*Tess*
"Come Harold, dance with me". I take his hands helping him up. We are in the common room at the old folks home and after having had food and cake, someone has set up a old gramophone and is playing old christmas records.
As we dance, I can't help glancing at Zac. Honestly I kind of can't get the image of him shirtless out of my head. He seems to have fun. Talking animatedly. All the old people here adores him. He is just so likeably and friendly.
I also notice a couple of the younger nurses working her, they are keeping their heads together, whispering as they are casting glances at Zac. And it kind of stirs something inside me. Something unpleasant.
"Thank you for dancing with me my dear. But my old legs need a rest". Harold says with a smile. "But someone else is ready to take over and then you don't have to cast those longing glances after him anymore".
Before I can say anything Harold twirls me away in a surprisingly agile move and seconds later I find myself in Zac's arms. He sends me a warm smile. "Well hi there. I think it has to be my turn to get a dance".
Dean Martin starts singing 'let it snow' and I let Zac twirl me effortlessly across the floor, singing softly along to the music. I feel myself melt more and more into his embrace.
I feel like I am floating, letting him lead me. The music and atmosphere washing over me, transporting me to another place and time almost. His warm eyes lock into mine and I feel my heart bloom like a precious flower.
It feels like being in a fairy-tale or a dream. Yes Zac is handsome like no other man I have ever known, but what captures me is the light shining from within him. A true warmth and compassion. A pure soul and a heart of gold.
The music stops and I pull away, scared of the sudden rush of feelings that threatens to overwhelm me. I am not sure I can handle this. That I can control it. "T..th..thank you for the dance".
"Tess !" He calls out, but I almost run out the room. Knowing everyone is watching me like I am crazy. But I just need to get away. My luck is that the bus drives up just as I come running out and I jump on it.
I am not able to sit still on the bus ride into town. I need to take a step back and distance myself from Zac. I can't control being this close with him. It is like the lines get more an more blurred. It kind of feels like we are already a couple, except that we haven't kissed.
The bus stops close to the store. And my sister looks up as I walk in probably looking a lot more disshelved than usual. "I'll be in my office Lizzie. I need to think".
"Uhh Tess, you should probably know..". She starts speaking, but I just hold up my hand stopping her. "Not now okay. I.. I just need a moment".
I hurry into my small office, smacking the door behind me. I grab the edge of my desk, trying to breath slowly and calm myself. Zac is leaving in about 4 weeks, I just have to keep him away for that long and he will forget me for sure while he is away.
Suddenly I hear someone clear their throat and turn to see Zac stand in front of my door. His long arms is crossed on his chest and he looks a bit annoyed with me, making me swallow. This was what my sister tried to say. "Oh Zac, you are here".
"Yeah Tess, I am here. Running away from me didn't really work". His eyes are boring into mine and he slowly walks closer. "I am tired of this cat and mouse game Tess. I have been very patient. Trying to show you that I am serious".
"So you.. you give up ?" Well that was exactly what I knew would happen. As soon as it takes a bit of work, men give up.
He shakes his head, moving in on me. "Oh no munckin, I am not giving up. I am going for the kill because I am tired of waiting and well if you don't get it by now that I am serious and very stubborn, then I just have to show you in another way".
"Zac.. I.. please don't.. we can't..". He silence me by putting a finger on my lips and slowly shake his head. The way he looks at me makes my throat go dry and my legs go weak.
His finger traces my lip, making me shudder. Breathing suddenly feels like I am under water. His voice laced with desire. "Stop it Tess. No I am not perfect and neither are you. But we belong together and it is about time you wake up and se that. I need you so much that it's a constant dull pain keeping me awake at night".
I can't rip my eyes away from his lips. He is going to kiss me, I just know it. I can't stop him and the thought makes my heart run amok. What should I do ? What do I want to do ? Oh God he is going to kiss me.
But then he closes his eyes and when he opens them again they seem so sad. His voice so emotional it makes my heart hurt. "Why do you insist on pushing me away ? Do you really find me that unattractive ? Don't you like me the least ?"
I just stand there petrified. Why ? Why do I keep pushing him away ? Is it because I don't find him attractive ? No, that is ridiculous, I find him enormously attractive. Don't I like him then ? Of course I like him, I like him a lot. Way more than I dare admit. Then why ?
"I won't push you anymore Tess. It hurts to much every time you run away from me. I felt we were getting closer. I thought that maybe.. that maybe you just felt a tiny slither of what I do". He turns away. "I .. I have against all my better judgement fallen for you Tess. Now you know, and if you change your mind, then you just need to tell me to come and I'll be here".
He isn't going to kiss me ? But I had been so sure. But not only that, he is leaving. I hurt him and he is giving up. Not because it is difficult or because he don't get his way. He is giving up because I hurt him and because he thinks that is what I want him to do.
"Zac stop!" I run after him, trying to grab his arm. I need him to stop, I need him to stay. He stops and turn a lot quicker than expected and I ram right into him. He must have been of balance, because I somehow manage to knock him over, landing on top of him.
He looks up at me. A smile emerging on his lips. His hands gently grabbing my face. "You know munckin you don't have to tackle me to get me to stay".
"Oh just shut up and kiss me Zac". And that he does. He lift himself to let his lips find mine. It feels like our souls melt together. Like we already know each other so well. There is no awkwardness, no finding each other. We just fit together from the first second.

*Zac*
I can't belive it is actually happening. Her lips feels so soft on mine. And she tastes like cinnamon and strawberry icing. Her tongue gently taps my lips, begging for entrance, which I am more than happy to grant.
Managing to sit up, without braking the kiss, I pull her closer to me. She has one hand on my chest and one in my hair. I don't want to break our kiss, but in the end I have to. We do after all need to breathe. And she rests her head on my shoulder.
"By the way Zac, there is one thing you should probably know". She says as she gets up and offers me a hand, pretending to pull me back on my feet.
I reach out to run my finger to run it down her cheek. "What is it Munckin ?" I want to know everything about her. All the things she still haven't told me.
"Well I am a born again virgin, saving myself for marriage. I hope you are okay with that ?" She look expectingly at me, and I am really glad I wasn't drinking anything, because I would have spit it out.
I don't know what to say. I must admit I hadn't entertained the possibility. Shit, I mean of course I respect her choise, but this ain't gonna be easy. "Of course. If that is your choise I fully respect it. I'll just have to live with a sore wrist".
"Oh no Zac. No no no that just won't do. As my boyfriend I expect you to take a wove of full abstinence just like me. You'll do that for me right ?" She say looking expectantly at me.
Uhh what ? Fuck .. what the hell do I answer to that ? I feel myself starting to sweat, pulling at my collar. I mean I knew she had some old fashioned ideas about love. But this.. "Uhh.. well, I guess if it means a lot to you".
"Oh lord". She almost doubles over, holding her stomach as she laughs, tears streaming from her eyes. "You should have seen your face Zac. Sorry I was pulling your leg for Gods sake. Did you really buy that ?"
I grab her pulling her to me. "You naughty girl. Do you know how much you fucked with me right there ? Don't ever tease a man like that".
"Your poor thing, scared you would never get any". She says, winking at me, before stretching up to kiss me again and then whisper in my ear. "You don't have to worry about that love".