Then he kissed her as if they had never kissed before. A low pleasant hum slipped from her mouth when his lips claimed hers. Her arms encircled his neck. Did he lift her off her feet? Her brain fuzzed with static unable to concentrate on anything but him. She loved being in his arms.
Deepening their kiss, he stole her breath. As his soft pecks lingered over her lips, her brain turned to mush. He must have set her back on her feet, because she sensed the ground beneath her once more. Then his hand caressed her cheek trailing all the way back to the nape. Leah’s body temperature rose to new heights. Goosebumps raised on her skin. When he broke away, she gasped.
Cole smiled against her lips. “I told you I missed you.”
“I see,” she said.
Chip barked, and the couple laughed.
Leah then rested her head against his chest. He kissed the top of her head. She inhaled his scent as her eyes shut. Was it too soon to say she loved him? They only had one date, not counting their dinner together since he left abruptly. Cole stroked her back as if he wasn’t in a hurry to move. She gladly stayed.
“You know…” he said, “With the festival this weekend, I will need a date.”
She raised her head to look up at him. “Oh, really?”
He clutched her tighter. “You know anybody in town that would like to go with me?”
“Kind of short notice don’t you think?” she joked. “A woman needs time to prepare.”
He laughed. “What?”
“Yeah, to coordinate outfits, hair, makeup, and don’t get me started on the shoes.”
“You’re too much, you know that, right?”
“Not for you though.” She stroked his stubble, tracing his chin with her fingers.
His eyes turned serious, smoldering with intensity. “You’re more than enough for me, Leah Morris. You’re everything I ever wanted.”
She melted like ice. Where did he come up with such sweet things to say? Did he know his words washed over her like sea waves? Speechless, she raised on her tiptoes and kissed him again. He returned the sentiment, his lips meeting hers. Leah ran a finger across his jaw, and when they broke away, she grinned.
“I’d love to go with you.”
“What?” he asked.
Leah stifled her giggle. “The spring festival, Cole. Remember?”
He rubbed his forehead with a smile. “Right, the festival. I’m sorry you…” His eyes gazed into hers. “You…”
“I know.”
They both laughed.
Chapter 28
Cole tapped his foot as he leaned against his pickup. Then his eyes lit when Leah emerged from her front door. She hugged the woman inside and then hurried to him. Wrapping her arms around his neck, he scooped her off the ground.
“Somebody’s happy to see me,” he joked.
“Like you weren’t counting the minutes,” she said.
He set her back on her feet. “More like seconds.” His lips brushed over hers as he cradled her face in his hands. Hers enclosed his waist, and the heat arched up his back.
“I’m assuming I’ll see you two at the festival,” a female voice interrupted.
Leah and Cole broke away to find Mrs. Hartley staring with her glasses hanging from her nose.
“How are you, Mrs. Hartley?” Cole asked.