Your first kiss.

We've all read the romance novels and watched the movies, ultimately leading us all to creating our own perfect ideals in our minds. And of course I was no different.

I always imagined and longed for that perfect guy and the perfect kiss. To be head over heels in love. And for the first time in my life, I was beginning to have some of that.

But if there's one thing the books and movies don't tell us is how amazing it actually is. It's nothing in comparison to the reality. Nixon's soft lips moulded perfectly in sync with mine, almost like they were made for me.

As soon as they made contact, my eyes closed like an automatic reaction and I placed my right hand behind his neck pulling him in closer. His tongue was warm and sweet. Nixon's hands slipped under my shirt, caressing my waist. My heart was racing and tingles jolted to every part of my body. This was nothing like I had ever experienced and I was loving every single moment, which begged the question why have we never done this before?

I had a small hint of insecurity of whether I was doing a good job but when Nixon softly moaned into my mouth it was squashed away.

Oh fudge that was hot.

We slowly pulled apart a few moments later, much to my dismay, both of us breathing heavily. With both his hands cradling my face, Nixon was lit up with a breathtaking smile and I mirrored his expression. He looked at me with adoring eyes.

"Wow," He rasped. I could tell from his expression that he liked it. The bad boy liked our kiss!

"I know right, it was better than I imagined," I hummed in response.

"That was your first kiss?" Nixon's expression never faltered but mine did.

I felt a blush of embarrassment make its way onto my cheeks and the insecurity started to creep its way back up. I merely nodded in response, looking down.

"Thank God," I looked up at Nixon in surprise. "If someone else had ever touched those lips I would have gone ape shit," Nixon smiled but I could tell he was being serious. My heart filled with warmth, all hint of insecurities gone.

I was using the moment I had to really appreciate and take in all of his features.

He really was so handsome. His eyes, his nose, his lips. All perfect. I ran my hand gently down his face and as I reached his lips, he planted a soft kiss on my palm. I traced the back of my hand against his stubble and smiled.

It made him way hotter.

Plus, I liked the feeling when it tickled my face.

"I like the stubble. You should keep it like this,"

Smirking at me he retorted. "For you, anything,"

Jheez could this guy get my heart racing any more.

"Hey Nixon?"

"Yeah?"

"Can we take this slow? I just don't want to rush anything or go too fast," I looked at him warily afraid of his reaction. I think he noticed this so instead of speaking Nixon leaned towards me slowly and planted a single soft kiss on my lips and looked straight into my eyes locking me in place.

"As slow as you want Mara. If we're going to do this I want to do it right. I've screwed up with a lot of things, but I refuse to screw up anything with you," He spoke with so much intensity, it made my heart skip a beat.

I felt like a big weight had been lifted off my shoulders. Now that Nixon's secret was out in the open and we had our first kiss, everything had changed.

I'm slowly getting to peel off his layers and the more I do, the more I like. He's been going through so much and I was determined to help him get out of it. I know it's dangerous but it's not fair that he has to be stuck in something he doesn't want to be in.

And now to make to fair, it was my turn to open up.

"So, uh, we should talk,"

****

"So not only do I have to deal with your dad, but two older brothers too?" Nixon looked at me with a blank expression. Which kinda scared me actually. I expected him to have a little fear or something. Or to run for the hills.

But then again, he is the bad boy.

My bad boy.

"Why are you looking at me like that?" I looked at him perplexed. I did explain the extent of how crazy overprotective they were. "My dad said, and I quote, that if I brought someone home before I was fifty that the poor sucker would leave with a broken leg,"

"So?" Nixon looked at me like I was crazy.

"Dude! That's your leg!" I waved my arms and covered my face in frustration. I felt Nixon scooching closer to me on the couch and peeled my hand off my face, making me look at him. He was sporting a softened expression.

"Look Mara, first of all I feel super honoured that you're even considering introducing me to your family. And second, I understand how protective they are I would be the same with Nova, but I'm sure your dad doesn't literally mean it. Or your brothers. Even if they did I'd definitely beat the shit out of everyone easy,"

"Nixon!" I gasped, attempting to punch him with my good arm.

He laughed catching it with ease and kissing it. "I'm just kidding nugget,"

Rolling my eyes I retorted. "Please just take this seriously. Of course I want to introduce you to my dad, eventually I mean. We decided to take things slow but yes Nixon I want to introduce you to my dad at some point. My brothers too. They'll just have to accept that I'm not a baby anymore and that you make me happy,"

Nixon kissed me on my forehead after my little speech and gently brought me into his chest. "You're right, I'm sorry. I'd love to meet your family one day,"

I thanked him and snuggled into him further.

"Do I really make you happy?"

Nixon's question caught me off guard and I sat back up making eye contact. I could see the hint of insecurity in his eyes like he was making sure. My heart broke a little inside. "Of course you do Nixon,"

Smiling, his expression went back to his normal one as I reassured him.

"So your dad's a big time lawyer?"

Nodding with pride I answered. "He built Ellsworth Law from the ground up. He wanted one of my brothers to take over one day but they're really not that interested. But I am,"

Nixon was listening with interest and smiled at the last part.

"Nugget wants to be a lawyer huh,"

I smiled with inevitable excitement. "Yeah. I've been brought up around it and I've always found the Law fascinating. I mean it's super hard work but it's worth it,"

Nixon looked at me with awe which made my heart beat ten times faster. The way he affected me was overwhelming sometimes.

"What about your mom?"

