“It is what it is. But the older I get, the more I think I’m going to regret it. These wasted years without talking to them.”
“You never know what might happen when you open the line of communication. I’d give anything to talk to my mom again. Even if it’s for only five minutes.”
A sad look crossed Raemina’s face, and I instantly regretted my confession. But sometimes you needed to realize what you had before it was gone. “I’m sorry. I’m such a jerk. I had no idea she passed.”
“It’s okay. How could you? We don’t go around displaying our pasts. After her long battle with cancer, one of her dying wishes was for me to meet my father. She knew how badly I wanted it. So, I promised her I would. The final straw was finding out my girlfriend was cheating on me and got pregnant.”
“Wow. That’s awful, Gunner. I’m so sorry. My problems seem like small potatoes. Damn, I’m so sorry.”
“No, please don’t apologize. And please don’t invalidate yourself that way. No matter the type of problem, or the size, it matters.” I reached over and squeezed her hand, and her body went rigid beneath my fingers.
A spark flew up my arm and hit me upside the head.
I shouldn’t have touched her…what the hell am I doing?
I pulled my hand back quickly, but she grabbed it and held it in place.
Silence.
Heavy breathing.
Unspoken words.
Unheard whispers.
Then she let it go, sending my heart free falling, as if I could only exist with her touch.
“Gunner, this isn’t a good idea. I don’t want problems here. And I have enough going on in my life. I need to finish school and…” Her voice trailed off as she looked at me through her long eyelashes.
“It’s not a good time for me either. But every time I’m near you all I can think about is kissing you.”
“Gunner…” she whispered my name, and that was it. My heart dived off the cliff.
I wanted her.
She. Was. Mine.
“Raemina…” I growled a warning. More for myself.
Don’t do it.
Do it.
Don’t do it.
Do it.
I leaned in close. Closer. Closer.
Our lips only inches apart…
I grazed her mouth with mine.
And then finally, finally, I took what I wanted.
I kissed her. Slowly, softly at first until I couldn’t hold back.
And when we broke apart, our lips swollen and our chests heaving, I knew without a single doubt Raemina was everything I’d ever wanted in a woman.
