“It wasn’t a bad party.” Randi winced.
Eden smirked. “It was bad, until midnight.” Why was it so hard to breathe? Eden had been trying to take deep breaths to calm her racing heart. She felt Randi’s thumb gently stroking across her hand. She looked into Randi’s eyes and smiled.
“You knew how upset I was because Amy evidently didn’t want to start the New Year with me.”
“Dumb bitch,” Randi mumbled.
Eden smirked.
“Sorry, you know how I feel about her.”
“I do.” Eden nodded. “Anyway, you were determined to make me feel better and orchestrated a New Year’s kiss for me by standing in for Amy. Do you remember?”
“I remember,” Randi said just above a whisper.
Eden noticed the darkness all around them because she could see the stars reflecting in Randi’s eyes. They had softened just like the tone of her voice. She wondered if Randi’s heart was beating out of control just like hers.
Eden leaned a little closer and quietly said, “You told me to imagine Amy that night. Remember?”
Randi’s head moved ever so slightly and she leaned closer.
“I wasn’t kissing Amy,” Eden whispered. “I was kissing you and I’ve wanted to kiss you again so many times.”
Eden saw Randi’s eyes flutter then close. She could feel the heat of their breath then their lips touched in a warm, soft kiss. Her heart stopped, butterflies came to life in her stomach, and all her bones vanished from her body.
Randi pulled her lips away and Eden felt a moment of sadness. Why did this have to end so soon?
“Better than New Year’s,” Randi whispered against Eden’s lips.
Before Eden could respond Randi’s lips were on hers again. There was nothing tentative or hesitant as their lips pressed together seeking and exploring. Eden reached up with one of her hands and curled her fingers around the back of Randi’s neck holding their lips in place. If this was the last kiss she shared with Randi Powell she was going to make it last.
A soft whimper sounded in the air around them and Eden wasn’t sure if it came from her or Randi. All thoughts left her brain when she felt Randi’s fingers caress her cheek and their tongues touched for the first time.
Eden melted against Randi and slid her hand around Randi’s waist. Their tongues began a battle with their moans as the soundtrack. Eden sucked Randi’s bottom lip into her mouth and gently bit down as Randi’s arm tightened around her.
Eden had no idea how long they had been kissing, but she was afraid to stop because then the spell could be broken. Would Randi pull away? How could she explain what just happened? One thing Eden knew for sure, Randi was kissing her back.Theywere kissing and it was better than any kiss Eden had had before.
When they finally pulled apart, both gasping for air, Eden didn’t see questions in Randi’s eyes. She saw happiness.
“Let’s go inside,” Eden said.
“What about the shooting stars?”
“I just got my wish.” Eden smiled. “I’m hoping for more.”
She stood up and offered Randi her hand.
“Should we talk?” Randi asked, letting Eden pull her up.
“That’s something I would say.”
Randi chuckled. “This is more important than anything that’s ever happened to us.”
Eden cupped the side of Randi’s face. “We need to talk about the feelings we’ve obviously been trying to hide from one another, but I’d really rather show you right now. We have all night to talk.”
They left the blankets, pillows, and beer on the ground as Eden pulled them into the house. She led them directly to the bedroom. Randi had been in this room many times and even spent a night or two in Eden’s bed, but the new energy and excitement that surrounded them filled the space.
When they reached the foot of the bed, Randi stopped and Eden turned to face her.