As soon as Nixon asked my heart stopped and I felt a lodge in between my throat. I was rarely asked this question. I guess that's a perk of not having many friends.

"She-uh, she died when I was two," I looked down at my hands, fiddling with them as I answered.

Even though I barely got to know my mom it was a hard subject for me to talk about. Luckily Nixon seemed to catch on. He squeezed my good hand to let me know that it was okay and he decided to change the topic with another question which I was grateful for.

"Why aren't your brothers interested in the family business?" He asked with curiosity.

"Well Jake was always the science geek and loves working with people so he chose to be a doctor. And Aiden, well he's into sports," I looked up warily at mentioning Aiden's name realising what I had done. Part of me was scared that Nixon had the same hatred for my brother. But his expression never changed.

He looked in thought. "Aiden. He's a year older than us?"

Oh sugar balls, he's bringing up Aiden. My heart started to race faster with anxiety but I had to ask right? Maybe Nixon could enlighten me on their situation. "Yeah he's in his senior year. Do you know him?" I was worried Nixon would see right through me but to my surprise and relief, he didn't react.

"His name sounds familiar but no, don't know him," Nixon answered with an unwavered expression.

Huh. Looking down to make sure Nixon didn't notice, my eyes slightly widened in surprise. What the fudge? So why does Aiden have so much hatred for a guy who doesn't even know him?

Then the one thought which I pushed to the back of my mind crept its way forward. What about slutty Stacey? If he doesn't know my brother how does he know my brother's girlfriend?

I know what I saw that day. The pair were definitely talking. I had purposely avoided the topic of why I left the restaurant that day, because now wasn't the time. I had forgiven the whole ordeal even though I really wanted answers. But now wasn't the time.

For now, all I know is that something wasn't right.

Either Nixon was a really good liar or there's something missing from Aiden. Both of these options scared me but either way I'm going to make sure I find out eventually. With a million questions and possibilities running through my mind, my thoughts were interrupted when Nixon stroked the back of his hand across my cheek.

"Hey don't worry. Your brothers will come around too. They'll be the hardest, but it's nothing I can't handle,"

I looked at him nodding, not wanting to share my real thoughts. I took Nixon's hand in mine and squeezed it lightly.

"You sure you don't wanna run for the hills?" I chuckled lightly.

"Of course not," He replied with a serious expression and I smiled. My thoughts drifted elsewhere and I decided to change the topic.

"Nixon, if you don't mind me asking what about your dad? You've not mentioned him," I looked at him warily but my curiosity got the best of me. I understand what it's like having someone ask about a parent who isn't in your life.

"I wish he was dead," Nixon scoffed. I flinched at his tone of voice and at what he said but his expression immediately softened realising what he'd done.

"I'm sorry," He pecked me softly on my lips, which I returned.

Sighing deeply Nixon explained. "He's your typical deadbeat dad. Came home drunk every night and it was my mom who took most of the shit. He used to stroll in shouting abuse to us but after Nova was born things got worse. I saw him hit my mom. And that was it. I told him to fuck off and to never come back here again," His fists were clenched and his jaw was tense as he explained.

"I can't believe your mom went through that. I'm so sorry Nixon," I reached forward for a hug and without thinking he pulled me into his chest, resting his chin on top of my head.

"Him being gone is for the better. It's just a shame Nova will never get to experience having a good father,"

"But she has you. I've seen you with her, you're her father figure as well as a big brother,"

"You think so?"

"I know so," I replied and hugged him tighter.

I sighed in content.

****

Three hours, a movie that we barely watched in the background and a tub of ice cream later it was time for me to go home, much to my dismay.

Before you ask, we barely watched because we were too busy doing other things. And by that I mean a little making out on the couch. My lips still feel slightly tingly. It was so awesome.

Reluctantly, I also had to change out of Nixon's clothes putting mine back on from last night. He saw the face I made before going up and changing so he offered me his t shirt to keep.

My hero.

We eventually settled into his car and Nixon roared it to life. Now that is a beautiful sound I will never get used to. I gave Nixon my address and directions as he drove.

I noticed that there was a change in the atmosphere between us. It was comforting. I didn't feel nervous around him anymore.

Well that's a lie, I do get nervous sometimes but a good nervous. I definitely feel like I can be more myself around him, as could he. I was slowly getting to know the real Nixon Ford, a thought which made my heart warm.

As we drove further away, the homes in the neighborhoods got bigger. The way Nixon's eyes were widening as he stared at them was a little amusing.

We finally reached my house and Nixon parked up on the sidewalk. Having a quick peek through the gate and up our driveway, no cars were there which meant no Dad or brothers. Phew.

"Wow nugget I didn't know you had this much money," Nixon looked in surprise.

"I don't. My dad does,"

His head turned to face and he gave me a look which I didn't recognise.

I looked at him confused. "What is it?"

"You don't come off as the rich snobby type,"

"Well I hope not," I chuckled lightly.

Nixon leaned towards me, giving me a long kiss. "Another thing I like about you Mara Ellsworth," He was breathing heavily and so was I.

His kisses manage to make me literally lose my breath. Every. Damn. Time.

"I should go,"

Nodding, Nixon gave me one last peck on my forehead and I turned to get out. Closing the door behind me I turned back to give him a smile before I put the gate's code in and walked up the drive.

Ten minutes later and I was laying like a starfish on my bed. Smiling to myself the thoughts of our kiss crept their way forward and absentmindedly my hands went to my lips.

I had my first kiss.

And it was with Nixon Ford.

Holy sugar balls.