’m going to find someone.”
• “Ew. What if he’s already taken or has bad breath?”
• She rolls her eyes. “Whatever. I’m still in.”
• “Dear friends! Ten seconds left!” Adam yells. The people start the countdown.
• “Ten, nine, eight, seven...”
• Where the heck is Kristoff?
• “Six, five...”
• There he is! He is coming towards me, smiling and carrying two flute glasses. Lora has already disappeared.
• “Four...”
• But America suddenly appears in a flash with an angry face.
• “Three... two... one...”
• The lights shut off.
• I hear the microphone drop.
• Someone squeals.
• When the music stops, the air turns cold. My hand reaches for Kristoff, but to no luck; someone bumps me from the back, pushing me forward... Until I feel someone...
• Kristoff... Thank God.
• I draw myself close, cup his face in my hands, and then collide his lips with mine. A heartwarming scent immediately tickles my nostrils.
• His perfume drifts over me, and it’s stronger now than when we kissed on the porch. It has spicy sandalwood and slightly sweet notes of musk. A wave of euphoria hits me, seeping into every cell in my body.
• I release one of my hands to hold his biceps while his mouth lays gentle kisses on my lips before passionately capturing them.
• I am astounded for a moment. His mouth glides over my bottom lip, his soft, supple mouth sensually teasing with mine. With each stroke, the kiss sears my lips, and his tongue attempts to enter. He grabs my waist and gently caresses my lower back.
• I feel like I’m spinning.
• The pleasure and desire mingle in my stomach. My nipples erecting against my dress, and a burning heat squirms between my inner thighs.
• What is happening? This is not how Kristoff’s mouth normally tastes.
• A deep, hoarse, masculine voice stops me when I raise my head to check.
• “Stay still.”
• Shit! He’s not Kristoff!
• I shiver. My sensitivity gets heightened by the stranger’s breath as it travels to my neck. Once again, his lips brush against my skin. He holds me closer. There’s suddenly an unbreakable authority between our breaths I’m absolutely against. It’s incredibly disarming.
• His thumb wanders freely across my face, and then his gentle lips touch my cheek.
• This is wrong. I kissed a total stranger in the dark, and I liked it.
• The lights come back and spread across the hall. The music resumes, and everyone greets each other with a “Merry Christmas!”
• But I’m too occupied to mind them. I lift my head again to see who it is.
• It’s the gold mask!
• “Oh, no.”
• His lips slowly curve into a seductive grin, then he turns. I reach out to stop him, but Kristoff finally appears, looking exasperated. Not because he saw the kiss, I doubt he did. It’s because his shirt is stained all over with the red cocktails.