Page 39 of On the Line

When I feel her kiss turn eager, I purposefully pull away, if only to leave her unsatiated and craving more.

“You look delectable,” I whisper low, my thumb trailing one last path over her cheek before straightening back up. Her eyes are pinned to mine, her mouth slightly agape, looking like she’s still stuck somewhere in the recent past, kissing me. I smile and head back to the driver’s seat, suddenly feeling a lot more self-assured than five minutes ago.

“Why doesit feel like everyone knows you here?” James asks, ten minutes into our aimless walk around the farmer’s market.

“I used to work here back when I was a teenager, the vendors haven’t really changed since then.”

“Really?” she says as if not expecting that answer.

I laugh. “Why so surprised?”

“I don’t know,” she says, her tone light while picking up some organic honey and inspecting the jar. “I guess, I just pictured you a little bit more …”

“Delinquent?”

She turns around, her mouth falling open in amused shock. “That’s not what I meant.”

“Who says I can’t be both, princess?” I ask, chuckling while I avoid her playful shove.

“If you say so,” she replies, her eyes full of mirth as she moves onto another stall. I follow, happy to just be here with her—somewhere outside of Orso where we can have an uninterrupted conversation.

I could spend the day simply following her around and still ask for more.

But then I remember.

And my smile falls.

I need to know.

“So … what happened yesterday?”

I pick up a random cucumber and pretend to inspect it, hoping my question wasn’t too intrusive. I can’t see her expression, but she falls silent behind me until finally, she says softly, “We broke up. It’s over.”

I feel an evil desire to smile but hell … that loser never deserved her to begin with.

It’s not to say that I’m the one who deserves her, but at least now I can soak upall of herwhile the fun lasts.

She’s mine—until she finds someone more deserving.

Trying to fix my face as best I can, I turn around to look at her. When I realize I’m still holding the cucumber I quickly throw it back where it belongs.

I almost sayI’m sorry. But I’m not. So I settle for, “Are you okay?” I reach for her hand but drop my arm before I even make contact, not quite knowing what to do.

Her lips press together and she gives the smallest of shrugs. “I will be?” Her voice quivers and I immediately regret even bringing it up.

My mind scrambles for something reassuring to say. “Have you ever had stroopwafels? There’s a booth somewhere around here that’s famous for them,” I blurt out.

Idiot.

James’ gaze softens and she laughs. “I don’t think I have, no.”

“Well,” I say, holding out my elbow for her to take. “You’re in for a treat, Jimbo.”

With our stroopwafels in one hand, and coffees in the other we find an empty picnic table near a flower stand and sit. My nerves slowly wane as I watch her enjoy her snack, noticing how relaxed she looks compared to last night. A small, selfish part of me hopes I have something to do with that. And that same selfishness hopes I can continue making her feel this way.

Because something about James just feels …right.

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