She lifted a shoulder.
It wasn’t exactly a no. There was a slim chance that Silas could prove to Miriam that he was never going to hurt her again. If he let her drive away now, he knew he’d miss his opportunity.
He reached out and caressed her cheek with his hand. It was just as soft as when he’d touched it at the school. He leaned forward just enough so that their faces were perfectly lined up and held his breath. Then he closed his eyes and pressed his lips against hers.
It was a bold move that had a high chance of blowing up in his face.
Thankfully, it didn’t.
Miriam barely hesitated before she kissed him back. Her fingers combed through his hair and landed on either side of his face, keeping him there. Not that she needed to hold him. Silas wasn’t going anywhere. Her lips moved against his in a frenzy, the smell of jasmine invaded his senses.
This kiss was going to change everything.
He moved the hand that was resting on her cheek down her neck and shoulder until it rested on the top of her arm. Without slowing down, he pulled her closer.
He didn’t care that her car was parked on the road where anyone could see. Silas wanted the world to know they were together. Now that he had her, he never planned to let her go.
Slowly, their hurried movements turned into something sweeter, until the kiss stopped. Neither of them pulled back right away. Their lips barely touched as their breathing returned to normal.
When Miriam pulled back, there were tears in her eyes. “I’m glad you kissed me, Silas.”
Glad?The last time he checked, people didn’t cry after kisses they enjoyed. “Why—”
“I’ll never forget it.”
What was going on?One minute he was enjoying the most amazing kiss of his life. The next it sounded like Miriam was saying goodbye. He was in such shock that he didn’t fight when Miriam started pulling the car door closed.
As she started up her car and pulled away, Silas realized the kisshadchanged everything, just not in the way he had hoped.
That wasn’t a make up kiss.
It was a goodbye kiss.
Miriam
“You what?”Allie screeched.
Miriam covered her face with her hands. “I know.” She couldn’t believe that it had actually happened.
Allie was silent for a long time.
The quiet made Miriam uncomfortable. She was dying to know what Allie thought about the fiasco from the day before. Miriam moved her hands and looked expectantly at her best friend. She was leaning against the back cushion of Miriam’s pink sofa. Her eyes were trained on the wall and gave nothing away.
She silently willed Allie to say something—anything.
As if she knew Miriam was about to break, Allie lifted a corner of her mouth into a sly smile. “How was it?”
Miriam closed her eyes and let out a dreamy sigh. She could still feel Silas’ lips against hers. “It was the best kiss of my life.”
Allie laughed. “You act like it was the first time you’ve ever kissed him.”
“It felt like it.” She opened her eyes and looked at Allie. “There was something so familiar about it, and yet it was different somehow. His mouth—”
“I’m gonna stop you right there.” Allie held up her hand. “I asked how it was, not for all the intimate details. I’d like to keep my breakfast down, if you don’t mind.”
Miriam elbowed her friend. “It’s a kiss. It’s not like I’m talking about how hard his muscles are.”
Allie made exaggerated gagging noises. “Now you’re just trying to make me sick.”
