‘Why? aren’t you happy living wherever you please?’
‘Everything gets old eventually. I just think it’s time to put down roots.’ I shrug to conceal the fact that this is only just occurring to me. I want to see Rachel’s boy grow up. And these days, I don’t have to travel so much for work anymore. The business is at a stage where it almost runs itself.’
She looks at and her eyes are full of emotions I can’t read.
‘Do you remember? That one night, when it was just you and me out here?’ she asks, her voice soft.
I nod because I do remember. Vividly. We were alone down here, hiding from Addy. We were way too old to be playing hide and seek, but it was something to do and we were bored of the summer.
I can’t remember how long it took for him to find us, but tensions were high between Kallie and I following the babysitting incident. I’d always liked her, teased her, sure—she was the little sister of my best friend. When I’d called to find he’d blown me off only to have Kallie offer to “entertain me”. Well, things between Kallie and I had changed.
I knew she had a crush on me, but following that night, my feelings begun to grow. And all that changed out here in the woods. As we’d huddled together so as not to be seen—for more reasons that one—the atmosphere had been charged with a white hot electricity. I could hear Addy’s feet trampling through the underbrush as he cursed and called out that we’d be found. But I couldn’t think of that because I could see were her plump lips and her trusting face turned up to mine. A pulse had hammered in my throat as I’d brushed her full bottom lip with my thumb. I’d lowered my mouth to meet hers and it was wonderful. It was the first and only time I kissed Kallie, though in my adolescent mind, we’d experienced so much more.
I swallow deeply. I can’t tell her any of those things. ‘It was a very long time ago,’ I say instead.
‘That’s true,’ she says softly. ‘But it doesn’t make it any less real.’
I glance at her. The sun is setting, its rays lighting her hair like a star. She looks almost ethereal, her pale skin illuminous, her eyes dark and serious.
‘I’m wondering if I you’ll kiss me again. And if you’ll run away.’
“I believeIkissed you. Besides,’ I add, ‘I’m not the only one that left.’
‘You left first. Just like I kissed you first,’ she adds cheekily. ‘It was a good kiss, Josh. Or, at least I think it was. But maybe my memory isn’t all that good. Either way, I think this time, you should be the one to make the move.’
‘Even if I want to,’ I say, almost shaking my head, ‘Addy would never agree. You know how possessive he is of you.’
Kallie shrugs. ‘I don’t give a flying fuck about what my brother says. I’m old enough to decide for myself. And my dad, God rest his soul, isn’t with us anymore. I’m a big girl now, Josh. Haven’t you noticed?’
Fuck, have I noticed. And as she stands quite suddenly, her hand balanced on one cocked hip, I want to kiss the spunk right out of her mouth. Or maybe, fill her mouth with the stuff.
This is a girl that had been terrified of disappointing her father. The girl who sought the shadow of her brother’s approval. I’d thought for sure she’d be married. Someone’s dutiful wife.
I couldn’t have been more wrong. In the place of that girl stands a woman, one who’s confident and sure of herself. And as every man knows, there’s nothing more sexy that a woman who knows what she wants and isn’t afraid to say so.
Unable to help myself, I scramble up from my seat and take her face in my hands, and her eyes fall closed as I slant my lips over hers. It’s a tender, tentative kiss, one that tastes of memories and regrets. A kiss full of sweetness. That is, until she slides her hands to my ass.
Our kiss becomes urgent. What started off tender and slow turns quickly to frantic lips and questing tongues. Our fingers pull and touch, our moans and sighs desperate. As I kiss her hard and deep, she meets my need with that of her own.
By silent agreement, I pull her onto my lap, hooking one knee high over my hip. Her hands pull my shirt from my pants, her roaming fingertips hot on the flesh of my back. She’s so tempting, so ripe, and she moans so beautifully as I slip my hand under the waistband of her shorts, her centre hot searing my palm. I want her so badly, but not just for a quick fuck in the woods. I want to lay her flat, take my time, bring her to climax again and again. I want her to ride me, her full tits held in my hands. I want her naked and wanting. But most of all, I want to do this right.
And for that reason, I break our kiss. We’re both breathing hard, the atmosphere around us charged—loaded with desire. With potential.
‘We can’t do this,’ I say, breathing heavily.
Kallie swallows, looking confused.
‘It’s too soon,’ I repeat. ‘Your dad just died’—God forbid I’m taking advantage of her in her grief. And Addy will kill me.’ Well, he could try. But really, it’s not about him.
‘So you’re just going to leave me again?’ she yell, pushing me hard on the chest with both palms, and landing me on my ass.
I’m up quick and following her, dusting the seat of my pants. My cock aches for relief; there’s no denying how much I want her. But I shake my head, hoping to concentrate on something other than her indignant expression and heaving chest.
‘I’m not leaving you,’ I begin. ‘But I want—’ Fuck, what is it I want to say? I don’t know how to explain to her that if I don’t stop now, I won’t stop at all. As a grown assed man, I have a lot of self-control, but I’ve never been around someone as intoxicating as Kallie. And she’s worth more than a quick fuck on the forest floor.
‘I have to get going, will you tell your mum I’m sorry? I’ll have to make dinner another time.’
I lean forward, kissing her on the forehead before she has a chance to respond. Or to argue. Because, by her expression, that’s what she seems to be preparing. I turn around and walk away. It’s bad form to leave her alone by the stream, but if I don’t walk away now, I’m not sure I ever will.
