“Bronson,” she said breathlessly.
Yup, I was definitely going to hell.
“Can I kiss you?” My control might have been slipping but I wouldn’t do anything she didn’t want or that would ruin the trust I’d been slowly rebuilding.
However, if the look of desire that flashed in the depths of those beautiful orbs was any indication of what she wanted, I was pretty sure I was about to receive the second-best kiss of my life because the only one that had ever meant anything had already been with Lake.
She nodded but said nothing.
“I need you to use your words, Cupcake.” I placed my hand on the back of her neck and let it rest there, waiting. “Do you want me to kiss you?”
“Yes, please,” she whispered.
I gave her one last look to make sure it was what she wanted. Her eyes danced with anticipation and that was all it took. My head bent toward her, my palm at her nape tugged softly, and then my mouth took hers.
I slid my tongue over the seam of her mouth and her sweet taste exploded on my tongue before I slipped it inside. The kiss picked up speed and our breathing accelerated.
The chemistry between us was just as explosive as all those years ago. But now as adults, after all the years apart, with the lives we had led, this kiss between us was so much more. It held desperation, hope, and it held promise. And that lovewe had always felt for each other raised from the ashes of the destruction I’d left behind.
With much regret, I slowly pulled back wanting to savor our moment but not scare her off. I looked into Lake’s half-lidded eyes and couldn’t help grinning, knowing she was as affected as I was.
There was no denying that there was still something so real between us.
“That was…”
When she paused, I finished for her. “Phenomenal.”
Her arms that had gone around my back when the kiss began, gently moved to my front, and she placed them on my chest.
“I’m scared,” she whispered.
I moved my hand from her neck and rested it on her cheek. “I promise I will do everything to protect you from whoever is bothering you.”
Lake dropped her hands to her side. “I didn’t mean him.” She kept her gaze on me and I knew she was talking about us.
“We have a lot to talk about, sweetheart. I swear we are going to do that, but you need some sleep before Stormi wakes up for the day.”
Not moving, I could see something going on behind her eyes. There was a question but she wasn’t sure if she should ask. Whatever the battle was, ended, and she whispered, “Can you stay here with us?”
My hand left her face and stroked her arm softly. “I wouldn’t dream of going anywhere.”
Lake sighed with relief. “Thank you for coming,” she said as she moved away from me and started toward the bedroom.
“You never have to thank me for that, Cupcake. From here on out, I will always come when you need me.”
A soft, wistful smile spread across her face just as she disappeared from my sight.
I never in a million years thought our second kiss would be so soon when we had so much to talk about and I knew I had a lot of groveling to do, but it had felt right.
No matter what happened, I planned to get my best friend back, but there was no denying that I was craving more too.
I wanted everything with Lake. She had always been the only one for me. I just hadn’t realized until it felt like it was too late and it would be unfair to her. Because she was also my best friend I’d felt like I owed it to her to explore, to have a life, to not wait for me.
Well I was done with that line of thinking.
I was here, she was here, and we were meant to be together.
It was something I felt down to my bones.
