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“Oh God, don’t do that. I’m so ticklish,” she said, grabbing my hand.
“Oh… are you now?” I grabbed her side once again as she laughed hard, forgetting about the movie.
“Yes, please…stop…” she said, laughing hard as I continued tickling her.
She grabbed my hand. “Please, Asher,” she pleaded, out of breath, continuing to laugh, “Please, stop.”
“Okay… okay…” I said, holding my hands up as if I were innocent. I pulled her into me. “Now, behave yourself. Let’s watch the rest of the movie.”
* * *
When the credits rolled,I felt Bella stretch. I rubbed her arm just as she sat up. She let out a yawn and stretched again.
“Did you fall asleep?” I questioned, stretching myself.
“Perhaps.” She smiled, grabbing our plates and glasses, then heading toward the kitchen. “You are very warm, and I was very comfortable.”
“I see. I’m warm and comfortable?”
I followed her to the kitchen and stood in the doorway, watching as she slipped everything into her dishwasher.
“You are.” She shrugged and giggled, turning to me and wrapping herself around me again.
I really liked this girl, and I knew I needed to get out of here before I made a mistake and kissed her. Her lips had been on my mind all night, and I’d almost kissed her once before while tickling her. “Well, I should get going,” I said, glancing at my watch to see that it was almost midnight.
She nodded. “I guess morning does come early.”
I turned and made my way to the door, sliding on my shoes. I wished I wasn’t in the position I was, just having had my heart broken. I wished I’d met her under better circumstances and that I was ready to move forward into another relationship. Only when I looked over to see her standing against the wall, watching me, I was sure I saw a hint of want in her eyes.
“Thank you for today and tonight.”
“Of course,” I said, making my way over to her and placing my hand against the wall above her head. “I had a wonderful time.” I looked down into her eyes, brushing a strand of hair out of the way.
She looked up at me. “Call me?” she questioned. “I’m off this week.”
God, it didn’t matter how much I knew I shouldn’t kiss her, how much I wasn’t ready. All I could think about was what her lips would feel like against mine. This wasn’t the first time this thought had passed through my mind today. I’d thought about it this morning over breakfast. Then on the way up the coast. Then many times as we got close enough in the antique mall, and throughout the movie. Yet I hadn’t done it. I’d restrained myself. Even when she’d slipped her hand slowly into mine, I’d held back.
“I think I can do that,” I whispered. “Of course, you can always call me as well.”
She nodded and bit her bottom lip as she stared into my eyes.
Her eyes said everything I needed to know. I could feel the push and pull between us. It hadn’t been my imagination; it had gotten progressively stronger all day, and now it was so strong I couldn’t fight it any longer. The room grew quiet, the noise from the TV falling away, and I swallowed hard. I leaned in slowly, bringing my lips to hers, grazing them.
My body instantly lit up as her lips met mine. The kiss started out slow, each of us unsure. I didn’t move; I didn’t want to scare her, but when I felt her left hand slide around my waist and the right rest against my chest, I claimed her mouth.
She let out a small moan and gripped the front of my shirt as I swept my tongue through her mouth. I pulled her tightly against me, kissing her harder when someone knocked on the door.
Our lips parted, and I brushed a loose strand of hair from her eyes as she looked up at me. “Want me to get that?” I asked quietly, silently praying she said no.
Another knock, this one a little more urgent. I looked down at her and she nodded her head.
I unlocked the door and pulled the door open to see a woman I vaguely recognized but couldn’t place. She stood there in sweatpants and a sweatshirt. Her hair was an absolute mess, and she was holding a small, sleeping child.
“Oh. I’m…” She glanced at the number on the door. “Um, is Bella…”
I felt Bella’s body press up against mine and her hand on my arm as she peeked her head around me. “Brie, is everything okay?” she questioned, alarm filling her voice.
“The alarm went off at The Cooling Rack, Sawyers at work and, well, I have to go. Can Emma stay here with you? I’m sorry to… um… ruin your evening,” she said, glancing to me, then back to Bella.
