Brayden’s blue eyes darken. “You’re putting yourself back together, Lei.” He puts his hand on my back and urges me closer to him. “All on your own.”
He takes my face in his hands and, with no more hesitation, puts his mouth over mine. He kisses me softly at first, waiting for me to open to him. I do with a moan, and he slips his tongue in my mouth.
Brayden kisses me like his whole life depends on it. He nips my lower lip until I cry out, and he never lets up. It’s familiar and new all at the same time. It’s safe, and it’s scary, only in the best way. It’s not just different than with Phillip. It’s like I’m brought back to that night twelve years ago but without all the pain that came with it. Back then, Brayden kissed me carefully like he was afraid I’d break.
Tonight, he’s all in. He doesn’t hold back, and neither do I. My heart’s pounding, and my palms are sweating as I let my tongue tangle with Brayden’s. He pulls me onto his lap and keeps kissing me, his mouth devouring mine desperately.
When he puts his hands up the back of my shirt and unhooks my bra, shivers dance across my skin. I wrap my legs around his waist as tightly as I can. I don’t want to think straight. I don’t want to think at all. And I definitely don’t want this moment to ever stop because I’m scared I’ll never feel this good again.
Our kiss grows wild and out of control. I feel like I could kiss Brayden forever, and it still wouldn’t be enough. I slip my hands underneath his shirt and across his chest, which is solid muscle. He takes his shirt off and I kiss his bare bicep, before getting a glimpse of his tattoo in the moonlight.
“When did you get your tattoo?” I whisper.
“The year I made the varsity football team,” he says. “I got it to remind myself of what truly makes me feel free, not the lure of money and fame. I knew I’d lose myself if I pursued playing football as a career. Staying here, in Montana, is what’s always made me happiest.”
“I can relate to losing yourself in the wrong career,” I say quietly.
And then I bite down on his shoulder as Brayden’s hands roam up and down my bare back. His touch feels so, so good, even though he keeps them on my back and doesn’t wander. But I start to wish his hands would wander everywhere. With a low growl and never taking his mouth off of mine, he lays me down in the back of the truck. He makes sure I’m on top of the blanket, and then he leans over me and slowly unbuttons my sweater.
His darkened eyes lock with mine with each button he reaches. I shiver as his hot breath hits my neck, and then his lips find my mouth again. He increases the tempo of our kiss, and once my sweater’s open, he undoes the top button of my flannel shirt. Then he reaches for the second one and then the third.
By the time he’s released all the buttons, I’ve forgotten anything but this moment in time. My body’s writhing on the truck bed, begging Brayden to touch more of me. He takes his mouth off mine to kiss my neck, and then he keeps going south, grazing my collarbone with his teeth. A noise escapes my throat as his lips touch the top of my breast, and then he lifts his head back up to kiss me again. Meanwhile, his hands are all over my bare skin, skimming over the curves of my breasts, and pausing to rub his thumb over my pebbled nipple. He groans as his hand drifts purposefully down to my navel and over my hips. He reaches the snap of my jeans, and I can feel his fingers shake as he hesitates.
I tense just enough that he stops.
I drag myself into a sitting position, and Brayden moves away from me, his hands in fists at his sides. I button up my shirt and sweater quietly, but we’re both breathing heavily.
He breaks the silence. “Leleila, I think we should go to sleep. I want you to leave this party feeling healed, not confused.”
“I’m okay, Brayden. That was…the best kiss of my life.”
He looks at me for the first time since we stopped kissing. His lips are swollen and bruised, his blond hair’s a mess, and his eyes are filled with such heat that I suck in my breath. We hold the eye contact without speaking until he says—
“Mine too. But I don’t want to rush this, and I’ll be honest with you. I’m going to fix up the blankets so we can go to sleep because I need to stop putting my hands all over you like I’m dying to do. God knows how much I want to make love to you all night long.”
My breath catches in my throat.
I reach out and take his hand. “I’m sorry this has been so messy.”
“Don’t be sorry that I want you. Or about any of it.”
I swallow. “I guess the fact that I’m single isn’t enough, huh?”
His eyes find mine. “Not when I want more than one night with you, Leleila. I care about you. I really like you too. And I want to make sure you’re more than ready for everything that I want with you. I’m not going to make love to you for the first time in the back of my truck. You deserve better than that.”
“Brayden.” His name comes out of my mouth in a pained tone. “I’m happy being anywhere with you.”
Brayden’s hands are on my cheeks immediately. “So let’s take our time. You just got out of a long-term relationship, and you’re still figuring your shit out. I’m happy to go slow. Okay? I have an idea for our second date.”
“When was our first date?”
He gestures from me to him. “It’s happening right now. But I didn’t know tonight was going to be a date, so our next date will be more official—would you like to go with me to Dylan and Jasalie’s wedding?”
I take his hand. “I would. Very much.”
“I’ll pick you up beforehand.”
All I can do is nod before he plants a quick kiss on my mouth and then lets me go. He jumps down off his truck, and I hear him rustling around inside the front of the cab. He taps the glass to get my attention, and I climb off the back and go around to the open passenger door.
