Finally, finally, he was finished with all the things he needed to do to wrap this date thing up, and when they stood, he took her hand.
It was for show. This sweet gesture had nothing to do with what she had said to him a few minutes ago.
His fingers twined in hers, and the way he held her made her feel steady, stable. That was not what she was looking for right now.
They walked out of the restaurant and into the pouring rain. And then he wrapped his arm around her waist, turned her around, and backed her up against the side of the truck, his mouth crashing down on hers. He kissed her, and it was nothing like the kiss he’d given her at the library that day. Tonight, he kissed her as if he was starving and they hadn’t just eaten dinner.
And he was right. She didn’t think for one moment about breath mints.
All she thought about was him. The rain cascaded over them,and she didn’t care. The truck was wet against her back, and she didn’t care.
This was the fierce, hot kiss that she had always wanted with him. That she had always known was possible.
This was everything. His hands were on her face, large and rough and hot, skimming over her skin, which was slick with raindrops.
His tongue swept against her lips, and she parted them for him, hoping that she was doing it right. He didn’t seem to have any complaints.
His hold was strong, his body hot and firm in front of her.
When they parted, he pressed his forehead to hers, his breathing ragged, just like hers.
“Is that what you had in mind?” he asked.
“Well. I was thinking maybe it would go further than that.”
He chuckled. He raised his hand and slid his thumb along her lower lip. “Not on the street.”
“Oh. Weareon the street.”
She hadn’t really given any thought to that. She supposed if there were any rumors floating around that they weren’t actually together, they would be cleared up by the sight of them making out against his truck. But this wasn’t about the election. It wasn’t about convincing anyone of anything. It was about her.
She couldn’t remember how long it had been since something was just about her.
“You a little dizzy?” he asked.
She looked up into his green eyes and lied. “No.”
“We’ll drive back up to your place.”
She didn’t argue. It made sense. They would go back up there, and then he could leave afterward. There would be no awkward morning after; there would be no spending the night. He wouldn’t have to drive her home after they dressed.
And her family wouldn’t care. If they were even home to notice.
They already thought she and Flynn were together, so it wouldn’t even signify.
“Okay.”
He pulled her away from the truck, opened the door for her, and deposited her inside.
When he closed the door, she shivered just slightly. But she wouldn’t let him see her nervousness.
No. She wasn’t going to be nervous. She wasn’t going to be like that.
This was going to be great.
And she was going to be good at it.
She knew that he would be good at it. She wasn’t worried about that at all.
