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“Crazy about me?” He reaches up to smooth back my hair again since the breeze keeps blowing it across my face.
“Yes. Crazy about you. You notice people in a way that almost no one else does. You know what other people are thinking and feeling, and it matters to you. Most people aren’t like that, Chase. You’re...”
I’ve maybe let a rush of feelings get a bit out of control. I’m babbling out all kinds of things that I might not have done on reassessment.
But Chase is leaning down toward me. There’s an urgency on his face I almost never see. Like he wants to hear more. Like he’s reaching for it. Like hearing what I’m saying is really important to him.
If it matters to him, then it matters to me, so I finish the thought. “You’re special, Chase. In so many ways. And... and, for some of us, our worlds just wouldn’t be the same—wouldn’t be nearly so good—without you.” My voice breaks on the last two words.
He makes a weird throaty sound. Leans down closer to me. I know what’s in his eyes right now. The hot promise of the need I see there.
I could stop him if I wanted, but stopping him is the last thing I want.
I tighten my hand on his neck and pull him down toward me faster.
Then he’s kissing me, and I’m kissing him back.
It doesn’t start light and questioning like our first kiss. This one is deep and urgent and needy from the very beginning. His mouth is hungry and demanding, and his hand tightens around a fistful of my hair. I open my mouth against his and try to suck his tongue into my mouth.
He turns us around so my back is against the rail. He holds my head with a grip on my hair and deepens the kiss even more.
Pleasure and excitement are slamming into me in hot waves. I’m making silly whimpering sounds against his mouth.
His free hand slides down to cup my bottom over my jeans. I love how it feels there. The possessiveness of the touch.
The kiss lasts for what feels like a long time. Maybe it’s only a couple of minutes. All the feeling and desire coursing through me feels like too much for my body to hold.
I’m honestly not sure what I might have ended up doing had a child’s laughter from near us not broken through our hot, hungry haze.
We break apart and look over to see the family who was playing in the sand has come back up to the deck. The kids are giggling at us.
Confused and embarrassed and still excited, I giggle too and hide my face in Chase’s sweater until they’ve gone inside.
He leans down to whisper in my ear, “It’s safe now. They’re out of sight.”
I straighten up, flushed and jittery. I wonder what he’ll say now. If he wants to kiss me again. If he wants to do even more.
With the way I’m feeling right now, I’m not sure I’ll be capable of saying no.
He tilts his head to brush my lips lightly with his. He says, “I know. We can’t do that anymore. I totally get it, and I’ll never push you for more. But I’ve had a really good evening. Thank you for spending it with me.”
I blink up at him, surprised. Kind of relieved and kind of disappointed.
But we said we’d keep our relationship a friendship, and kissing more is not the way to do that. He’s trying to be good, and I appreciate it. I need to be good too.
So I smile up at him and say sincerely, “I’ve had a really good time too, so thank you.”
Six
PAIGE: Where are you?
Chase: Sorry. Running on beach.
Paige: What time did you wake up?
Chase: 6. Left you a note.
Paige: You did? I didn’t see it! Hold on.
