“Right. Right field,” Devin managed as his heart jitterbugged in his chest. He kept his hands balled into fists in his pockets. “Cassie, I’m fine.”
It was the tone, the sharp impatience in it, that had her stopping. “You are mad at me.”
“I’m not mad at you. Damn it, I’m not mad. Look.” Frustrated beyond belief, he snatched the blood-spotted tissue from her hands. “What’s this?”
“It’s blood. I told you your mouth—”
“Blood,” he said, interrupting her. “That’s what I’ve got in my veins. Blood, not ice water. So if you’re going to keep leaning up against me and putting your hands on my face, I—” He cut himself off, clenched his teeth. “I’m not mad,” he said, more calmly. “I need to take a walk.”
Cassie gnawed at her lip as he strode away into the little grove of trees that lined the east side of the park. The idea of losing his friendship gave her all the courage she needed to follow him.
He stopped, turned, and the heat in his eyes was like an arrow in her heart. “I’m sorry,” she said quickly. “I’m sorry, Devin.”
“Don’t say you’re sorry to me, Cassie, you have nothing to apologize for.” Where the hell was everybody? he asked himself. Why weren’t there people in the grove? He couldn’t risk being alone with her now, when he didn’t have himself under complete control. “Go on back, Cassie. Go on, now.”
She started to. It was second nature for her to do as she was told. But she couldn’t, not this time. Not when it was so important. “If you’re not mad, then you’re upset. I don’t want to be the cause of that.”
It was hard, almost terrifying, to step forward, when there was still temper simmering in his eyes. She knew he wouldn’t hurt her, of course she knew, but there was a part of her that couldn’t be entirely sure. But for Devin she’d risk it.
“It’s because I kissed you,” she blurted out. “I didn’t mean anything by it.”
The temper drained from his eyes. They were blank now, carefully blank. “I know you didn’t.”
“You kissed me back.” Her heart was pounding so hard she could barely hear herself speak. “You said you were angry with yourself for doing it, but I don’t want you to be. I didn’t mind.”
“You didn’t mind,” he repeated, spacing out the words. “Okay. We’ll put it aside. Go on back now.”
“Why did you kiss me like that?” The words ended on a whisper as her courage began to flag.
“Like I told you, you caught me off guard.” When she only continued to stare at him with those big, soft eyes, he felt something snap. “Damn it, what do you want from me? I apologized, didn’t I? I said it wouldn’t happen again. I’m trying to stay away from you, and it’s killing me. I’ve waited to kiss you for twelve years, and when I do I practically eat you alive. I didn’t mean to hurt you.”
Her knees were starting to shake, but it didn’t feel like fear. She knew fear well enough to recognize it. But whatever this was that was working through her was unfamiliar.
“You didn’t hurt me.” She had to swallow. “I didn’t mind. I don’t mind.”
He was trying to get a bead on her, but wasn’t sure of his aim. “I want to kiss you
again.”
“I don’t mind,” she repeated, because it was the best she could do.
She didn’t move as he stepped toward her, had no idea if she should touch him. She would have liked to run her hands up those arms, they were so strong. But she wasn’t sure.
Then she didn’t have to worry, or think, or try to guess. He laid his hands on her cheeks, framing her face, and lowered his mouth to hers, so gently, so patiently.
Her heart fluttered, and the sensation was sweet, like something flying silently out of a cage when the door has been opened unexpectedly. When he drew her closer, just a little closer, she thought she floated toward him. Her lips parted on a sigh of quiet wonder.
This was what he meant to do, always. Show her tenderness and care. Let himself slide into her, slowly, gently. The dappled shade was perfect, sweetened by the call of birds and the tang of wildflowers.
This was what he’d meant to do, he thought hazily, and deepened the kiss with patient skill until she sighed again.
And all the years he’d waited and wanted seemed like minutes, now that she was here, with him.
The sound of the shouts and laughter from the field beyond was like the buzz of happy bees in her head. She didn’t realize she’d lifted her hands, curled them around his wrists, until she felt the strong quick beat of his pulse against her fingers. She held on as lovely colors began to revolve in her head, as the kiss went on and on, spinning out time.
He didn’t let her go until her hands had slipped weakly from his wrists to fall to her sides.
Her eyes were still closed when he lifted his head, when he moved his hands from her face to her shoulders. As he watched, she pressed her lips together, as if to draw in that last taste, and savor it.