She couldn't help herself; she tipped her head back, granting him better access.
Are we in a relationship?
She shouldn't let him kiss her neck like this if they weren't. She shouldn't kiss Rudy at all, not until she had her screwed-up life figured out.
Trying to strengthen her resolve, she said, "It's not s-supposed to be real." A shuddering sigh escaped her as he slowly worked his way back up her neck.
"It feels pretty real to me." He pressed soft kisses along her jaw. "No matter how hard I try to fight it, I can't deny I'm attracted to you, Eden."
Holy smokes!
She loved the way her name sounded when his voice was husky like that.
"Same." The single word was barely more than a whisper. Her purse strap slipped from her shoulder and fell to the floor, but she ignored it.
He paused with his lips mere millimeters from hers. "Unless you have an objection, I plan to kiss you like I did under the stars a couple weeks ago."
"But..." the word came out weak, barely more than an exhale.
"But what?"
"What if God doesn't want us together?" Her voice lacked conviction, and Rudy only grinned.
He leaned in until his body was flush against hers. An electrified vibrating thrum filled her in anticipation of his kiss.
"Then he'd better strike me down now because I want to be with you. I want to be yourrealboyfriend. I want to make out with you late at night. Under the stars. In my parent's—"
"You talk too much." Eden grabbed his face with both hands and pressed her lips to his. Her last thread of resistance snapped when he said he wanted to be herreal boyfriend,and she needed his lips on hers. Now.
Rudy didn't hesitate to gather her in his arms and pull her tight against him as he accepted her invitation.
She slid her fingers into his hair and reveled in the feel of its thick waves slipping through her fingers. Again, and again. When she played with the tendrils at the back of his neck, a low moan escaped him, fueling her confidence. She gave herself to the kiss wholly and completely.
His lips continued stroking hers in a rhythmical motion, evoking a rush of emotions in her: elation, happiness, and desire. He slid his hands up her back, spreading warmth through her body, and Eden couldn't help thinking this was what she'd been waiting for all her life. She'd never been kissed like this. And deep down, she knew she'd never feel this sense of wholeness and fulfillment with any other man.
She felt silly for thinking God didn't want her to kiss Rudy. How could something that felt so right be wrong? When her knees grew weak, she clung to him, keeping tempo with his mouth even though her lungs screamed for oxygen.
His lips finally released hers only to drift to that sensitive spot below her ear again. "You drive me crazy." His ragged breaths tickled her neck, sending shock waves of pleasure shooting through her body.
"Likewise," she whispered, but she wasn't sure any sound came out because she still struggled to breathe with his lips caressing her skin.
"You smell almost as good as you taste."
She wanted to tell him he smelled good too, but she couldn't seem to form coherent thoughts, let alone words.
"Have you caught your breath yet?" His mouth was dangerously close to hers again.
"No."
"Too bad."
Then his lips were on hers again, his hands now gripping her hips. He made her feel alluring and desirable, yet at the same time, carefree and light-hearted. If he hadn't been holding her, she feared she might float away. Lights, far brighter than the starry sky, exploded behind her eyelids, lighting up her world.
No, wait. The light's above us!
Eden's eyes sprang open to blinding light in the entryway.
"Oh, it's only you two," Alice's voice came from near her shoulder.
