“Yeah,” I rasp.
“Thank you. I’m happy… that you’re here. I would have been lost.”
“It’s nothing.”
He crooks the fingers of his other hand and captures my chin before tipping my nose up to give him a perfect canvas. His lips lowering onto mine feels different.
Overpowering yet tender.
It isn’t lust but instead a moment with significance behind it.
Holden presses down to suck my air before his mouth seizes my upper lip, softening the kiss. A light feathery feeling floats through my body, sending sensitive ripples from my toes all the way up.
Breaking away, his teeth scrape along my bottom lip. I feel it in my bones that this isn’t a normal kiss. When he nuzzles my nose with his, it dawns on me that this is slow. The kind of kiss that leaves you entranced for days.
He reluctantly backs away, still keeping his finger under my jaw. “Truly thank you. You’re…” he whispers, and although he doesn’t finish his sentence, it feels as though we are on a new line.
A slow chip to a layer that we said we wouldn’t cross.
After all, we both know what our attraction only is, right?
13
HOLDEN
Ikissed her like it matters.
I know I did.
But it’s not a complication. Is it? Now I need to focus on Lori who is about to come down the stairs for breakfast. I remind myself to stay calm and collected. Play it cool. Lexi is near, casually sipping her tea, and Harry pulls out a donut from the box.
The sound of Lori’s steps approaching feels daunting, but I’ve mentally been preparing myself for this all night.
She looks at me warily, but I decide to jump right in. “So… it’s morning.” I have no clue why I just said that, but if it sounds like I’m nervous, it’s because I am.
Lexi gently touches my elbow. “I think she knows that.”
Lori grabs a donut from the box. “Why do we have donuts? Normally we have donuts on Saturdays.”
“I know, but two days in a row is fine. I went this morning to Jolly Joe’s to pick them up, they’re fresh.” Because I couldn’t sleep. I clap my hands together. “You know what? Today we’ll make peanut butter and jelly cheesecake.”
Harry perks up. “Awesome, donuts and cake in the same day.”
“Well, the cheesecake needs to be in the fridge overnight, so not exactly all today,” I correct him.
Lori stares at me blankly, waiting for whatever blunder might come out of my mouth next.
“How about tomorrow? I’ll just let school know that you’ll be off for a few days.”
The flare of fury erupts on my daughter’s face. “Stop acting weird.” I try to get us back to normal morning routine, and I drink my mug of coffee. “I’m a woman now, okay?” She’s defensive, and I nearly choke on my hot brew.
Lexi intervenes. “Well, I think Harry and your dad can make that cake and you and I can get out of the house while your dad…adjusts.” She gawks at me as a warning to get it the fuck together.
Harry’s eyes dance between us all. “Why is everyone acting strange?”
I pinch the bridge of nose, miserably failing at this morning. “Doesn’t matter, buddy.”
Lori bites into a donut with glaze, her favorite. “You know now. I’m fine. Let’s move on. I want to just lie on the couch anyways, I feel ugh.”
