Page 8 of Embracing Trust

“You sound like the voice of experience. How many girls have actually slapped you?”

“Not many, but you remember the ones who do.” His cocky grin holds my gaze to those kissable lips. “You have a sassy mouth, you know that?”

“Why don’t you kiss my mouth?” I asked as he moved closer to me, our faces almost touching. The porch light blinked three times and I groaned.

“What the hell?” Ryan asked as he quickly backed away from me.

“My mom’s little warning sign. It’s time for me to go in.”

“She’s not watching us out the window or something, is she?”

I shrugged. “Maybe…” I tipped my head and licked my lips. “Now, are you going to kiss me or not?”

He growled and pulled me into his arms. “This might be the first one, but it won’t be the last, Julia.”

Not the last? What?My knees turn weak, and my heart accelerates, practically beating out of my chest. I’ve never had a boy talk to me like this.

Our noses bumped awkwardly. Although this wasn’t my first kiss, it was my most important kiss. I didn’t think I could really count Sammy Snyder when I was twelve and definitely not that sloppy kiss at the matinee with Lucas Weaver when I was fifteen. This kiss was perfect.

Ryan tilted his head to one side and his lips met mine tenderly. We quickly broke apart, not taking it any deeper, but he continued holding me in his strong arms.

Whenever I was with him, he was attentive and caring—always holding open doors for me, listening to my problems about school. And when we talked about the sticky parts of my life that I wasn’t very fond of revealing, he listened intently and not only offered his support, but he made me feel safe. No one had ever made me feel that way before. I was beginning to trust him, which scared me.

I giggled. “You taste like chocolate ice cream,” I whispered and licked my lips.

“You taste like peaches,” Ryan said, lifting an eyebrow. I loved it when he did that with his brow. I thought it was sexy and he did it whenever he was flirting or teasing.

“I had a good time tonight,” he said with a casual smile.

“Me too, except you really need to learn to dance better,” I replied, rocking into him with a mischievous grin and a wink.

He grabbed his chest and let out a dramatic moan. “You’re killin’ me.”

“Seriously,” I said. “I had a really good time tonight. Thank you.”

“I did too. And by the way, that dress…” his voice lingering.

“What about it?” I looked down at the pink form-fitting dress with the scooped neckline.

He moaned. “It does crazy things to me.”

The porch light blinked again. I’m sure if Mom had her way, our little twilight soirée would have ended ten minutes ago.

I rolled my eyes. “I have to get inside.” I sagged against the front door. I love my mother dearly, but her timing was simply not working in my favor tonight.

“I’ll see you at school,” he said and did a shuffle, but when he tried to smoothly make his way back down my porch steps, he stumbled but managed to right himself by grabbing the railing.

My mouth fell open. “You okay?”

“Never better,” he called as he attempted a two-step down my sidewalk to his father’s car.

I jump when my phone buzzes, which pulls me from my thoughts. I open my clutch purse and find a text notification from Merilee. Her message simply reads, “Home.” I reply with a thumbs-up emoticon, set the phone next to me on the couch, and let my head fall back again, closing my eyes.

I take a deep breath and blink away the tears. I struggle to take another deep breath as I wipe my eyes. Seeing Ryan and being around my friends brings everything back. It was in my face tonight—like I couldn’t escape. Tomorrow will be even more intense. All day with him at a wedding and watching my friends get married. How will I get through? I could barely hold it together tonight.

I groan. “I need to get to bed,” I say to my empty living room.

Once I’m in bed, I toss and turn, unable to get comfortable. Thoughts of Ryan are in the forefront of my mind. I finally get out of bed, open my bedroom window, and peer out. The beach is dark and empty. I breathe in the aroma of the salty ocean. It’s like a salve to my aching heart.

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