“What?”
“Can. I. Kiss. You?” he asks again, his minty breath caressing my lips. He’s so close, it would only take for me to go on my tip toes or for him to lower his mouth less than an inch, but he askedmeif he could.
“Yes,” I whisper back.
And oh my.
Oh my.
His lips are on mine, tenderly exploring, carefully tracing. His thumb brushes my cheekbone, allowing his fingers to stretch and cup my face, tethering me. I’m floating, suspended in time and space. He doesn’t press deeper, on the threshold of my lips, learning each curve and crevice available for him to explore.
I take matters into my own hands and pull his lower lip between mine, sucking gently, deepening this perfect kiss. A low,deep groan releases from the back of his throat, and it rumbles right to his lips. He breaks free, the sharp intake of his breath a sudden contrast to the warmth of a mere second ago. Our foreheads touch, both of us exhaling and a quiet laughter leaving his full lips.
“Wow,” he whispers, leaving no choice but to smile. Mr. Holden Clay, ex hockey player extraordinaire, is whispering wow over what? A kiss?
“I have to go.”
“I know. I really wanted to do that, though.”
A giggle escapes me. “I wanted it too.”
I step backwards, allowing space between us and getting closer to my van. “See you soon?”
“Please.” His eyes crinkle as the smile reaches them.
We both wave, and I turn, leaving him behind and getting in the van.
“Well…” Bella says.
“Well, you played well.”
“Mmm, no. We’re not doing this.”
“What?” I continue our drive towards Baker.
“You know that’s not what I want to know.”
I swear, if this child wants to ask about?—
“Did you kiss him?” she asks, reading my mind.
“Bella!”
“Well did you?”
I shake my head, not answering her question. I don’t want to lie but I also don’t want to tell her. I don’t want to get her hopes up.
“Fine. Don't tell me.” She places her feet on the dashboard. “But it still stands. I like him, and you deserve some happy.”
“Thanks, Bella.”
“Uh-huh.”
She turns the volume up, some song I don’t recognize blasting through the speakers as she follows the beat with her feet and voice. I touch my lips, the phantom feel of his on mine, his minty-sweet taste still in my mouth.
Wow, indeed.
26
