Things Left Untouched

I watched as the words slipped from my lips, and carried on a fragile breath of hope. “But I’m glad you did. I’m glad you thought of me,” I murmured, my voice barely louder than the whisper of the wind through the trees.

His eyes, deep and endless like the night sky, widened ever so slightly. I saw the subtle shift in his expression, the flicker of something stirring within him. His breath, once steady and calm, now quickened, each inhale heavy with unspoken emotion.

And then it hit me like a sudden gust of wind, the weight of my confession crashing down upon me like a wave against the shore. “Oh my God. Forget I said anything,” I blurted out, my words tumbling over each other in a desperate attempt to backtrack.

Scrambling to my feet, I gathered my things, trying to escape. But as I turned to leave, I felt his touch, warm and gentle against my skin, wrapping around my wrist like a lifeline.

Electricity coursed through my veins at his touch, sending sparks flying in every direction. I