“That looks yummy,” he said under his breath. “Is it?”
Justine glanced down at the blue candy tuft in her grip and nodded.
Suddenly Burke was lifting Justine’s wrist, guiding her to...to feed it to him, she realized. She positioned her hand so he could take it from her, and watched as he parted his lips and came in to eat it right off her fingers. The moist heat from his mouth planted streaks of desire to stir low in her tummy. A sensation that magnified as Burke came in once more, steadying her wrist as he used the slight graze of his teeth, the heated stroke of his tongue to remove the crystalized sugar from her fingertips.
A ripple of goosebumps surfaced over her skin.
He leaned in then and pressed the tiniest, tastiest kiss to her lips like a whisper. At last, a cotton candy kiss.
“Mmm,” he rasped. “Come on. I see a spot on the grass over there.”
Holy swoonville.A quick look at Brittany said she had seen the whole thing. Trevor had too. Another wave of satisfaction pooled over the ecstasy swimming through her at his kiss.
The word scandalous shot to her mind as she followed Burke, weaving through couples on blankets just off from the fire and in front of the amphitheater, where Frank strummed a tune on his guitar. The small scene with the cotton candy was nothing compared to Brittany and Trevor’s make out session. At least the couples on the blankets were more discrete. It was much darker over here, just beyond the fire’s glow and the lights illuminating the small stage up front.
Did Burke want to come here to do what most of the other couples were doing? Or did he want to be far enough away that people could simplyassumethat’s what they were doing, without really doing it?
Another sigh pushed through her lips. She hated not knowing. And the combination of nerves and anticipation and residual bliss from the feel of his mouth…all of it had her feeling disoriented.
Burke surprised Justine yet again by picking a spot quite far from the others. He was quick to release her hand, spread out the blanket with a snap, and lower it to the ground.
“Shall we?”
Burke was a man who took control. He’d demonstrated that when she’d pulled her truck off the side of the road. First, by digging a hole for the cat and second, by getting her truck towed home. He’d stepped up when Wilfred arrived and played the part of her fake fiancé in a pinch. And after offering to show up to dinner and even the festivities this weekend, he’d done that very thing. And more.
A man who took control, that was Burke. So just what wouldtaking controllook like as they cuddled up to one another on the blanket?
Justine settled herself onto the soft, plush surface as Burke did the same. Most couples werenotsitting up, but since Justine couldn’t fathom suddenly lying beside him, she leaned a hand back to support herself and tucked her legs up alongside. There. She turned her attention to the band—Frank, his brother, and a couple of friends—as they played a Beatles song.
Burke scooted a little closer and followed suit, watching the stage as if they were simply at a concert.
After a while, Justine smiled. This was nice. Relaxing. She felt her limbs going lax with each breath.
They stayed that way through two full songs. And while Justinewasstill enjoying the ease and the comfort of just sitting side by side to take in the music, she also wondered if Burke had more in mind.
Sure, she was nervous before, but as the band started yet another song, Justine realized how very much she wanted Burke to kiss her.Reallykiss her.She’d had only teases to this point, hints as to what it might be like to fully lock lips with him. And who knew when her chance would come again? If she really did plan to stay in the town of Piney Falls, she mayneverfind a man she liked as much as Burke.
Perhaps he was only willing to take control up to a point. He was a gentleman, and he wouldn’t want to pressure her into something she might not want.
Another song came to an end. Would the night be over before she got that kiss? She could hardly believe how very much she wanted to feel his lips on hers. Wanted it whether people were watching or not. But would Burke?
There was only one way to find out.
Many in the crowd clapped in applause. Justine did the same, working to tame the wild thumping of her heart. The rapid breathing that had taken over her normal pace as she considered encouraging him somehow. But how?
The next tune that floated over the grassy hill was a familiar one. She recognized it after just a few strums. “Can’t Help Falling in Love.”
Ah, her heart nearly melted. She leaned into Burke, bringing her mouth close to his ear. “I love this song.” Justine brought her hand to his forearm to steady herself. He’d rolled his sleeve up a few times throughout the night and, she couldn’t be sure, but it felt as if goosebumps had surfaced over his skin beneath her touch. Or had the feel of her breath so close to his ear affected him the way his had her?
She pulled back slightly to search his face. It was definitely darker over here than other spots throughout the area. But despite that, Justine’s eyes had adjusted enough to see his features. He searched her face in return, that furrow at his brow softening a bit.
Her heart thrummed wildly out of beat as she sensed he was reading her thoughts.
The song talked of falling in love, and as Justine held Burke’s gaze in the low light, she mused that those words, in this instance, could possibly describe her. But so what if she was falling? And so what if she was a fool? She’d be more of a fool to let an opportunity like this—a chance to have his mouth on hers—pass her by.
Burke’s actions at the bonfire were straightforward and outright. Not a hint of reservation slowing his moves. But now, as he brought a hand to the side of her face, ran his fingertips softly over her jawline, his moves were tentative. Testing.
Now she was the one with the goosebumps.
