Love Under Construction (Love By Design 1)

“Large popcorn, please.”

“And a box of Junior Mints, Milk Duds, and Sour Patch Kids.”

“Drink?”

“Large Coke and that’s it.” I gave the kid money, and he handed me change.

“Are there two more people joining us?” Taylor Jane looked up, and I smirked.

“Nope.”

“And you’re going to let Sour Patch Kids cross streams with chocolate, caramel, and mint?” Her nose scrunched and I kissed the top of it.

“Yup.”

“I’m only getting one word answers now?”

“Uh-huh.” I handed her half the goodies and took her other hand in mine, leading her back to the truck.

“Men.”

I let her grumble until we got back and I picked her up by the waist to sit her on the edge of the tailgate.

“If I didn’t know better, I would think you’re miffed with me.”

“Uh-huh.”

“Oh, I see, turnabout is fair play then?”

“Something like that.”

I moved to stand between her legs, bringing her close to the edge, and ran my hands up the back of her thighs until they cupped her cotton clad cheeks under her skirt.

“Hunter!”

“Taylor Jane?” I let her name drawl across my lips in my southern drawl. I hadn’t been home in years, down south technically, and I’d lost any accent I had the first year I lived here in New Paltz, but this was nice.

Me and Taylor Jane finally on a date of sorts.

“The tailgate is cold.”

“I bet.” I fished around until I found the half full bottle of rum I had been saving for the coke because I knew she liked it. “How about I warm you up?” Handing her the bottle, she cradled it close to her chest. Her eyes glowed, the moon reflecting back, and she popped the top.

“Before the movie?” Smiling, she took a swig, swallowing it down, and I grabbed the bottle from her, taking a shot, savoring the knowledge that our lips shared the same space and were about to share a few more things before the night was over.

“Something like that.” The bottle found its way to a secure spot inside the truck as I inched even closer to her. No one could see my hands moving under her somewhat poufy skirt, so I let them graze her skin slowly.

“I have not been here since high school.” Her nerves vibrated under my palms and I soothed her with long pets under her skirt.

“It’s a good thing we’re a ways off from high school.” Her shudder raked her body, leaving me amused. I was tall and my hips fit nicely between her legs, spreading her wider. I pulled again, jerking her closer and removing the candy from her tightly clutching fingers.

Her hands reached out to brace herself on the tailgate and I took my time to let my lips hover over hers. Our breath met first and I tasted her air. Sweet like rum and hot the way I liked it.

“One kiss.”

“One?”

“Yeah, one.” Soft skin met and mingled to the sound of movie goers behind me. It was dark and the air charged with our own current. Nearly a decade later, and her lips tasted just as sweet. I couldn’t blame the alcohol; I was punch drunk on love. I licked her lips, wetting them, and her tongue darted out to meet mine. She licked her own lips, and I knew she could taste the tangy mint of a Junior Mint I snuck into my mouth on the walk back.