Never had I kissed someone. And not once had I expected my first kiss to go like that. Christian was rough, handsy and way too intoxicating. The plan was to just get the dare over with and peck his lips. But then he had to pull me to him and practically devour me.

Christian didn't kiss. He feasted.

And stupid Alex was way too contented with himself for witnessing it all. Ok, maybe I was evil making him confront Jeremey like that—but he got me back good by threatening to tell everyone that I made out with Christian at Babushka's store.

Now things were going to be awkward between me and Christian. To top it all off, Jeremy's been giving me weird looks and was always whispering to Christian. I wondered if they were gossiping about me being ridiculous or something, and part of me felt disconcerted.

The kiss helped me realise something—I had a childish crush on Christian. He was only here in London for another two weeks, which meant that there was no chance of anything happening between us. Even if he stayed, he was way out of my league, anyway. And based on what I researched about having a crush—you're more likely to be attracted to someone you have no chance with. Great.

It's also nearly impossible for you to lie to your crush, which was why I felt bad about keeping it a secret. I felt like he needed to know, or maybe that was just my incompetence talking. But what I knew was that I needed to get a grip on myself.

Christian was here for two weeks, then he'd be gone. Full stop. There were plenty of other people here in London to develop a crush on. Of course, I'd end up ignoring whoever I was attracted to until the attraction went away.

"I heard you and Alex got in trouble with Babushka again."

I looked up from where I was busy scrubbing the dishes after dinner. The guests ate alone in the dining room, whereas we ate either in our bedrooms or the living room. I was exhilarated though; I didn't exactly want to stare at Christian's face after what happened at the grocery store.

"Of course we did, Mary," I responded with a giggle before concentrating on scouring the bowl where the pasta was previously in. She was barefoot, and I wondered how her toes weren't freezing off.

Mary took off her apron, and I assumed she just concluded cleaning the dining room. "I honestly don't know what Babushka expects. Hiring you two? Bad idea."

There was an itch on my nose and I rubbed it against my sleeve because my hands were soaked. "She doesn't even pay us, so what does she expect?"

Babushka owned the grocery store a few roads down. She used to live here with us but when she opened the store; she had an apartment built above it where she stayed with my Uncle Olezka and two of his sons - one of them being Alex.

When Papa and Uncle Olezka were fresh out of college, their father died, so Babushka moved them here to London to start a new life. Even after all these years, the three never lost their accents.

Just as I went to drain the water, Mum stepped into the kitchen adorned in a beanie and trench coat. She was clearly prepared to go outside, and I shivered at the thought, hearing thunder crackle.

Mum pointed at Mary, "Evie's watching TV in her room. You're babysitting her tonight."

Mary spluttered, "what? Why?"

"Your father and I have to go over to your uncle's place. We have to organise the number of spots available for stalls." She pulled a scarf out of her handbag and wrapped it around her neck, tucking her chestnut hair further into the sweater she wore. "I can't leave Evie with Eden. Remember what happened earlier?"

I dried my hands and leaned against the counter, eying Mum with a pout. "It was an experiment."

"You dragged the couch outside and let it get struck by lightning," Mum deadpanned and I grimaced. "Evie knows that you're a curious soul, so she feeds that with her own tricks." I couldn't argue with that. Whenever Evie came up with one of her crazy ideas, I just went along because I wanted to see the outcome. "The guests have retreated to their rooms so they won't be a problem."

My relief must've been visible because Mary raised a brow at me, but I twisted away. She smirked to herself and said, "It's no problem, Mum. I'm sure Eden had plans anyway-"

"If those plans are researching the life of Norman Bates, then yes, I've got plans," I cut her off and crossed my arms. She eyed me weirdly, but I didn't back down. It wasn't really as if she was staring at my eyes, but through it and at what was hidden about two inches behind my skull. Mary wanted to know what was running through my mind.

