Teeth clash against teeth and our noses smash against each other’s cheeks.Holy ouch!I’m not sure who jerks away faster.
“Did you just try to kiss me?” Braxton asks incredulously, rubbing his nose before moving to his jaw.
Kill. Me. Now.
“It was a social media challenge,” I blurt out. An embarrassed groan escapes my lips as I turn my face away from him. Someone please give me amnesia. It’s time to forget this EVER happened. Oh my gosh, what was I thinking?!
Abort mission!
That was AWFUL.
I risk a glance his way, ready to apologize and make self-effacing jokes.
Braxton’s blank expression sends my heart beating more wildly than before. What is he thinking?
“I’m sor—” I begin, but he interrupts.
“You didn’t do it right.” His husky voice, followed by a gutteral sound deep in his throat, sends shockwaves through my body like the time I accidentally touched an electric fence when sneaking onto private hunting land. He shakes his head with a huff of breath like he’s in disbelief, trying to make sense of what just transpired. I mean, I am too. But then he slides his hands to cup my warm cheeks. His hold is firm, but gentle. Green eyes, a dark, dangerous color under the soft light, glisten into my own.
Then those eyes flick down to my lips.
He leans in.
The electric waves turn into tsunamis as his lips brush against mine, so much softer than I ever imagined or dreamed. His lips linger against mine, unmoving but savoring. Like the whole world stopped spinning to keep time still at this moment. Slower than when he moved in, he leans away.
I realize I kept my eyes open the entire time.Good gracious.
“Electric Love” continued to play from my phone speakers. What felt like an eternity was most likely only a few seconds.
My best friend just kissed me.
BRAXTON JUST KISSED ME.
His eyes lock with mine as we sit in silence, heavy breaths releasing the pent-up tension between us. His hands rest gently on my face, his forehead leaning against mine.
“Did we just…?” I ask, baffled THAT just happened. HE kissed ME.
And it was already the best kiss of my life.
“I’m going to do it again.” He sighs into my parted lips. I close my eyes, giving him the green light to kiss me as much as he pleases. Shivers rake my body as his lips latch on to mine, hungry yet gentle. One hand travels away from my cheek and weaves into my hair while his other hand finds my waist, tugging my body closer. Even as we sit awkwardly in this booth, our bodies mesh together perfectly.
I deepen the kiss, completely lost in his essence. Years of love, desire, and happiness transfer from my lips to his. Can he feel how much I love him? My hands wrap around his neck, and I flinch when my braced wrist clashes with my good hand. Braxton notices and pulls away with labored breathing.Curse it all,I think, wishing we could all just forget my wrist was injured. But no, Braxton is a perfect gentleman who will always make sure I am okay before his own wants.But you won’t,the self doubt inside me smirks.You’re too much like your mama.
Shut up,I retaliate against the negative thoughts. It’s time to put those types of thoughts in the trash can where they belong. Braxton’s eyes are glazed over, mirroring my own I’m sure.
“Is your wrist okay?” he asks breathlessly.
“Yeah,” I mumble.
“I’ve wanted to do that for averylong time.” He turns his body forwards and slouches down into the booth like he just finished running a marathon and is exhausted.
“Me too.” I mimic his actions. “And I got it all on camera.” I risk a glance in his direction.
“Hadley Anne Dawson,” he barks my full name as he straightens up in the booth to face me. “If you post that anywhere I will never put my lips on yours again.”
“So, you’re planning to do that some more?” I wiggle my eyebrows. Despite his threat, a smile stretches up to his ears. To be honest, I haven’t seen Braxton this happy since before his mama passed away
“I’m planning to do that as long as you’ll let me.” His eyes hood over and it's the sexiest thing I’ve ever seen, melting me into a puddle at his feet.
