His mind wandered back to the night she’d called things off between them. No explanation. No conversation. Simply a tearful,It will never work, followed by a cataclysmal kiss goodbye.
Her lips had tasted bittersweet, like forbidden fruit dipped in pink Himalayan salt. And the all-consuming craving lingered long after she’d walked away.
Grant closed his eyes, longing to remember.
At first, he thought he was dreaming as the feather-soft kiss grazed his lips. But as it deepened, awareness ripped through him.
Grant’s hand instinctively found Eliza’s waist, pulling her against his body. She fit so perfectly, as though they were never meant to be apart. The moisture from her damp dress seeped through his clothing, but he didn’t care. He barely even noticed as he concentrated on the feel of her soft skin, her sweet, intoxicating taste.
Their kiss grew urgent, almost desperate, as though they both knew this would be their last.
His lips, fingers, toes… everything tingled. Grant felt at once acutely aware of every imperceptible sensation and yet oblivious to anything beyond the confines of their kiss.
He sensed himself slipping away, too willing to get lost in the moment, regardless of the consequences.
But he needed to think. This was too much. Too fast.
He couldn’t sort out one emotion from the next.
Pulling away, Grant pressed his forehead to hers, breathing in her honey-scented shampoo. “I’m sorry. I… need some time.”
“I understand,” she whispered, dropping her hands to her side.
As soon as she did, Grant missed her touch.
But getting some space in order to think more clearly would be a good thing.
Healthy. Responsible. Rational.
And maybe if he repeated the words often enough, he’d actually believe them.
Chapter 28
The crunch of Ben’s suitcase across the gravel drive pounded in Eliza’s ears like ominous thunder. Yet there wasn’t a single cloud in the brilliant blue sky. The bright, cheery sun and twittering sparrows were oblivious to the unfortunate event unfolding before them.
Eliza glowered, raising a hand to shield her eyes from the offending sunlight.
This couldn’t be happening so soon; she needed more time to prepare.
After their kiss, brief as it was, Eliza had dared to hope Grant had forgiven her. Perhaps even been willing to give her another chance.
But here they were….
Worlds apart, though only on opposite ends of the driveway.
Grant leaned against the side of his car, his hands stuffed inside his pockets, shoulders slumped. When he heard them approach, he straightened, yanking his hands free, raking them through his hair instead.
As they drew closer, it became harder for Eliza to lift her feet. Halfway down the drive, they stopped working all together. Falling to her knees, she gathered Ben into her arms, burying her face in his soft, unruly hair.
“Mom?” he murmured, small and uncertain.
Drawing strength from the deepest part of herself, Eliza pulled back, offering a reassuring smile. “What is it, Bug?”
“Can you come with me?”
“Oh, honey. I can’t. Not this time.” She swallowed the shakiness in her voice, keeping the smile firmly in place. “But you two will have a lot of fun together, I promise.”
Ben shot a sideways glance at Grant, appearing unconvinced. “When will you come get me?”