Mum coughed awkwardly and said, "Okay. Thanks, girls. Your father's waiting in the car and he sends kisses." She kissed her hands and blew at them, and I laughed when hearing the car honk over the sound of thunder.

The kitchen went silent as Mum's heeled boots clicked away. Not wanting Mary to question my awkward behaviour, I grabbed a dishcloth and got to drying.

"You shouldn't be afraid of temptation," Mary spoke up, using her oh-wise-one voice. I shuddered as I dried a plate. "Or to try new things."

I groaned, moving on to the next plate. "How many times are we going to have this conversation, Mary?" I kept my back to her, yet I could feel her frowning at me.

"As many times as it takes for you to understand that there's no reason to be scared," she spoke in a melodious tone, reassurance lacing her words. It was what made her a good psychologist. "You know I love you and I'd hate for you to miss out on the things I enjoyed as a teenager."

"I'm not you, Mary."

There was silence for a second before she articulated again. "I know that. I don't want you to be me. I want you to be yourself-"

"I didn't know that I was someone else," I interjected, concentrating on the cup I was drying.

Mary scoffed. "You might think you're being funny, but it's the truth. You're not the Eden that I know. You're hiding her and we only get glimpses of her when your curiosity strikes to try something new in the safety of our home. That curiosity is only the tip of the iceberg. It's a constant reminder of the adventurous side you're suppressing."

"Where is this going?" I didn't like this conversation at all. So many times I've had to listen to this, and it wasn't only Mary - it was my parents too.

"Chris and his friends are here for two weeks, Eden," she started off dubiously. "They're fun people, right?" I nodded. "And they really seem to like you. Don't let your fears hold you back. Mum might sometimes scold you when you let your curious side take control and you end up setting the couch on fire." We both laughed at that. "But really, it makes us happy. Because it shows us that the old Eden is still there."

I settled the now dry bowl on the counter, hating that Mary's words had such a consequential influence on me, presumably because she was right. Mum always said that I was an inquisitive person, and it was the primary motivation for Ruben and my escapades. Now, I only acted on those drives when they were small and, as Mary said, in the safety of our home. It was usually just pranks or things that Evie wanted to do.

But I never acted on them outside. Like a few weeks ago, I wondered if I'd manage to climb this really tall tree outside of the diner. Part of me wanted so badly to climb it. But I didn't. It didn't take a genius to figure out that I'd changed a lot over the years. My undying curiosity, however, refused to leave me.

After three minutes, I peeked over my shoulder and Mary still stood leaning against the counter with her hands on her hips. Her lips were tilted as if she meant to smile, but she didn't. Electing to ignore her, I continued drying the dishes. Five minutes must've passed, and I was ready to ask her if she had anything else to say.

"We need to talk."

My head whipped around so fast that I heard my neck crack, and I cringed. At the entrance to the kitchen, stood Christian with his arms traversed. I had to mentally chide myself for staring at his muscular arms. Get a grip, Eden. Mary was nowhere to be seen, and I remembered she was barefoot. She must've snuck away.

There was no way this discussion was going to happen without me saying something embarrassing or stupid. Whenever he was around, I found I couldn't restrain myself. He didn't look angry, but thoughtful - in an angry way. My mouth opened and closed like a fish, not knowing what to say.

Because I was such an idiot, I spun away and faced the sink. Well, that was awkward. You were supposed to respond, Eden. Could I be any more of a social outcast? There was nothing for me to amuse myself with since I already washed and dried the dishes.

"What are you?" his deep voice grumbled, and I paused my overthinking. I looked up at him and watched as he leaned back against the counter, arms folded and frosty eyes fixated on my figure. Don't pay attention to his accent, Eden. Imagine he has the voice of a chipmunk. Remember, you're terrified of chipmunks.

I turned to face him again and responded, "I'm a Homo Sapien, of course." His features scrunched, whether it was in annoyance or confusion - I didn't know. All I knew was that he made me nervous, and I was about to regurgitate information. "Part of the Primate Order, the Animalia Kingdom, and the Mammalia class. Surely you know that?"

