“For now, popcorn and a movie?" I ask and she catches her breath. I know it’s something she and Joe loved to do, and I’ve always secretly envied those moments they’d share.
“I’d like that,” she says softly.
We’re going to shed the past together, and maybe Joe would be happy we found each other.
I stop the music from my phone and walk over to the couch. While I go make some popcorn and set things up, she takes off her heels and curls into the corner, knees pulled to her chest, with Fiasco at her feet. I disappear briefly again and return with a soft throw blanket, draping it over her legs before settling beside her, giving some ear scratches to Fiasco and curling my arm around her.Fuck, I love this.
“What do you want to watch?” I ask, scrolling through the options.
“Something mindless.” She taps her fingers on her mouth. “Something that doesn’t make me think about… anything.”
“The Notebook?” I suggest, and that earns me a smack on the shoulder and a bewildered glare.
“You didn’t just insult one of the best romance movies?”
“You’re one of those, huh?” I smile playfully.
“The fuck you mean, Liam! That movie is far from mindless.” She reaches for the popcorn, pops one in her mouth.
“Okay, sailor!”
“Why don’t you put The Matrix on?” she offers and I glare at her.
“No, you didn’t!” I grab her by the waist and start tickling her as her laugh fills the room for the second time this evening.
“Stop! Stop, I’m going to pee myself!” she gasps, squeezing out the words between giggles.
“Say please.”
“Please! I can’t breathe!” she squeals, twisting in my grip.
“Take it back about The Matrix!”
With a burst of strength that shocks me, Sara wriggles free and scrambles to the other end of the couch. Before I can pounce, she grabs a throw pillow and hurls it at my face.
“Never!” She triumphs and smacks me, hard.
I blink in surprise, then grin slowly. “Oh, it’s like that, is it?” I snatch the pillow and swing it.
Sara’s eyes widen is disbelief as we both burst into laughter. She scrambles up, clutching another pillow like a shield. I’ve never seen her so playful besides with Joe, so unguarded. It’s addictive. It’s rejuvenating.
“You wouldn’t dare,” she warns, backing away with a grin that contradicts her words.
“Try me,” I challenge, stalking forward.
When she turns to flee, I lunge at her and she squeals as we tumble back onto the couch, her body sliding beneath mine. The pillow forgets its mission and falls to the floor. We land face to face, breaths catching. My arms bracket her head as her curves presses against my body.
Time blurs. Her laughter fades as our faces draw inches apart. Her hair fans out beneath her head, those brown eyes wide and searching mine.
My heart hammers, hers racing too, and I swallow, the playfulness draining away replaced by something electric and dangerous.
I want to kiss her more than anything I’ve ever wanted. Every cell strain toward her, but I force myself still. It has to be her choice. When I kissed her earlier and the way she had us stop…I want her to be certain this is what she wants. I’ve poured my heart out more than I ever have with anyone else.
Uncertainty flits in her expression, we hover there, tension palpable, combustible, and then Sara reaches up, my hunger for her insatiable.
Her fingertips brush my jaw, tracing from cheekbone to my lips. A primal feeling is ignited in me by her touch, yet I remain frozen, barely breathing. Her eyes search mine for permission, for reassurance or for a reason to stop but I give her absolutely none.
With a fragile breath, she tilts her head and presses her lips to mine, and it’s air to my lungs. I let her lead, offering the safety she needs. She whimpers softly, her tongue seeking mine as the kiss deepens, each sweep sending shivers down my spine.
