“Stop it.”His fingers pinch my cheeks while I dodge him, our heads bobbing up and down like two idiots playing cat and mouse on the couch.“You should help me erase his lips from mine.”
His hands try to hold my head still.I duck and swerve, breathless from laughing.Then his body presses against mine, pinning me down on the couch.Feeling his weight on me—his cologne, his face so close, his warm breath brushing my skin—I stop laughing.My heartbeat races faster than I want.
He sighs and laughs, and my face heats up instantly.My lips purse, trying to hide how embarrassed I am.I fall into his arms like a moth to a flame.
A second later, his lips crash into mine, fierce and hungry.His tongue traces the edge of my lips, then slides against mine, deep and deliberate.
He sucks on my tongue, nibbles my lower lip, then pulls it gently between his teeth before letting go.I try to breathe, but he doesn’t let me.His arms only tighten around my shoulders.
“L—Laird.”His name slips out between my moans.“I—”
He must sense I’m running out of air, because he pulls back and studies my face.His thumb brushes my cheek, soft and careful.
“That would work,” he murmurs.
“No.You never said you love me,” I whisper.
“I’m tired of trying to convince you with words.You’d never believe me anyway.”His emerald gaze reflects the fireplace.
“You shouldn’t give up so easily,” I say between quick breaths.“I still want to hear it sometimes.”
“Then you better be ready to deal with the ache between your legs, because I’m sure all those words will turn us on.”His lips brush the corner of my mouth.
“God, get a room, you two!”My mother’s voice cuts through the air like an alarm.
“Mom?!”I jump up as Laird scrambles to his feet, only to slam my leg against the coffee table with a loud thud.“Ugh, damn it!”I hiss, rubbing the spot with both hands.
“Ouch, that’s gotta hurt.”Laird tries not to laugh and helps me sit back on the sofa.His large hands rub my leg with gentle pressure.
“This is still my house, for God’s sake.I’ve been trying to leave for ten minutes, and you two have been making out on my couch,” my mom scolds, strutting through the living room in her perfectly pressed jacket.She heads into the kitchen and grabs a big thermos identical to the one that broke at the bazaar.
“Where are you going?”I ask, frowning as she grabs her coat.
“Where else?The Evans family Christmas party.Aren’t you going?”Her eyes flick to Laird like he’s an intruder in her living room.
“I have an important job, Mom.Please don’t tell my dad,” Laird says quickly.
My mom rolls her eyes to the ceiling and lets out a dramatic groan.“If only I could use that excuse.But all the neighbors are counting on me to bring this to the party.”She pauses at the door and points a finger at us.“Don’t forget to lock up.I’ll be playing poker with the ladies.We’re betting bakery discount coupons for a month.”She wraps a scarf around her neck and walks out, the door slamming behind her.
“Oof.She’s definitely not happy with me,” Laird mutters, wincing.
“That’s crap.She likes you more than she likes me,” I say, pouting.
“That’s even more crap.She cares about you so much it makes me jealous.”He pinches my nose, and I swat his chest.
“Gosh,” I mumble, and he laughs softly.Laird might’ve found the mother figure he’s always wanted in mine.His mom was cold and demanding when he was a kid.Then, when he hit his teens, she left.Now his dad’s out there chasing women younger than him.
“Maybe you’re right,” I whisper, looping my arms around his shoulders.
“I swear you’ll be the death of me, Fenella,” he says, kissing the back of my hand.
His lips trail up, brushing my wrist, my arm, then my mouth.His tongue slips in, teasing, coaxing me to open for him.And I do.I let our tongues meet, slow and deep, until the world fades again.I can even taste the remnants of the sweet cream in his mouth, sending me into a blissful daze.
21
Make Up Kisses
Fenella