Christian grunted and shook his head. "I could've phrased that better. I know you're a human, Eden." The way he said my name had goosebumps rising on my forearms. I quivered imperceptibly and cleared my throat before recommencing to stare at the sink. Chipmunk.

He pulled his lip between his teeth and groaned at my muteness. "I can't figure you out and it's fucking with my head." He sounded in agony, and I queried if it was excruciating for him to actually make conversation. "I enjoy knowing what to expect but you -"

"You're a control freak," I cut him off with a giggle and he stilled, eyes going hard. "Oh, was I not supposed to know that?"

Christian swore and pushed off from the counter, swaggering towards me and I crimsoned. "I'm not a control freak."

My heart rate picked up, and I glimpsed at him, seeing the ardent look in his frozen eyes. "Control freak depicts a person with a personality dysfunction delineated by dominating behaviour exhibited in how he or she appears to dictate the direction of things in a social situation." His irises were stationary, and I wondered whether he was blinking. "Is that not what you're doing?" I bit my lip.

"I'm not a control freak," His husky voice sailed through my ears again as I resorted to dabbing at my red cheeks. "I just like knowing what to expect from some people."

The closer he stepped, the quicker my heart thrummed. It was as if my body sent an invitation to all the things that made me apprehensive, and now they were attacking me with full force.

"Seems like you've lost your touch," I attempted a joke and coughed nervously. "If you need to practice your people skills, then I'd recommend Pucker's Bar, Twin Town Diner -"

Christian suddenly confined me against the sink. His arms were settled on either side of me on the counter and his face hovered above mine. He was so close that I could see the flecks of icy blue in his eyes. "Don't."

"Um." My brows scrunched as I tried manoeuvring out of his grip but he wouldn't budge. "If you prefer less crowded places, then there's Morningstar Park—"

"I don't wanna fucking talk to Eden the tour guide," Christian growled and leaned closer. "Let me talk to you."

Clearing my throat, I admonished, "Mr James." His expression went pinched, and I suppressed a laugh. If I wanted to maintain a distance between us, then a professional relationship needed to be established. I was not having a repeat of the grocery store. "As long as we are on bed-and-breakfast grounds and you are a resident - I am Eden, the tour guide."

My words sounded robotic, even to me. And it seemed to piss him off because his eye twitched.

"I never know what to expect from you. You had a great time with me yesterday. Earlier at the store, you went through with the dare and allowed me to pull you back," his voice was flat as he stared down at me. "But now, you're pushing me away." The baritone of his voice prompted me to let out another shudder. He spoke as if he controlled the world, every word seeping with confidence.

His lips were moving, yet I paid no attention to what he was saying, rather just gazing at his alluring lips. The thought frightened me. Never had I felt this strong of an attraction to someone. It felt like I was in a stupor, one that would bring a butterfly to nectar. Chipmunk.

I'd never been intimately touched before, and I gulped when his nose brushed against mine. His lips softly grazed the corner of my mouth and I felt my skin enkindle in the places that he kissed. My thoughts whirled around like an interminable vortex pursuing its own tail. Conjuring up enough determination, I met his gaze. There was mischief flickering in his frosty eyes. I contained a gasp.

The twat knew the effect he had on me!

My lips quivered as I opened them to speak and Christian gazed down at them, waiting for my voice to reach his ears. I wondered what he'd do if I pushed back. Mary's words rang through my ears. Once again, Eden's curiosity struck. The question was whether I'd let it win. The answer was clear in my stance. "If it makes you feel better, when I'm around you, not even I know what to expect myself to do."

Christian swallowed roughly, his Adam's Apple bobbing with the movement. The air between us was crackling, just like the lightning outside that illuminated the kitchen for a split second. I leaned forward slightly, eyes fluttering when Christian settled his hands on my waist. He dipped down because of his tall height and I shivered.

"But you know what I think?" I whispered, trying to keep myself in control.

