He froze, the question in his eyes growing.
I took a deep breath and reached out, sliding my hands over his solid chest covered in a thin cotton shirt. I felt his heart beating madly behind his ribs. Almost as fast as mine.
My fingers shook as I grasped the collar of his shirt and leaned in closer.
I’d never kissed a guy before.
I mean, I’d been kissed, but I’d never been the kisser.
This was an entirely new experience for me, and I wasn’t sure what to make of it.
I knew one thing, though—I liked that he was giving me the choice.
Not that I hadn’t enjoyed the other two kisses—you know, before I smacked him the first time—but this one, it was going to mean the world to me in a way I could never explain to him. I studied every feature of his face from his dark heavy brows, to his carved cheekbones, and full lips. I even studied the area around us—the sand, the moon, the stars. And I listened closely to the sounds of the night—the chirps of insects, the roar of the ocean, and off in the distance the twinkling of a piano. I wanted to remember everything about the moment because it was a first for me.
Each second felt like a minute as I leaned in closer.
Closer.
Closer.
Closer.
I pressed my lips against his. Neither of us moved at first, like we were both memorizing the feel of the other, and then…
And then it was like a bomb went off.
The air cracked around us with electricity as the kiss grew in fervor. My fingers locked around the back of his neck, my body pressed fully into his. His hands slid down to my waist where he grasped my hips and pulled me onto his lap. My knees dug into the wet sand, and I felt the fabric of my sweatpants grow damp. The new position gave me more leverage, and I grasped his stubbled cheeks in my hands. I leaned down, deepening the kiss, and unconsciously rolled my hips against his.
I let out a soft moan that was quickly swallowed by his groan. His fingers tangled in my hair as he held me to him. His tongue swiped against mine, and my nails dug into his arms as I tried desperately to keep myself upright.
Note to self: Liam Wade’s kisses make you lightheaded.
I broke the kiss, and his breath fell across my lips. His hands tightened in my hair, holding me in place so he could rest his forehead against mine.
I closed my eyes and heard him let out a soft chuckle. When I opened them he was full on grinning.
“Hi,” I said stupidly.
His smile never wavered. “Hi.” He kissed the end of my nose in a tender gesture I wasn’t prepared for. I’m pretty sure my heart skipped a beat or two.
He wrapped his arms around me then and held me.
Just held me.
And I didn’t realize until that moment how much I needed that. To have someone hold me and feel comfort.
For the moment, at least, it felt like everything would be okay.
But I knew I couldn’t let the magic of the night fool me. Daylight would come, and with it the harsh reality that I couldn’t have this.
I couldn’t get attached.
I couldn’t.
I couldn’t.
I couldn’t.