“Sorry I was gone so long.” The door clicks closed behind her. “They have this huge gift shop by the main office with a wide variety of items in it. It’s like three stores in one. I bought a few things to use for decor for the camper.”
I don’t even think as I move forward and wrap my arms around her, cradling her so close that her chin rests on my shoulder. After a moment, her spine relaxes and she melts into me, her hands still dangling by her sides. She fits into my arms like a missing puzzle piece, one that snaps into place and makes the whole image seem clearer.
Reese is special to me. She always has been and always will be.
“I was worried about you,” I whisper into her neck and squeeze her more snugly, thankful to have her in my arms. Any moment, I know she’s going to push me away and tell me what a weirdo I am.
But I don’t let go. I don’t pull back. Instead I wait for Reese to decide what she wants and hope my actions can express what my words butchered.
Reese says nothing as her shopping bag slips through her fingers and crashes noisily to the floor. With tentative hands, she wraps her arms around my back.
I suck in a surprised breath, the scent a heady combination of the two of us.
“Don’t run from me anymore,” I say.
My fingers trail down her spine absentmindedly, and her shiver vibrates through me. Her nails scrape across my back as she gathers the fabric of my shirt into her fists, holding on tight.
Reese, Reese, Reese...My brain fills with only thoughts of her. Memorizing the curve of her body against mine. Savoringthe smell of her skin. Treasuring this moment between us. The desperate need to kiss her again consumes me.
Tracing the bumps of her spine, I build up my courage.
“I like you.” To seal my confession, I press the lightest of kisses on the column of her neck. “A lot.”
Her contented sigh sounds in my ear, and I kiss the same spot, reveling in the rapid thumps of her pulse under my lips. Knowing I’ve caused those unsteady beats is nearly my undoing.
She leaps away from me, her chest heaving. “You kissed me. Again.”
“I did,” I say, my voice pure gravel. “I wouldn’t mind another.”
The expression she makes is the same one she made when Austin’s chapters would start—but this time, it’s for me. I move in to kiss her, but she throws up a hand, blocking me.
“Too fast,” she pants. “I need . . . control.”
And then I realize her hand on my chest is trembling. She tucks them behind her but is unable to hide the frightened glint in her eye.
I brush the hair back from her face. “Are you okay? Is it a craving?”
She nods and steps away from me. “Say something. Distract me.”
“Uh, okay.” I glance around, trying to think of something on the spot. “I think the cat motif is growing on me.”
She shakes her head slightly. “Wh-what?”
“Like some of the pictures are pretty cute. My bedding is of kittens at the beach. They’re wearing little sunglasses.”
She smiles, a small one, but I still count it as a victory.
“Kittens at the beach,” she murmurs. “I’ve never been to the beach.”
“I could take you if you want. I don’t think it’s too far from LA.”
“LA? As in Los Angeles? That seems pretty specific.” She blinks, thinking.
“There’s also cats in the?—”
“No, no. Why LA? Where did that come from?” The blood flow returns to her pale cheeks.
“No reason.” I lean against the counter, crossing my arms over my chest.