Logic strolled out the door and waved both hands at me. What I was doing, you couldn't call it flirting because I was inexperienced, but maybe you could call it provoking. My meddlesomeness always propelled me to provoke things to see the outcome - and that was what was happening here.

Examples of it were the couch situation, when I took Evie to the park solely due to me being inquisitive about the elderly man that I was sure was feeding the ducks even though there was a sign that you shouldn't feed them. Or when I went to the bookstore because I was curious who'd be visiting that day. And even when I went with Christian to Winter Wonderland because I wanted to know the outcome.

Now that I'd thought about it, I'd been acting on my impulses more often since Christian, Jeremy and Astrid came to town. I was yet to discern whether it was good or bad. Christian cleared his throat, bringing me back to the current situation, and I remembered what was initially going through my head.

No matter how much Christian vetoed it, he liked being in control. I'd known him for a week and I picked up on that, watching the way he interacted with those around him. He spoke softly, but he had a voice that would turn heads no matter how low the words were uttered. When he spoke, you didn't think, just did what he wanted. "What?"

"I think you like not knowing what to expect from me," I hummed. "It keeps you on your toes." Lord, help me now. I was way out of my comfort zone. My cheeks were boiling hot, and I hoped I didn't look like my head needed to be dumped in an ice bucket. They were traitors, my cheeks, showcasing how apprehensive I actually was.

The corner of his lip twitched into his cheek - a smirk. "Maybe."

I could feel his breath on my lips and I slowly crept closer, pushing all thoughts of the consequences of kissing Christian out of my head. Mary was right, don't be afraid of temptation. His lips smoothed against mine softly, parting them gently. He pulled away slightly as if asking for permission and I nodded slowly, reaching for his shirt again. Eden, stop.

"Holy fuck."

Slipping out of Christian's hold, I turned to face the entrance to the kitchen, mortified. There stood Astrid with an empty mug in her hands. She glanced between Christian and me in amusement, and I wanted the ground to consume me. My legs declined to move no matter how much I told myself that I needed to leave this place and change my identity.

Eden, you absolute idiot. Curiosity killed the cat!

"I just finished my hot chocolate," Astrid laughed uneasily and set the mug in the sink. I could tell she was a little awkward because Christian watched her with an annoyed gleam in his icy eyes. Astrid cleared her throat, "I didn't know anyone would still be down here –"

"It's fine," Christian abruptly cut her off, and I pouted at him. He glanced back at me and I looked away, still soaking in humiliation. This was absolute anguish, and I would never forget it. The memory would stay with me forever, then strike me when I was alone.

Christian, albeit looking annoyed, was nonchalant, and I didn't understand how he was not flustered. Humiliation was a weapon, and I was invariably sensing the stab of it because of my actions. It felt like there was a radiator inside my body and everything was cataclysmic. Each second that passed in silence made me tremble.

Knowing that I was about to spread blind facts, I hurried from the kitchen. My shoulder brushed Astrid's briefly, and I apologised softly before practically dashing up the stairs.

Once I was safely in my room, I slammed the door shut. How did I always put myself in awkward situations? I never learned. What the heck happened to putting distance between us? What happened to him being a chipmunk?

Sagging against the door, I calmed myself down. I had no idea how I was going to look Astrid in the eye now. What if she thought I was a harlot? Kissing Christian after only knowing him for one week, shame on me.

I promised myself to research that later, if it was normal to behave like that. Mary definitely wasn't an option because she'd taunt me mercilessly. However, what happened downstairs was exhilarating nonetheless, and it reminded me why I was an adventurous child in the first place.

There was a sudden knock on the door and I glanced at the clock to see that ten minutes had passed. Heaving in a deep breath, I stood up and opened the door a smidge to peek through. Christian stood in the hallway clothed in a coat and jeans. There was a beanie on his head and he shoved his hands into his pockets.

"Grab your coat. We're going out."

And curiosity won again.