“Are you impressed?” he asked. She still had her hand on his knee.
“Maybe a little,” she replied with a smile.
Her lips were perfect. He wanted to feel the shape of her lips under his own. To taste her sweetness. He knew she would be sweet. He could feel it in his bones that her kisses would be the sweetest kiss he’d ever known.
There were no people here. There was no one to walk by and disturb them this time. He had wanted to kiss her all day. He had nearly kissed her in the shed, but he didn’t want her to get in trouble with Mia for kissing on the job.
But here, she could be his.
He reached out and cupped the back of her neck in his hand. Her skin was so soft. He loved the way her breath caught as he touched her. The sunlight gleamed in her hair, bringing out the golden highlights in the dark waves.
Their mouths met, and he was right about her sweetness. Her lips parted, a tease of tongue and teeth, and the lovely liquid weight in his belly increased. The warmth of her kiss heated him straight to the core. Primal desire flooded through him, but he kept himself in check. He wanted to do this right with her.
“Wow,” she whispered as he drew back from the kiss. Her eyelashes flickered on her cheek as she kept her eyes closed. When she opened them, he could see the world in her eyes, and it was beautiful. Wow indeed.
She bit her bottom lip and smiled at him. “I liked that,” she told him softly.
So, he leaned forward and did it again. It was as good as the first time, if not better. This time she flicked her tongue against his lips, taking his taste for her own. Heat coiled in his belly for more than just a kiss.
He pulled back, and she smiled at him again, making his heart thump in his chest. His attraction to her was so much more than physical. It wasn’t just the kiss that had him wanting more. It was her. Her smile, her conversation, her desire to help others. He wanted all of her.
She shivered, and he realized the sun was gone. The sky was dark as stars came out and twinkled in the twilight. At this elevation, once the sun disappeared, it got cold fast, and she didn’t have a jacket.
“Let’s get you to the car,” he said, rising from the bench and offering her his hand. She took it, making his stomach do the happy flip-flop again.
She held his hand all the way to the car and the entire way home. He wanted to take this slow. He wanted to make this feeling last. The tension between them was sweet and yet so delicate. He didn’t want to rush this and fall into bed and find they’d gone too quickly.
He wanted to woo her. He wanted to take care of her and make her his forever. Immediate gratification was always good, but this had the potential to be so much more. He wanted it to be so much more.
He dropped her off at her cabin. Part of him hoped she’d ask him inside to continue what they’d started. To be honest, most of him hoped for that. She didn’t though. She simply leaned over in her chair and kissed his cheek.
“Thank you.” Her voice was soft. “Will I see you tomorrow?”
His voice came out husky. “Yes. Most certainly.”
She grinned and bit her bottom lip again as she smiled and got out of the car
He watched as she went to her door, pausing before going in to smile at him.
Yes, he thought to himself as he watched her and felt his heart pound in his chest. She was worth taking it slow.
Chapter 17
Bonnie
“Thank you, Tyson.” Bonnie took the new roll of paper towels from him with a smile.
“You’re welcome, Bonnie,” the boy replied. He flashed her a shy smile, his brown eyes happy. “I really liked today.”
She gave his shoulder a gentle squeeze. “I thought you might. Was it worth missing our swim lesson for?”
Tyson nodded enthusiastically. “Definitely.”
He looked over at the table where his creation lay drying. Bonnie had set up pudding painting for any kids who were interested. She’d been surprised at the amount of kids that had opted to give up their free time before bed to do an art project. Granted, it was painting with pudding, so it was art and a snack.
It was just Tyson and Bonnie now. He’d wanted to
stay and help her clean up before getting ready for bed. She appreciated the company and loved the way he smiled at her. He was a great kid.