Bravely, I slid closer, reaching over to stroke her round cheek again. "You truly are an angel to me."
"I've never been an angel to anyone."
I drew in a long breath, my fingers slipping into her hair. "Well, you're mine. My Angel."
Her eyes widened.
And then my mouth was on hers.
Warm, sweet, indulgent.
She wound her arms around my neck, clutching the back of my hair with tender fingers. When I slipped my tongue inside her mouth, the sound she made was erotic. I pulled her closer, my tongue stroking hers. I cupped the back of her head, holding her close. I never wanted to stop kissing her. It was only the bright lights of a car pulling in and reflecting in the rearview mirror that had us pulling apart, panting. My finger traced her bottom lip. "Should I apologize?"
"No."
"Can I do that again?"
"Yes," she breathed.
"Thank God," I whispered against her lips.
I had no idea how long I kissed her. I didn't know how I even got brave enough to kiss her in the first place, but now that I had, I didn't want to stop. Finally, though, she broke away, her breath warm on my cheek as she snuggled her head into my shoulder. I held her against me, enjoying the closeness.
"Evan?" Her voice was muffled against my chest.
I kissed her head. I liked how my name sounded on her lips. "Hmm?"
"Will you…will you come home with me?"
I tilted up her chin and studied her open gaze. No one had ever looked at me with so much emotion before. It was overwhelming. "God, Holly, I want to. I want to so much. Are you sure?"
"Yes."
I drew in a deep breath and kissed her again. "Take me there, then."
3
Evan
The house she lived in was small. There was the glow of a tiny light coming from the inside. I could see the silhouette of Holly's cat in the window, no doubt waiting for her to come home. Holly shut off the engine, and for a moment the truck cab was silent.
I swallowed hard, thinking she had changed her mind. We had been quiet the whole drive, but our hands were entwined on the seat between us. I stroked her silky skin with my thumb, occasionally lifting her hand to brush my lips over it, when the urge to do so became too strong to resist. Now, I tightened my grip. "I can walk to the motel from here, Holly. It's okay."
Her gaze flew to mine. "No! I…I just need you to know I don't do this. I don't bring men home with me."
"I don't do this either," I admitted. "It's been a long time for me, and I don't have what you might call a great deal of experience with women."
This time, she squeezed my hand. "I don't have a great deal of experience either."
Her honest words made me ridiculously happy.
"I, ah, wasn't really planning on, um," I stammered. "I don't have—" My voice trailed off in embarrassment.
Holly chuckled. "Connie keeps a stock of condoms on hand. I'm sure she won't mind if we borrow a few…or, um, more if needed."
More?
My smile couldn't be contained. Holly's answering smile was shy but heartwarming.