Mentally, Andie was grasping for something to close up the wound forming in her heart.
Trenton dropped his gaze to the hand he held. “Andie,” he said in a whisper.
She prepared herself for the worst as he pried her hand open, pulling her fingers from her palm one by one.It’s okay, Andie. You’ll move on. You’ll heal.
He brought her palm to his mouth and bowed his head over it. The heat of his breath against her skin sent a ripple of goosebumps up her arms.
“I want to bemorethan your friend,” he said against her skin.
A second wave of goosebumps surfaced. But the real celebration was happening in her heart.
Trenton pressed a kiss to her palm, then slid his lips along the outer edge of her hand, his breath teasing her as he moved to the very center spot of her wrist. He came in once more, planting a warm, lingering kiss to the sensitive spot. Her skin, delicate and thin as it was there, couldn’t possibly hide the racing of her pulse as it spiked another notch.
He didn’t want to be just friends. The fact made his affections seem less innocent now. More…seductive.
With his head lowered, lips hovering over her wrist, he looked up at her through his lashes and gave her arm the slightest tug of encouragement.
Yes.
Andie sucked in a jagged breath as she gave into the pull, thrilling in the feel of his affection. Trenton had taken his time, after all. His patience seemed to confirm that his intentions were as he said. The wait had also made her crave his kiss even more. She’d imagined, time and time again, what it might feel like to have his mouth on hers.
Trenton’s strong hand cradled the back of her neck, the sheer size of it making her feel delicate in his embrace. Her body went limp as he searched her face, an undeniable longing in his eyes.
He lowered his head, and Andie let her eyes drift shut. She tuned in to the pleasing sensations as he pressed a kiss to her brow, her cheek, and the very corner of her mouth.
Already, his gentle touch, the sweet anticipation—it was more bliss than she’d felt in years.
Ever so lightly then, Trenton brushed his mouth from one corner of her lips to the next—an invitation.
Andie accepted, lifting her chin to return his kiss as he came in again. One soft, introductory kiss. Gentle. Testing.Yummy.
Mmm, yes.This is what she’d been waiting for.
She parted her lips at his next kiss, and explored the gentle touch of his tongue. Once, then twice.So good. She reveled in the masculine feel of the stubble surrounding his lips, a contrast to the smooth heat of his heavenly mouth.
She hadn’t given much thought to the action, but soon Andie was leaning back and pulling him with her. Trenton’s muscled arm cradled the round of her back as she lowered herself flat onto the quilt.
Trenton braced himself as he moved over her, leaving the perfect measure of his warmth and weight against her body.
Nothing had felt this good before, she was sure of it.
His next kiss was more certain, the strength behind his lips, assuring her that he felt the same. She hadn’t simply imagined the incredible pull that urged them closer each time they were near. Or the longing she’d felt to test it out at last. This was real, and it was more glorious than anything she’d known.
Trenton tilted his head, a groan sounding low in his chest as he deepened the kiss to her pleasure. She could kiss him like this all day. All week. Her entire life long.
But you don't get lifetime love, remember?
The intrusive thought came straight from the conversation she’d had with Richard; he’d said they wouldn’t be able to have meaningful relationships. That the secrets of their past would prevent it.
She wouldn’t think on that now. It had taken a long time to get to this place with Trenton, and Andie planned to enjoy it. With that, she pressed her lips to his again, inwardly praying they’d find a way to make this last forever.
Chapter 15
Rain pelted the windshield as Trenton rounded the bend. In just a second or two, Andie would catch her first sight of his ranch. Too bad the house, with its barn, its beauty, and its forty acres, would be obscured by the downpour.
At least it would help hide the downed For Sale sign on his property. Downed, that is, thanks to Trenton. He’d known he was bringing Andie here, after all, and since he hadn’t mentioned the fact that he planned to sell his ranch and leave North Carolina behind, he couldn’t have her spot the sign and find out that way.
The truth was, after Andie challenged him about the friendship thing, the moment he’d seen the emotion on her face, a part of him committed to stay. It’s the part that allowed him to fully enjoy her kiss then, and several times since.
