We’re still holding hands and gazing into each other’s lovesick eyes when the waitress comes to drop the bill.Sidney slides his card forward before I can even move.
As we stand to leave, he asks,Should we get something for Joey?
He’s probably ordered a pizza the size of his torso by now.
Oh, pizza sounds good, actually.
We just ate!
Joey and I are growing boys!With healthy appetites.
Unbelievable,I groan, shaking my head at his antics.
Sooo.He grins.Loaded nachos?
My heart does a very embarrassing swoop.
Sure,I say.
***
In the parking lot, the air is cool, crisp with possibility.Sidney rubs his hands together, trying to create warmth.His breath is visible in the air, dancing around him before dissipating into the night.
He reaches for my hand, clasping it in instant warmth.It makes me smile how easily he reaches for me, always needing to be touching some small part of me.At first, I thought he did it because it was part of his flirting technique.But as the weeks have passed, I’ve learned it’s his love language.
Sidney walks me to his SUV, two takeout bags dangling from one hand, the other holding mine tight.The drive back to my place is quiet, but there is a tension.A hot, pulsing tension that is slowly driving me crazy.
I had a good time,he says, parking the car on the curb and turning toward me.
Me too.
He gestures for me to stay where I am before jumping out of his seat and rounding the car.Opening my door, he extends his hand to help me out.When the car door slams shut behind me, Sidney gently pushes me against the cool metal.
My breath catches.I’m not sure if it’s from the sudden cold on my back or from the dominant, sexy move.
He steps closer so that our chests are almost touching.The hand that had pressed me against the car slowly slides down the collar of my jacket until he’s playing with the end of my scarf.
I know what I want to happen.What I desperately need to happen.When his eyes flick up to mine, my mouth opens on a gasp.
Eddie,he says softly, leaning just a little closer.I can feel his breath against my lips.
Yes?I reply, almost breathless.My hands come up and tangle in his jacket, pulling him closer to me.
I’m going to kiss you now.Is that okay?
I don’t wait for him to do it.Rising to my tiptoes, I press my lips against his.I don’t want to wait another second.This is all I’ve been secretly thinking about all night.I’ve done my waiting.
I sigh against his mouth, and it feels like coming home.His lips touch mine, and it’s the single greatest feeling in the world.God, I’ve missed this.I slide my hands up his coat-covered chest and wrap them around his neck.He pulls me into him, and I melt into his strong body.
I try to deepen the kiss, wanting more, but he pulls back.
Wow,I whisper.
He chuckles softly.Yeah.Wow.I don’t want to stop kissing you, but I think we may have an audience.
I look over toward the house and see the front curtain swaying, as if someone was just there and then dashed away.A laugh huffs out of me at being caught.
I’ll text you when I land tomorrow,he says, running a thumb up my cheekbone.
