And just like that, the uncertainty vanishes, leaving only Leo’s hypnotic green eyes and his kissable lips.
Shifting my head, I breathe his name on an exhale, “Leonardo.”
He seals his lips against mine on a groan, and my lashes flutter closed. One firm press before his tongue flicks against the seam of my lips. I answer his request with pleasure, opening my mouth and turning around in the same instant.
My back hits the tree trunk, the bark digging into my skin. But all I can focus on is the way Leo feels against me. He steps into me, placing his hands on either side of my head against the tree.
It’s a dominant move, one that has my thighs clenching with anticipation. I fist my hands, my fingernails biting into my palms to stop myself from grabbing onto his shirt and pulling him against me.
I don’t know what the hell is going on with me. It’s like Mercury went into retrograde, and instead of messing up my communication skills, it heightens my lust.
Only our lips touch, fused together by passion. And yet, it feels like every nerve ending is alight with expectation, hope.
Vibrating and persistent beeping penetrates the moment, and I pull my head back. I’m slow to open my eyes, savoring the moment. His darkened green gaze holds mine, an intensity I haven’t seen from him yet carved into his features.
“Your purse is ringing.” His voice sounds like gravel and grit and all those delicious things that have my core tingling.
Reaching into my purse with one hand, never taking my eyes off him, I pull out my phone. I spare it a quick glance.
“My car is here.”
“I want to see you again.”
Mirth warms my chest at his directness. I do like a man who knows what he wants. My lips twist to the side. “I’d like that.”
He scans my face for a moment. I’m not sure what he’s looking for, but he must find it. He steps back, trailing his hand down my arm to link our hands again. With a gentle tug, he leads me out from underneath the tree and over to where a running car is double-parked.
We weave between the parked cars, and he gets to the car first. Opening the door with his hand still around mine, he steps to the side so I can get in.
Before I slide into the car, he brings our linked hands together and places another kiss against the back of my hand, right by my knuckles. If he keeps that up, I’m going to start associating kisses there with him.
“Until next time.”
I push onto my tiptoes and brush my mouth across his. “Next time.”
He lets me go, and I scoot into the car. We merge into traffic, but I can’t take my eyes off of him. Not yet.
Bringing my fingertips to my mouth, I press against the swollen skin with a smile.
Now that’s a memorable first kiss.
Chapter Thirteen
MADDIE
I slip my phone into the pocket of my light-wash jean shorts, a smile on my face as I let the warmth of Leo’s text messages sink into my soul. We’ve been out twice more in the last week, and it’s been amazing—he’s amazing. I don’t think I could keep the giddy smile off my face if I tried—and I haven’t tried.
I haven’t seen Aries—my mystery man—at all, and I take it as a sign from fate. Maybe my dreams of several boyfriends will remain a fantasy. The fact is that he probably could’ve found me by now with only a few phone calls, but he hasn’t.
Maybe I’ll see him again, maybe I won’t.
But I’m too excited to see my girls today to worry too much about boys. I mean, I’m dying to tell them all the details, but not beyond recounting romantic kisses under a willow tree—and scandalous romps in the bathroom.
I’m thankful I dressed casual today instead of the off-the-shoulder black romper I laid out last night. It’s so cute, and it’s flattering on me, but it’s a pain in the ass when I have to pee. And it always rides up if I have to walk too long. I can only imagine how bad it would stick to my skin on such a sweaty day.
I’m a couple blocks away from the Blue Lotus Café where I’m meeting Lainey and Mary for lunch. Lainey came back to town—kind of. She’s not actually staying in the city right now, but she’s tagging along with one of her guys today, so we made plans to get together. Honestly, if I was shacked up with the likes of the guys she’s around, I wouldn’t be eager to leave them either.
I hope Mary will be more open with Lainey there. There’s something calming about having her there—not that I think I need a mediator between my sister and I. But I know there’s something going on with Mary, I just can’t put my finger on it yet.