It was obvious they wanted to see a kiss. So she turned to Theo and said, “Let’s just do it,” unsure why she was even going along with it.
“Okay, fine,” he said, leaning over and planting a quick, chaste kiss on Dani’s lips. “There.”
There?Theo’s papou kissed better than that. Was this seriously the kiss she’d fantasized about for the last almost two decades? Because talk about a letdown.
“Boooooooo!”
“You call that a kiss?”
I couldn’t agree more.
“That’s how I kiss my sister!”
That tracks.
“Φ?λησ? την! Φ?λησ? την!”
Their calls came from all directions.
“All right!” Theo said with a mix of annoyance and amusement.
Theo turned to Dani and placed his hand upon her cheek before pulling her in. Her heart pounded as he scanned her face. Questioning her. Surely wondering what was going on in her head. She closed her eyes, allowing him to bring her face to his. Their lips touched, hesitantly at first, caressing each other with slow, tentative movements. His lips were softer and fuller than she’d imagined, a sharp—and delightful—contrast to the roughness of his beard. His thumb grazed her jaw as he opened his mouth to her, waiting for her to invite him in. And once she did, his tongue glided into her mouth, tangling with her own and sending lightning-like pulses throughout her body.
¡A la verga!She was kissing Theo Galanis.
Suddenly, they were unable to get enough of each other. She sucked in a breath before their lips turned eager. His hand moved from her cheek to the back of her head, holding her to him. Taking her in. She reached her hand to his shirt, twisting it in her fist. She needed him closer.
He tasted of ouzo and lemon, delightful on her taste buds despite her earlier objection to the anise flavor. But on Theo’s tongue? She savored it. She wantedmoreof it.
Of him.
This kiss was everything she’d always wanted. The rest of the world faded away. There were only Dani and Theo. Like so many times before, the two of them together even though everyone else carried on in their lives. Always finding their way back to each other, even when every other part of their lives continued to pull them apart.
Always Theo.
It’s always been you.
The words came out of nowhere, barreling through her brain like a runaway train. She squeezed her eyes tighter, and a hazy image of him in her apartment last year came into view.
Theo, it’s always been you. It’s only ever been you.
Dani pulled Theo in deeper, trying desperately to remember more of that night. Her hungry lips needed more, so she took his face in her hands. The harder she pressed, the faster the memories flooded her mind.
The micheladas and fries. Karaoke. Going back to her apartment. Talking on the couch until God knows when. Their knees touching. Fingers twirling together in each other’s hands.
Everything finally hit her like a tidal wave.
Have you ever thought about…us?she’d asked.
Sure, I have.
Then why haven’t you ever tried to kiss me?
I…I didn’t realize that you wanted me to.
Of course I have. Theo, it’s always been you. It’s only ever been you.
Suddenly, what had happened that night became crystal clear. She’d placed her hand on the side of his face and scooted closer to him, bringing her face up to his. Their foreheads had touched, the tips of their noses brushing. But when Dani had opened her mouth and leaned in, Theo had stopped her.
