I set the saw on the ground and turn to face him. His nose is pink, cheeks too, but his eyes are the brightest blue as they stare back at me full of questions.
I’m not sure the answers I have are what he’s looking for, but there’s only one way to find out. I wet my bottom lip, uncharacteristically nervous. When Reed’s gaze dips to my mouth, I thinkfuck it. “I want to kiss you.” My heart stutters as I watch the words sink in, see the mix of emotions play across his face—surprise, delight, and if I’m not mistakenhunger.
After what seems like an eternity, he steps closer. “I want that too.” Before I’ve processed that sentence, he adds, “But we said it was a bad idea.”
“I know we did.” Somewhere inside my head the sensible part of me is desperately trying to backtrack and get out of this conversation, but it’s easy enough to ignore with Reed so close and looking at me like I’m the most delicious temptation. “I didn’t realise how hard it would be to stick to that.”
His lips curve as he says, “I’ve only been here a week.”
“I know.”
Voices drift across the field, I know we’re not alone out here, but with Reed’s gaze locked on mine it sure feels that way.
He sighs. “What are we doing, Jerry?”
My breath hitches, we’re so close now it’s killing me not to wrap my arms around him, but once again Sean’s words come back to me.
Communication is key.
“I don’t know,” I say honestly. “But maybe we could talk about it when we get back home?”
His eyes are closed, making it hard to tell what he’s thinking, and I hold my breath waiting for his reply.
It seems like years pass before he sucks in a breath that sounds full of purpose and lifts his head to look at me. “Yeah.” It’s only one tiny word, but it has the power to send my pulse racing with everything it promises. “But there’s something I want to do first, and I don’t think I can wait until we get back to do it.”
Oh god, please, please, please be what I think it is.
I’m so full of nervous excitement, I’m surprised I can get the words out to say, “And what’s that?”
“I’d like that kiss you promised me.”
“Fuck,yes!” I didn’t mean to say that out loud, but Reed’s sudden smile is so breathtaking that I’m glad it slipped out.
He reaches up to cradle my jaw in his hands, his fuckingcoldhands, but they could be blocks of ice for all I care because his lips are soft and warm as he leans in and kisses me.
This is the third kiss we’ve shared, but unlike the first two, I think—hope—that this is going to lead to something more. Not a relationship, because I still don’t think Reed is in a position to want or offer that right now. He’s had a lot of upheaval already in his life and no way do I want to add to it. But a little fun with someone he trusts? That I can do.
I want to do it.
Can I keep my feelings out of it? No. But then I don’t want to. I like sex more when feelings are involved, but I will need to manage my expectations.
Reed tilts his head, deepening our kiss, and that’s enough of a reminder to get out of my head before I give him the impression I’m not enjoying this, because I am. I finally wrap my arms around him and pull him close, trying to keep in mind that we’re in a public place.
I tease his tongue with mine. The quiet groan it pulls from him has me regretfully drawing back when it’s the last thing I want to do. I close my eyes as I catch my breath.
“Why did you stop?” he whispers, still cradling my jaw. His thumbs stroke the stubble along my cheeks, and I open my eyes to find him watching me.
“Because it would be so easy to get caught up kissing you, and I’m not sure I’d remember that we’re not alone. Pretty sure neither of us wants to be arrested for lewd behaviour.”
He grins. “Lewd behaviour? It sounds so dirty when you say it like that.”
I give him a pointed look, raised eyebrows and all, becauseduh. I guess I should expect the eye roll I get in return, but his grin never wavers.
“Promise me we’ll get up to somelewd behaviourwhen we get home.”
I love hearing him call my househome. It sends a little thrill through me. I know it’s only short term, but there’s no law that says I can’t enjoy it for now. “I promise,” I say quickly when I realise I haven’t answered. It’s the easiest promise I’ve ever made.
Choosing the tree we’re stood in front of is just as easy, but I’ll tell you what isn’t fucking easy and that’s cutting the thing down.
