Page 78 of Fall With Me (Sugarland Creek)

“Then kiss me.”

Taking a step back, I meet her serious expression. “What?”

“I wanna test my theory. If we’ve never dated or kissed before, then there’ll be no instant chemistry or familiarity. If there is, I’ll know I’m right.”

I scrub my palm across my face, desperately trying to think of a way out of this. Ironic considering how long I’ve wanted to kiss her.

“Ellie…”

“What’s the harm?”

“We agreed to wait a month,” I remind her. “And I wouldn’t lie to you about this.”

“That agreement was for a date. This is just a kiss. One little kiss.”

“You’re sure about this? You’re not gonna tell Noah I took advantage or something to get me in trouble?”

“Of course not!” She flinches. “Why? Is that something the old me would do?”

I bark out a laugh. “The old you wouldn’t be standin’ here beggin’ me to kiss her.”

“I’m notbegging.”

I smirk. “Kinda sounds like you are.”

She sighs. “If you’re a chickenshit, just admit it. Or maybe you’re a bad kisser…”

“That’sdefinitelynot it…”

Her shoulders lift. “Alright, if you say so.”

She moves to walk past me, and without hesitating, I grab her arm and pull her back. My palms cradle her face as I lean in and brush my lips along hers. I’m cautious at first, but when she doesn’t pull away, I slide my tongue between them.

My fingers thread through her hair as I cup her head and pull her closer.

She moans against my mouth, her fists tightening around the fabric of my shirt as she takes everything I give her.

I’ve craved her this way for so long, and now that I’ve had a taste, how can I ever go without it again?

When my heart threatens to beat out of my chest, I pull away, gasping for air and seeking reassurance that she doesn’t instantly regret it.

“So what’s the verdict?” I finally ask, swallowing hard as I adjust myself.

“Damn, I was hopin’ that’d prove we were havin’ a secret affair,” she breathes out, but then her fingers touch where my lips had been. “Guess I was wrong after all.”

There’s a hint of deviousness on her face, and then it hits me.

“You played me.”

Her shoulders lift. “And you fell for it hook, line, and sinker.”

“Wow…” I say slowly and dramatically. “Now that’s something the old Ellie would do. Guess she’s still in there somewhere.”

“It was for a good cause, I swear.”

“Mm-hmm.” I fold my arms over my chest and wait for her explanation.

“I read that sometimes memories can resurface from any of the five senses. So I thought maybetouchcould be kissing you and seeing if it triggered anything.”

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