Falling in Love (Rockford Falls 5)

I turned my head slightly toward her and brushed my lips to hers. Michelle’s lips clung to mine as I kissed her gently, slowly, coaxing her to open for me and to draw my tongue into her mouth. My body shifted toward her, dropping books and kneeling on wet carpet to gather her in my arms. The curve and dip of her body molded against my chest and her arms went around my neck. The kiss was unhurried and playful, her fingers twisting in my hair. I gave her a deep stroke of my tongue and she moaned that soft, sweet sound I knew so well, a sound that lived in my blood all those years.

When we broke off the kiss, she smiled at me, cheeks pink and lips reddened, “You sure know how to kiss, Drew Casey,” she said.

“I like kissing you,” I said simply, “Always have. Since that first Fourth of July.”

“I remember,” she said. “And I remember sneaking back here with you and making out.”

“Making out with you in semi-public places was my favorite extracurricular in high school,” I said with a grin.

“You would have lettered in that sport,” she said, “it might not be as popular as football, but you were a total star at it.”

“If I’d played football I couldn’t have spent all my time with you.”

“Oh, it was time well spent. I bet all those guys that could kick a field goal couldn’t find… crucial spots you were good at locating,” she teased.

“You mean like the time I made you come right here against this wall, rubbing you through your shorts?”

“I could’ve killed you. I almost screamed,” she laughed, shaking her head.

“You could’ve killed me because we would’ve been caught or because we went to third base in the library?”

“Both, but it didn’t stop me from meeting you here again. I bet I swore I wrote more papers for high school English than anyone ever has.”

“You got all your homework turned in, valedictorian. My seduction didn’t keep you from making straight A’s.”

“I did all right,” she said, getting to her feet and gathering books.

We worked another hour before she decided to quit for the evening. When I asked if I could take her to get something to eat, she turned me down and said she was tired. We didn’t talk about the fact we’d slept together the day before, or that all these feelings—God! I couldn’t be the only one affected by suddenly having her back in my life. She had to feel something, even if it wasn’t as strong as what I did.

I couldn’t be sure where her head was at, but with all the stress over the storm damage at the library, I knew she didn’t need to be pressured. I’d be a patient man. I was happy because we’d spent time together, teasing and kissing and passing notes. Things might be moving forward with Michelle and me, and I wanted that. I just hoped she wanted it too.

19

Michelle

I pulled up at Nicole’s house with a bottle of wine, ready to see my friends. The week had been long and eventful and confusing. I was long overdue to catch up with my girls.

When I knocked on the door, Trixie and her little boy Ashton answered. He squealed and handed me a monster truck he was holding.

“Hi, buddy!” I said, picking him up and giving him kisses. He wriggled away and ran off.

“He’s here till Damon’s off at the station in about half an hour,” she said, taking the wine. “And I see you brought my favorite.”

“Damn right I did,” I said. “And your boots are in my car, all cleaned up.”

“You can hang on to them as long as you need them. It’s not like we’re going to jump in any puddles around here in summer.”

“Right, like that storm didn’t make puddles?”

“The ditches out by our place were overflowing and part of our yard was under. I wouldn’t even let Ash play outside. I had to watch sooo much Bluey this week,” she said. “It’s a good show, but I need this wine for real.”

“It’s been a week,” I said with a sigh.

“Nic’s bathing Coop. He got yogurt all over himself and her at supper.”

“Tell her it’s like getting a facial. A yogurt skin treatment,” I said.

We went to the kitchen and opened the wine. I poured us each a glass.

On the couch, we settled in with our wine while Ashton rolled his trucks up our legs and across our laps.

“Toddlers have no sense of personal space,” she said.

“How’s the flower shop?”

“Doing amazing. I found a local supplier that’s growing roses and peonies and stuff about two hours from here. Great quality and I can save money on freight.”

“I know you like to use local goods when you can. It’s good for the area. I’ll have to stop in and get some flowers for when the library reopens. I hate keeping it closed when the kids’ section and part of fiction are fine, but it’s nasty and smells wet.”