Yes…
My stomach flutters again.
Aches.
Tumbles.
My mind falls into an abyss where only this kiss exists, where my plans, my goals, my future are all wiped away and the only thing that matters is having his mouth on mine.
And just as I’m about to drag my tongue against his, he breaks the kiss, his chest heaving, his eyes wide in surprise.
“Fuck,” he whispers, staring at me in awe.
It’s the only word I can think of as well, but I hold mine in, because oh my God, what have I just done?
He swallows thickly, releasing me from his hold. “Um…I’m…”
I shake my head. “Don’t apologize.”
Please don’t.
Because I don’t want an apology, not after experiencing something so out of body like that.
“I wasn’t going to apologize,” he says, lifting my chin so I’m no longer looking at the ground but rather into his beautifully unique eyes.
“What were you going to say?” I ask, just above a whisper so he can hear me over the waves.
“I was going to say, I’m never going to be able to top that kiss…ever.”
Then he tilts my chin back up and steals my breath again with a featherlike kiss, barely connecting with my lips before he steps back, picks up my sandals, and hands them to me.
Stunned and unsure where to go from here, I’m grateful when Theo does the leading by taking my hand in his and walking me toward the path that will lead to the main road, my mind racing the entire time as we both remain silent.
It’s a silence that speaks volumes.
A silence that says…what the hell are we going to do now?
Tilly:You know he’s not going to be happy that you went on your walk alone.
I’m power walking back toward the house after running into Tilly, who was on a walk as well, but she was on her way out while I was on my way in. She gave me a look when she noticed I was alone. A look that said it all.
Renley:I know. I just couldn’t face him.
Tilly:And why is that…
Renley:Long story short, we kissed last night and it was the best kiss of my entire life and I don’t know how to handle it, because he doesn’t know what he’s doing with his life and most likely is going back to London when he’s done messing around here, so…yeah.
Tilly:I’m going to bypass the girly squealing over the best kiss you’ve ever had, offer my congratulations, and say that seems like a lot and warrants a walk alone.
Renley:And this is why you’re my friend. You get me.
Tilly:More than you know. But be warned, you might have just lit the match. He’s going to come in with gas and you know it will only make things worse.
Renley:Something I’d rather face than going on a walk with him this morning.
Tilly:I’d have made the same move. Good luck.
I pocket my phone just as I round the corner to my street to see Aunt Kitty, Rupert, and Theo out in the front yard. Rupert is holding a stick between his legs, hopping up and down and spanking himself.
