“That sounds like a dream. I can’t wait to see it all come to life. That is, if you decide to keep me around,” I joked.
“Hmm,” she said, staring at the ceiling. “I’ll have to think about that.”
“Very funny,” I said. “Let’s start this book.” I put my right arm around her shoulders and held my book with my left hand. She leaned closer to me; her vanilla scent consumed me. I snuck glances her way while we read, fascinated by her many facial expressions.
We stayed in that position reading for a long while, and before we knew it, they were getting ready to close. We stood up from the couch and gathered our things to leave.
“I think I’m going to do a book club for this book. It’s a local author, so I can test out the market,” she said while we walked to my truck.
I opened the door for her. “Great idea. I’ll have to come to the discussion when you have it. I mean, we did sit in there and read without saying a single word to each other for two hours.”
We started heading to her house when I heard her lightly ask, “You’d come?” She had almost a puppy dog expression. I would literally do anything to see her bright smile.
“Of course,” I said. “I am quite the expert when it comes to fantasy romance, remember?” I chuckled. “Even though I think this book is more sci-fi than fantasy.”
“How could I forget?” She shook her head with a smile.
“I have a question.”
“I have an answer,” she replied. She was so spunky, and I couldn’t get enough.
“Can I hold your hand?” I asked, placing my open hand on the console between us. She immediately placed her hand in mine. I closed the gap and wrapped my fingers around hers. Her hands were dainty and soft compared to my large, callused ones.
“Thank you for asking,” she said, staring at our connected hands.
“I was missing your touch after having it for two hours.”
“I was, too. I was just too chicken to ask,” she admitted. “Today was a really good day.”
We soon approached her condo, and I dreaded seeing her go. She was right, today was a good day. She shared more of her hopes and dreams for her bookstore, and we cuddled on the couch, reading. I couldn't picture a more perfect day if I tried.
Once we both exited the truck, we lingered outside her gate. “Can I ask you a question now?”
“Anything,” I said, inching closer to her.
She looked away shyly, playing with the rings on her fingers. “Will you kiss me?” she asked, staring up at me.
I didn’t even hesitate. I closed the gap between us and gently cradled her cheek. “There's nothing I'd like more.”
I kissed her lightly, barely brushing my lips against hers. I went to pull away, but she pulled me back and deepened the kiss.
Her kiss brought me back to life, reminding me of coming home at the end of a trying day.
She was the missing piece I’ve been searching for all these years.
She let out a light moan, and I almost lost it. I pulled her even closer, so our bodies were pressed together. I let my hands wander through her hair and then around her waist. I couldn’t get enough of her.
“We should probably stop before we get ahead of ourselves,” I said, slightly breathless. She nodded and put her arms around me and squeezed tight. I held her in my arms, not wanting to let go. She eventually did and took a step away from me.
“Thank you for the wonderful night, Grant,” she said, walking backward toward her front gate.
“I’ll be counting down the minutes until we can do that again,” I said with a sly smile.
“Goodnight, buff boy.”
“Goodnight, sad girl.”
I watched her until she walked into her house and closed the door. I leaned against my truck with the widest grin plastered on my face.
