“For you, yes.”
“Why didn’t you just say it before? This weekend sucked balls with all your confusing messages.”
“I didn’t think you were ready.”
“I’m not ready to marry you, and I’m not ready to say the L-word, but I have feelings for you. Lots of feelings.”
“I’ll take that. I’ll work hard to get you to L-word level.”
“I’ll need”—she starts to count out on her fingers one at a time—“letters, phone calls, text messages, and you in Chicago.”
“I’m out of the army in June. I’m moving home then.”
“So that leaves the other things.”
“I’ll go home right now and start a letter. I’ve got a lot to say to you.”
“Do you have to leave right now? It’s only ten. I still have seven hours until my flight leaves.”
“Have you checked in yet?”
“No.”
“Want to get some breakfast?”
“Sure.”
Pushing myself to my feet, I take her hand in mine. Tugging her close, I lean down and softly kiss her rose-hued lips. “Matilda?”
“What?”
“Will you be my girl?”
“Does that mean you’ll be my fella?”
Sounds like something from one of her old movies. “That’s exactly what it means.”
“Okay, sure, I’ll be your girl.”
I lead her through the airport and out the doors to my truck. “Does Olive Garden serve breakfast?”
“Iwish,” she states dramatically. “Can you imagine?”
Opening the door to my truck, I hold it until she moves in front of me. Before she can put a foot on the running board, I say her name. She turns, our eyes meet, and I go for it. Leaning down, I touch my lips to hers again. All at once, she turns around, wrapping her arms around my neck as I pull her close. The kiss is unbelievable—investigatory at first. We take turns kissing and suckling on each other’s lips. Then I sweep my tongue into her mouth, being careful not to do what I did the night before. I rotate my head so our lips fit perfectly together.
The kiss lasts long enough that someone passing the truck says, “Hot damn, it’s only ten in the morning. Get a room, folks.”
Sounds like a brilliant idea, except that’s not how this is gonna happen with Matilda and me. It’s going to be special and perfect. I promise you that.
We pull away at the same time. I can practically feel her heartbeat against my chest. I’m sure she can feel mine. “We’re gonna be so good together, honey.”
Matilda’s face flushes a deeper shade of pink as she steps up into the truck. On my way around to my side, I place her suitcase in the back. In the cab, I press the start button and adjust the air conditioning as my truck rumbles to life. Before I put it into gear though, I look over at her and catch her looking at me.
“Come ’ere.”
She’s up on her knees and reaching for me in no time. Wrapping my arms around her, I pull her onto my lap. With my left hand, I press the button to push my seat as far back as it can go. She takes the hint and throws her leg over until she’s straddling me.
“Goddamn, honey.” We kiss and touch for so long, I’m about ready to explode. She’s panting; I’m doing the same. “We’d better stop.”
