Page 22 of Fall Love

A blast of cold air rushed at my back, slithering up my pant legs and crawling along my spine, tickling the fine hairs at the base of my neck, and I pitched forward.

Strong arms suddenly circled my waist, tugging me into his chest. “Whoa,” he whispered.

“Did you feel that?” I questioned, certain it had all been a mistake. The wind wasn’t that forceful. And what was I thinking? Wishing upon a well?

This was ridiculous.

“Yeah,” I muttered, ignoring my own question and his ability to answer. With a gentle tug, I pulled free from the embrace and spun to face him. Loneliness washed over me next, and I shivered once more in the chilly winter night.

He cupped my cheek and met my eyes.

And then, he kissed me. The sweetest, softest kiss I might have ever experienced. Sad and simple, mirroring my own feelings.

We were alone, together.

And before he could get away, I caught the back of his neck and crushed my mouth to his, deepening the kiss. Tongue lashing forward, seeking his. Mouth opening like I could drink him in. Pouring myself into the kiss. Heating my lips with his.

Another rush started at my chilled toes and flamed up my body, nearly engulfing me.

I swallowed him in. His taste. His tenderness. This spark of something I didn’t recognize.

He shivered, and I pulled away. “Let’s get in the truck.”

Next thing, I was lifted in his arms, cradled against his chest. I let out a squeak, then giggled like a teenager. He swallowed down the tee-hee by kissing me as he crossed the short, frozen lawn.

Once at the side of the truck, I opened the passenger door, and he set me inside. I slid over to allow him to enter after me. The old door creaked and then softly slammed. A marker to start a new time clock.

I couldn’t scramble to his lap fast enough.

Although we each wore a costume that was more like a full-body suit, we wiggled out of the outfits as best we could and proved Driver did indeed like to be ridden.

CHAPTER 9

[Neve]

The memory rushes over me, sending shockwaves to a part of me long ignored.

Has he forgotten that night? Or does he remember?

My hand on the ceiling, the other on the seatback behind him. My hips rocking, sliding up and down him, taking him into my body.

I squeeze my legs together, which does nothing to quell the sudden rush of desire. The flood of memories about him filling me as I straddled his lap in the Bronco. I could have taken him to my house, but we climbed into the back of that freezing truck for round two and huddled under a sleeping bag and two blankets.

A tradition in the area is to rush into the bay in your NYE attire. Those who dared the cold waves were assured of achieving a goal for the new year, but I’d already set my wish.

And the well had failed me.

Running my hand over my belly, I finish the last of my small sample, avoiding Tate’s eyes on me.

“Hey, I see Jackie and Maeve from school. I’m gonna go say hi,” Isolde says.

“Don’t leave me,” I mutter. “You’re my ride.”

“Actually, you’re my ride.” She points at me as she’s already backing up. “But you have some explaining to do.” She points between me and Tate. “I can find a ride home.”

“I’ll take you,” Landon offers, a goofy grin on his face. “Will you show me the otter?”

“Ugh,” Isolde rolls her eyes and does an about-face, giving the table her back as she weaves through the crowd.