I start to pull away but decide to go back in to kiss him on the cheek. That’s innocent enough PDA to be acceptable in front of a child, right? But he turns at the last second, and half my mouth lands on half of his. My heart rate kicks up, a swarm of butterflies buzzing through my chest as I sink back onto my heels.
His dark gaze is stuck on me like he’ll never look away again. In the spirit of doing too much, I’m tempted to throw caution aside and lean up a third time for a full kiss. But Jovie’s snickers dampen that urge, reminding me less is more. Especially in front of a chatty ten-year-old girl who’s likely to relay everything that happened here tonight to the rest of her family.
Possibly with embellishments.
“Thanks for coming.” If he can tell from my breathy voice that I want to linger on our goodbye, there’s nothing I can do about that now.
His throat bobs as he swallows. That movement is ridiculously sexy, the corded line of his neck just begging for a kiss. A slow caress, bare minimum. Since when have I noticed necks?
Since Reed Bridger, that’s when.
“Thanks for having me.”
Jovie breaks out into fresh giggles, covering her face like we’re doing much more than standing here making eyes at each other.
“Us.” Reed clears his throat, his intense gaze fading. “Thanks for inviting us.”
“Anytime.”
They head out, and I lock up behind them. My body tingling like I’m floating on a cloud, I turn to find the cat sitting on the stairs, watching me.
“What do you think, Stormy? Should I fall in love with him?”
He meows at me, offering a slow blink. Our first conversation. Feels like a sign.
“You’re right. It’s too late to stop it now.”
I’m already falling. I just don’t know whether he’ll be waiting to catch me, or if I’m about to hit the ground.
text thread
Rose: I looked up sturgeons
Rose: They’re horrifying
Rose: Are they really in rivers around here?
Reed: Lakes, mostly
Reed: Good eating, if they’re caught in fresh water
Rose: They look like dinosaurs
Reed: Is it the bony fins that bother you?
Rose: Obviously
Rose: And their beards
Reed: You don’t like beards?
Rose: I like your beard
Rose: Fish beards are gross squiggly fingers
Rose: Not like your beard
Reed: They use them to catch their prey
