“Better…” He tilted his head side to side as though mulling it over. “But not great. Work on it.”
“Gladly.” I smiled sweetly.
“Let’s move on. Read this with me and then say it out loud.”
He slid the notebook and turned to a page where large block letters filled half the page. He started and I joined in with him, “Around the rugged rocks the ragged rascal ran.”
He looked expectantly at me. “Okay, now you.”
I repeated the phrase. He studied my mouth closely and frowned.
“No.”
“What? I said it!” I didn’t like how close he was and how his mouth moved slightly as I spoke.
“You mumbled it. Think of the words you’re saying. Enunciate.” As he spoke the last word he moved his mouth dramatically.
“Around the rugged rocks the ragged rascal ran.”
“Again.”
“Around the rugged rocks the ragged rascal ran.”
“No. No. You aren’t listening.” He grabbed my hand and placed it on his chin.
His short beard was prickly and his skin was warm. This close, his scent surrounded me. It was spicy and clean, like a pine Christmas candle, but not so strong. There was an earthy smell underneath it too, like chalk or something. I liked it.
“Feel how my jaw moves,” he said. “You’re very observant and quick to learn. Watch my lips.”
His compliment caused my heart to skip. I'd never been described as quick. I'd been called fast though. I cupped his chin with both hands, our faces less than a foot apart. It was shockingly intimate. I smirked at the silliness of this situation.
“Around the rugged rocks the ragged rascal ran.” As he spoke, the muscles of his cheeks worked up and down, moving my hands with him. Who knew his jaw was so sharp and strong? His full lips moved with purpose.
I licked my own lips.
“Did you feel that?” he asked in a soft, scratchy voice.
I nodded once. I felt a lot of things just then. My hands dropped to my lap.
He lifted his arms and I stilled. He brushed my hair back off my shoulders and cupped my chin as I had just cupped his. His large hands reached almost all the way around my throat and his thumbs rested on my chin.
“Now, try again.”
I spoke the phrase slowly and deliberately. As I did, his mouth moved along with me. His thumb hovered above my lips, grazing my bottom lip as I finished.
We sat staring at each other. My gaze moved from his frowning lips to his furrowed brow. “Good.” He spoke hoarsely, cleared his throat then added, “Better.”
I made a sound somewhere between thank you and “ungh.”
“Let’s try this tongue twister.” He blinked away and placed his notebook between us. He studied the page for several seconds. “Okay.”
I looked to the page and read alongside him. “Grey geese in a green field grazing.”
“Now you.”
“Grey geese in a green field grazing.”
He frowned.
