He released a rasp of amusement. “Britt. I’ve been wanting to give dating you a try since I was fourteen.”
“You’re not worried?”
“About what?”
“That our dating relationship will crash and burn, which will end up ruining everything between us?”
He thought about it for a drawn-out space of time. His attention traveled down to her lips, held there, then returned to her eyes. “I’m terrified.” He moved in even closer.
She positioned her bare feet between his dress shoes and lifted her chin. She could feel his breath on her lips, and her heart was racing at what felt like double its usual speed. Until now, Zander’slove for her had been hypothetical. She hadn’t known how she’d feel if and when she came face-to-face with the reality of it.
Now she knew. She wasn’t scared. She definitely didn’t want to run. The opposite, in fact. Despite her track record with men, regardless of the epic disaster that might be looming—she wanted this. She was willing to accept a level of danger in exchange for the opportunity of more with him.
He inclined his face toward hers with exquisite deliberation, seeming to test every nuance of her response.
She caught her bottom lip in her teeth. Let it go. Patience wasn’t usually her thing, but she made herself wait. If he could draw out the anticipation of pleasure, then so could she.
His eyelids sunk closed. His lips met hers. In less than a second, the kiss turned passionate. His hands framed her face. Her hands wound behind his neck and insistently pulled him closer.
The rest of the universe ceased to exist. No sounds penetrated but those they were making. No heat but that which they were building. No sensations but these. No people in the world but him. She’d been waiting for this kiss for days that felt like years.
Zander communicated his devotion to her clearly. She expressed that she adored him and depended on him and understood him. She could stand on this spot and kiss him all night....
Except for the fact that she was MIA from Nora’s wedding.
Oh, who cared? She could kiss him for just a little while longer.
After a few more minutes passed, she forced herself to lean back.
He regarded her through hazy eyes.
“I should probably get back to the reception, seeing as how it’s my sister’s reception, and I’m a bridesmaid.” She promptly ruined the effect of her words by kissing the edge of his jaw.
“I agree.” He kissed her forehead.
“Someone might begin to wonder where I am.” She hugged him tighter.
“You’re right.” He trailed kisses toward her collarbone.
Gasping, she angled her head to the side to grant him better access.
“You’re right,” he said again, this time with more clarity and force. He lifted his head. “I’ll go back in with you.”
“Okay.”It would be good, Britt, if you could make yourself move now.
He gave her a wolfish smile. It was rare to see him smile like that, which made it all the more powerful.
She slipped on her shoes, and they walked toward the reception. When they’d almost reached their destination, she pulled him to a halt. “It might not be the best idea to steal Nora’s thunder in any way tonight.”
“No hand-holding at the reception? No kissing? No one the wiser?” He’d read her mind.
“Exactly. You and I are the wiser, though. Which feels like enough for now.”
“More than enough.”
Their eyes met and the knowing look in his caused her senses to leap with delight.
“What are your plans after this?” she asked.
