He couldn't help but follow. "Me too."
"So kiss me."
Daniel wanted nothing more than to do exactly that, but the rational part of his brain cried,"Wait!"
"What will your family think?" He forced the words out through a dry mouth.
"I don't care. I'm an adult, I can choose who I date. Besides, you're practically family, so it's not like they won't like you."
"Yeah, but?—"
"No buts." She leaned toward him. "You need to kiss me now before I take matters into my own hands." She grabbed a fistful of his shirt and tugged. "I should probably warn you... I haven't learned that much over the past four years when it comes to kissing."
He grinned as he cupped a hand to her face. "Just keep your teeth out of it, Pockets." Then he winked. "For now, anyway."
Before she could close the gap between them, he stroked his thumb over her bottom lip. He'd waited four years to kiss these lips again, and the last thing he wanted to do was rush it. He wanted to commit the feel of her soft skin to memory, along with her floral perfume mixed with the fresh scent of rain and pine.
Her warm breath caressed his thumb, and a surge of desire jolted through him.
Bag it. I've got the rest of my life to memorize everything about her.
He leaned the final few inches and pressed his lips to hers. Hers parted almost immediately, and he found himself unable to continue the kiss through his smile. He quickly recovered, however, and accepted all that she offered and gave to her in return.
The taste of hot chocolate and peaches on her mouth was rich and tantalizing. His hand slid into her hair, his fingers tangling in her damp locks. Flames crackled in the fireplace, and he couldn't help thinking that he couldn't have picked a more perfect setting for their second kiss if he'd tried.
Riley's chin jutted out then dipped, playing a game of cat and mouse withhis lips. The ebb and flow of her mouth against his was sheer perfection, and he quickly realized, contrary to her words, she'd learned a thing or two about kissing.
Instead of being jealous of the man who taught her such teasing tactics, he counted himself lucky to be on the receiving end of her kisses. He reached out to wrap his arm around her waist so he could pull her closer, but met the spindles on the back of her chair. With a soft growl, he pulled her chair toward him with one hand and shoved the table away with the other. Scrabble tiles clattered to the floor.
Oh well, I was losing anyway.
But he sure felt like the victor at that moment.
Not even Riley's giggle was enough to deter him from claiming her lips again. This time when he wrapped his arms around her, hers encircled his neck, and before he knew it, she sat on his lap. He continued to caress her lips for several long moments, doing a little teasing of his own, before ending the kiss.
He pressed his forehead to her temple and sucked in several deep breaths. "Promise me you'll come visit me in the hospital after your brothers rearrange my face."
Riley burst into laughter.
Rebel stumbled, abruptly jerking Daniel from his memories. He nearly pitched over the horse's neck before Rebel righted himself.
Speaking of the hospital...he'd better pay attention, or he'd land himself there tonight.
Relief flooded Daniel when the cabin finally came into view, but he didn't experience the release of tension that he'd hoped to feel. Tonight, wouldn't be anything like that night three years ago. He was sure of it.
He and Riley had found a way to work together peaceably, but they were both so different from the veritable kids who'd made out behind those walls three years ago. Deep down, he sensed this night could turn out miserable—and perhaps painful for him—if Riley decided to go ballistic like she had so many times.
Riley was thoroughly soakedby the time they reached the small northern cabin. The shelter for the horses was little more than a lean-to and was barely big enough for the three animals. Despite wanting to get inside and get warm and dry, Riley stuck by Daniel's side, getting the horses unsaddled and the fencing materials unloaded.
While she fed the horses from the small stash of dry hay kept under a tarp in the corner of the lean-to, Daniel cranked the pump to water the horses from the well. Once they finished caring for the horses, they darted to the cabin.
Daniel opened the door for her and waved her in.
She stepped inside and froze. It was so much smaller and darker than she remembered. Almost claustrophobic. Barely a few feet separated the two twin beds to the left, and the round table that sat in the center of the room was so small, with only two chairs.
Images of the last time she was stuck here overnight with Daniel filled her head. That was the night she'd convinced him they should date. They'd kissed a lot that night.
The thought of spending the night with Daniel in this tiny cabin again, let alone kissing him, caused her heart to race in a way that made her blood pressure skyrocket. Her breathing came faster, yet her chest grew so tight, she feared she might suffocate.
