Page 19 of Forever Foolish

“Close your eyes,” he urged softly, seeing his own half-lidded, heated gaze as his thumb brushed against the ticklish side of her mouth. “I’ve dreamed of this moment.”

“Me too,” she breathed, her heart hammering in her chest as she stood there immobile and anticipating whatever was coming next. This felt better than anything she’d ever imagined, and it was humbling to think that he thought about her, too.

As his head descended toward her, she felt his breath warm against her lips and made a small noise in her throat – only to hear his knowing chuckle. Oh gosh, she nearly whimpered aloud, her fingers grabbing his upper arms almost mindlessly as her fingertips dug intothe muscles she felt there. The Army had changed him, toughening him, yet that soft gentle man she’d fallen for was still there encased within.

“J.J…”

“Shh…”

His lips brushed against hers softly with a tenderness that made her knees weak – and then it was over. Right before she could protest or open her eyes, he was dropping another soft kiss on her lips.

And again.

And again.

It was like he was toying with her, dropping soft kisses against her lips, and doing exactly as he’d promised. He was taking his time, savoring this moment between them. Her hands released his arms and slid around his back, holding him close to her only to feel things change with the next kiss.

There wasn’t another sweet, soft, gentle kiss – but this time, he pulled at her lower lip before tasting her. She felt his tongue meeting hers, and there was no helping it. She made an insane, almost snorting noise as everything in her brain, mouth, sinuses, body, and all form and function suddenly went haywire. They both hesitated out of surprise and mortification – looking at each other in confusion before bursting out laughing.

“Oh gosh, I love kissing you,” he blurted out, not holding back. “I love how open you are.”

“I’m dying on the inside right now, and you think it’s cute?”

“Heck yeah, I do – best thing ever.”

“Youlickedme. What was I supposed to do?”

“My love, I haven’t even begun to show you what I want to do – and I never want you to hold back. If you snort whenyou like something, I wanna hear my sweet piggy squealing on our wedding night.”

“Dear God, if you’re listening, you can yank me off this plane of existence now… yup. Anytime now.”

“Chloe, I love you – and I love how intense you respond,” he grinned, cupping her embarrassed and mortified face. “I love that our first kiss made you snort.”

“This never leaves this alcove.”

“Honey, I would never utter a word of what we do, how we react, or how we feel when we are alone – and I promise I will be just as free. You are my heart and soul, so let me see that beautiful being… snorts and all.”

“Okay, ya’ gotta stop with the snort and pig comments. Not sexy or wonderful in the slightest. No, in fact, I feel horrid just thinking that…”

And J.J. immediately silenced her panicked rant, capturing her lips once more with a passion and ferocity that she didn’t realize he had. Her eyes widened, and her hands flew up almost in surrender – only to clasp him into an embrace once more as she met him kiss for kiss. She had no idea how long they stood there kissing, but at some point, he backed away, staring at her.

“My phone is ringing,” he whispered numbly – and she felt something primal within her as she took in his appearance. His hair was mussed up, his lips pinkened from her lip gloss, and his pupils were wide with passion. He stepped back, opening the alcove door, and yanked out his cell phone, quickly calling whoever it was back.

“Yeah?” he barked into the phone. “Dad, really? No. Well, yeah, I’m out of breath… no. We’re having dinner, and I’m nearly twenty-seven. Dad… Dad… no, I don’t have a tone – WHAT?”

His shocked eyes met hers, full of anger and an unspoken apology – before he hung up the phone.

“What’s wrong?”

“My parents brought over dessert,” he bit out angrily, obviously fuming. “They are upstairs, waiting on the side porch.”

“You’re kidding.”

“Nope.”

“J.J…”

“Chloe, I am so sorry that…”

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