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Because she was so much shorter, she had to stretch to accomplish the task, and the move left only a fraction of space between them. One deep breath and she’d be flush against him… With a gentle pull, she urged his head to bow toward hers. She must have risen onto her toes at the same time because that last bit of space between them disappeared and their lips made contact.
Closing his eyes, he kissed her back, but only lightly, allowing himself this final goodbye. See, he could do this. One soft, sweet, goodbye kiss…
Then she made a little noise and went all boneless against him, her fingers biting into his shoulders. His arms tightened around her. Sliding the fingers of one hand up to the back of her neck, he curved the other around her hip and kissed her with everything he had.
Like it was the last time.
Because it was, he realized when she whispered his name. He had to stop this. He pulled away slightly. Her fingers bunched the fabric of his shirt and she laid her cheek against his chest. Tag rested his chin on the top of her head while he waited for his breathing to slow.
A long moment passed before she let out a soft chuckle and said, “Too tall, maybe. But definitely not too old.”
Taking one of her hands, he tucked it in his and pulled her toward the sofa, urging her down next to him. He had to let her go even as he wondered how it could possibly hurt this much when he barely knew her. But he knew enough. And if she was older, then he would learn everything. But she wasn’t.
“Surely you’re not still going to give me the speech? After that?”
He allowed himself a final moment to enjoy the sensation of her skin against his before he released her. “Yes, I am. Because the fact is that you are closer in age to Gareth and every other senior in high school than you are to me.”
“I don’t care. I don’t even know how old you are.”
“Great.” His head fell back on the sofa. “That does not make it better.”
“Forty?” she guessed.
“Close.”
“Forty-five?”
“Seriously? I look forty-five to you?”
She shrugged. “No, but from the way you’re acting I figured it had to be higher.”
“That would for sure mean a midlife crisis,” he muttered.
“What?” she asked with a laugh.
“Nothing. I’m thirty-eight.”
She brightened. “See? Not even forty. It’s all good!”
“No, it’s not. It is not good at all. This is not going to happen.”
“Well, I’ve got news for you, Grandpa, something already did. Twice. And I, for one, can’t wait to do it again.”
“Ally…” Her name came out like a groan. “Okay, I’ll admit we’ve got a… I don’t even know what to call this.” He gestured helplessly between them. “But physical attraction isn’t a basis for a relationship.”
She looked offended. “I know that. I’m not attracted to you because of the way you look or because we happen to have some killer chemistry here, although you are gorgeous and this—” she gestured happily between them “—is pretty fun.”
“You’re not?” And it wasn’t fun. Not to him. At least, not in a good way. Because it just made everything even more difficult and somehow increased his guilt exponentially.
“No, and that’s not why you like me, either. We didn’t feel anything the first couple times we met, did we? Except for irritation. I didn’t even remember who you were at one point and you thought I was a crackpot. Maybe still do, a bit.”
This was true, mostly. “Crackpot is kind of a strong term.”
She chuckled. “Don’t start pulling the political correctness card on me now. I know what you thought of me. And I thought you were just another arrogant know-it-all. I’m attracted to you because you’re not those things. You are confident and smart and incredibly thoughtful and kind. You love your family, and from what I’ve seen you’re extra good to them all, especially your sisters. You’re also a paramedic, a decent basketball player and an excellent pilot, and I’ll admit I find that particular skill set highly attractive.”
Toast. He was toast. How was he supposed to resist this—her? He was 100 percent certain he’d never been tested this way in his entire life. And he’d thought running for the senate was going to be his biggest challenge.
