Silence fell between them thick as fudge. Reese wanted at least a hug before they parted. Something so she could feel Matty against her once more. Just a little more connection, then she’d go upstairs and spend the rest of the night reliving how amazing Matty’s arm felt around her. Maybe daydream about what those rough hands would feel like against her bare skin.
Matty’s voice cleared the thought from her mind. “Uh, well, I guess I should go. It’s getting late.”
“Yeah, it’s a little cold out here, too.”
They didn’t move for a solid thirty seconds before Matty lifted her arms. “Come here.”
Those words were like a command she couldn’t deny. She immediately shifted her purse on her shoulder so she could wrap both arms around Matty.
It was just as wonderful as earlier. Being embraced by Matty made her feel safe. It had been so long since another person had made her feel safe. So long since someone other than Haley actually cared about her.
She pulled back, giving Matty the opportunity to kiss her. And for a moment, she was sure it was going to happen. Matty’s eyes dropped to her mouth. Her lips parted like she meant to lean in, but then she stilled. Reese felt the hesitation in the hand at her waist, in the shallow hitch of her breath, in the way her teeth briefly nibbled at the corner of her own lip. Matty wanted to kiss her. Reese knew she did. But she was nervous. Cautious of getting it wrong. And somehow that made the moment even sweeter.
Fuck it.
She reached up, cupping the back of her head, then pressed her lips against Matty’s, and once again the world fell away.
Her insides melted as Matty instantly kissed her back, pulling Reese against her tightly. The chill of the night disappeared beneath the heat of their bodies. A shiver ran through her as Matty’s lips moved against hers, soft at first and then with more pressure, like she had been wanting this just as badly. Matty’s fingertips pressed hard into her back while Reese’s fingers finally got to thread through her hair. She’d wanted to touch it since the first time she saw her, and now the silky strands were finally hers.
After a couple of minutes, they parted, hands sliding together as they gulped air like they had just remembered they needed it.
“That was...wow,” Matty finished lamely, but Reese understood. Words were hard when your body had a mind of its own.
“Yeah, 'wow' is about right. I—I’d really like to move this upstairs, but I think that would be too much too soon. Don’t you?” Vulnerability laced her words. She needed Matty to help her know it was the right decision. She tightened her grip on Matty’s hand.
Matty squeezed back, stepping closer and cupping her cheek with her free hand. “Hey, this is whatever we want and at whatever speed we want, okay? We’ve both been through some shit. It makes sense to take our time.”
A heavy weight left Reese’s shoulders. She nodded, taking comfort in Matty’s words. “You’re right. There doesn’t have to be a timeline.”
“Right. Besides, it’s kinda hot to get this worked up and hold out. It makes it more exciting, don’t you think?”
Reese laughed. “It does add a little anticipation to it.”
“Well, I should probably get going. I need to go home and replay this moment in my head a hundred times.”
“Same.”
They shared a laugh, then a light kiss, before bidding each other goodnight. It would be a night Reese didn’t think she would ever forget.
Chapter twenty-one
Chapter Twenty-one
“Was this really necessary?” grunted Kerrie as she toted a roll of craft paper downstairs to the basement.
“What? I think it’ll be a fun Group.”
“You couldn’t just use printer paper?”
“Absolutely not. That would take all the fun out of it.”
Reese had been surprised to discover a huge roll of craft paper in the hoard. How Joyce had managed to get it into the house was beyond Reese. It had to weigh at least fifty pounds and was three feet wide. It still had the original seal, keeping it from unraveling.
“But at least then my back wouldn’t go out.”
They arrived at the bottom of the stairs, where Kerrie deposited it with a thunk to the ground. Her breath was labored.
Reese tilted her head as she put her hands on her hips. “You didn’t have to carry it for me.”
