He straightened. "Why not. I thought you enjoyed it as much as I did."
"I did." More color flooded her face. "But I don't think it's a good idea." She pushed her fingers into her hair to shift it to shield her face, but the clumps didn't move. "I think God is trying to tell me something."
Rudy snorted. "You think God is trying to tell you not to kiss me?"
"Stop laughing.” She shoved his shoulder. “I'm serious."
"I'm sorry." He sobered. "Of course, I believe in God. And I know he sends signs and messages. I just don't see why you think he wouldn't want us to kiss."
"Think about it. What happened the first time we kissed?"
Was this a trick question? Was she wanting him to admit how much it affected him? How he'd almost gotten carried away.
She nudged him with her elbow. "I had an asthma attack. I can't believe you've forgotten already."
Oh that.
"I remembereverythingabout that kiss, Eden." He wasn't one bit embarrassed about the husky quality of his voice.
Her eyes flashed open wide before she ducked her head. "Well look what happened tonight. We let ourselves get carried away, so God sent skunks to break us up."
Rudy pressed his lips together to keep from laughing again. Yes, their kiss had gotten a little heated, but he didn't regret one minute of it. "I think it was more a case of being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Sure, we were kissing rather passionately, but it wasn't like we were being inappropriate. I don't think God would punish us for wanting to get to know each other better."
"To what end? We both know I'm not going to be here forever. Should we really be getting involved like that?"
Her words doused the embers that had been burning in him since their kiss. "So why did you kiss me then?" A hint of anger tinged his words.
She wrapped her arms around her knees. "I don't know. I guess I just wanted to know if you'd kiss me willingly, without my dad forcing us. I was curious if there would be the same spark as last time."
Hearing her talk about the sparks when they kissed fanned the embers to life. He leaned toward her and in a low voice whispered, "Did it feel like I was a willing participant?"
"Yes." The word came out breathy.
"Did you feel sparks?"
She licked her lips and nodded.
He leaned closer, brushing his lips to her temple. "Will you give me one more chance. If God sends down a bolt of lightning, I promise I will never touch you again."
She gave a shuddering chuckle. "One more chance."
Rudy wasn't about to wait for her to change her mind. He cupped her shoulder as he feathered several light kisses along her jaw before claiming her lips with his. They were much warmer than he expected considering the chill in the night air and even softer than the silky skin of her shoulder.
Her lips moved with his, effectively elevating his heart rate. The electricity arcing through his veins triggered a passion so strong he feared it would sweep him away, but he was prepared for it this time. He tamped it down, refusing to get carried away.
He didn't know what the future held for him and Eden, but he didn't want to mess this up. He wouldn't drive her away and give her a reason to leave by coming on too strong.
He'd just slid his arm around her shoulders and deepened the kiss when it hit him!
The vile, acrid taste of sulfur and raw garlic.
"Gah! You taste awful!" He pulled back. "I thought you were kidding when you said it got in your mouth." The last of his words came out a splutter as a scowling Eden dumped a can of tomato juice on his head.
"Rudy? Is that you?" Mr. Jackson called, poking his head over the fence. "Why are you playing in the kiddie pool?" The older man's head tilted to the side. "Is that...blood?"
"No, it's tomato juice. We got sprayed by a couple of skunks."
"So you're the ones who stunk up the neighborhood." Disgust deepened Mr. Jackson's voice. "Don't you know that's just an old wives’ tale? Tomato juice doesn't get rid of the skunk stench."
