Page 17 of Kiss me Forever

Considering she’s waddling around, I wonder how badly she could hurt me. Then again, a woman scorned is a dangerous creature. She means business. She does have an unfair advantage as well since I wouldn’t dare fight back.

“I won’t make false promises, and I won’t intentionally hurt her. I like you too, Livie. Piper has a great best friend in you.”

She finally smiles at me before leaning in and giving me a hug. “Good luck, Magnus. You’re going to need it.” With this she skips away and a shudder runs through me. What am I getting myself into?

The next couple of hours fly by in a blur, and as it turns midnight the last of the kids are picked up and go home. The volunteers clean up until it’s down to Piper and me, just what I’ve been waiting for all night. She looks happy and tired as we do a final stroll through the library to make sure everything has been turned back to normal.

Piper sits on top of a table and gives me a smile. “That turned out so well. I really appreciate all of your help. The parents and children love you,” she tells me, her cheeks flushed, her sleepy eyes adorable.

I move closer, standing in front of her, only a few inches of space separating us. “You did an amazing job with this. Some say that libraries are a thing of the past, but you make this place somewhere safe and fun for the kids to come to.”

“Thank you. That’s my goal. I think kids will stay out of trouble if they’re entertained. Reading’s an adventure and if these kids find a love of books, they might just stay out of trouble. I couldn’t have pulled this off without a lot of help, though, so I really appreciate you giving up a Friday night.”

“This was a lot more fun than I thought it would be.” I move a little closer, laying my hands on the table on either side of her. The air between us crackles with heat. She might be tired, but desire has a way to wake a person up.

I lean in and finally kiss her, my hand cradling her head. She reaches for me, and I pull her tight against me as I finally taste her again, all of my pent-up desire and emotion for this woman showing in the kiss. I’ve been holding back, but I don’t want to anymore. By the time I pull back we’re both breathing heavy.

I could take her right here and now and give us what we both want and need, but tonight has been perfect and I want her to know there’s more to us than just sex. Sure, sex is food for the soul, and it’s needed, but there’s more between us than chemistry. There’s so much more. I’m going to prove it to her.

“I’m taking you on a date tomorrow,” I tell her. I don’t ask. I don’t want her to turn me down. She dreamily gazes up at me and I smile down at her.

“Okay,” she says, her voice husky and soft. It takes all I have not to pull her to me again and take those luscious pink lips of hers in mine. I’m about to lose my resolve when the door chimes.

“It’s all locked up. Let’s get out of here,” Livie calls as she walks into the room, then stops and grins at us. “Am I interrupting something?” She doesn’t seem remorseful at all. I let out a sigh.

“Yep, but it’s okay as Piper looks ready to pass out,” I say.

I scoot back and Piper jumps down from the table. “I am ready to pass out.” She looks at me. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

Tomorrow can’t come soon enough. I walk the ladies out of the library and then sadly climb into my car to leave. It’s going to be a restless night for me. It will be worth it, though, because tomorrow she’ll come back home with me.

Chapter Eleven

Piper

A flutter of excitement rolls through me as I get ready for my date with Magnus. He’s kept the date a top secret, only telling me to wear comfortable clothes I can move in. What does that mean? I’m not sure, but he said comfortable, so I dress in what I can easily breathe in, a pair of jeans, a t-shirt, and a cozy sweater. It kills me not knowing what he has planned, but it’s all about the adventure, which I’m always game for.

It’s eleven in the morning and he shows up right on time, his beautiful smile warming me all over as I open the door to him. It takes all I have not to drag him inside, rip off his clothes, and show him how much I miss his body against mine. For a woman who said I was one, okay two, and done, I’m failing miserably. What girl can resist when a man has been as charming as Magnus, though? I don’t know anyone with that much willpower.

“Ready for an adventure?” Magnus asks, a mischievous glint in his eyes.

“I’m dying of curiosity, but more than ready,” I reply, my body flushing all over.

“Let’s go, then,” he says, taking my hand and pulling me from the apartment. I love the tingle running through me as his fingers hold mine. I wonder if this feeling continues if you’re with a person for years. I have no idea. I can see why passion fades though, if the feeling stops. I’m already used to the tingles, and it’s only been about a month since I’ve been seeing him again after our brief affair a year ago.

He loads me into his vehicle and we drive from my small town, the scenery changing the more miles we go. I’m trying to guess our destination, but I really have no clue. I try to get him to speak, but Magnus is keeping tight lipped, only offering me teasing hints. When we arrive at a small, private airfield, my mouth drops open. He pulls up near a sleek helicopter.

“We aren’t going on that, are we?” I ask with a bit of apprehension.

He grins at me. “Have you ever been on a helicopter?”

I shake my head, feeling a mixture of nerves and exhilaration. “No, they sort of scare me. I don’t understand how a few little blades keep them in the air.”

“They fly every day and there are very few accidents. I don’t get on anything that hasn’t had vigorous safety checks so I assure you it will be amazing,” he says as he helps me from the vehicle. He doesn’t rush me as we stand still while the pilot waits for us.

“Well, I like adventure and challenging myself,” I tell him. “I decided years ago to never let fear keeping me sitting when I can be running.”

“I love your attitude,” he tells me, wrapping his arm around my shoulders and squeezing. “It makes me want to see what else I can do to surprise you.”