Page 10 of Falling For Us Again

She scoffs. “Why would you help me with it?”

I chuckle. “That’s what we do in small towns, we help each other. Why won’t you take me up on my offer to help you?” I take a step towards her, the space between us shrinking with tension. “Does my presence affect you that much?”

“Please! Does mine?” She retorts, her chin lifting stubbornly. “Why else would you be driving out of your way to my place in the middle of the afternoon when you have a business to run?”

“Maybe it does.” I am so close to her that I can feel her breath against my skin. “After all, we used to be lovers.”

“Very good lovers.” I continue.

“That was a decade ago, I barely remember it.” Her voice trembles slightly.

“A decade ago, but somehow it still feels like yesterday,” I say, my heart hammers in my chest at the closeness of our bodies, a decade of longing crashing over me all at once.

She slips a tongue over her lips, and my eyes latch on it. I only need to dip my head lower the tiniest bit. I want to taste the familiar sweetness that lay behind that sassy mouth.

I close the space between us, bringing my lips to meet hers in a deep kiss. It is as though no time has passed at all as our lips move together in a familiar rhythm. I slip my tongue into her mouth, tasting, exploring, and pressing her body closer to mine with a firm arm around her waist.

Jenna moans against me as she wraps an arm around my neck, kissing me back with equal fervor. The kiss deepens as I back her up against a wall, running both hands down her hips to grab her butt and lift her up against me.

She leans her head back with a moan, her fingers threading through my hair as I kiss my way down her neck towards her breast.

The sound of footsteps breaks through our passionate moment, and we jerk apart as if zapped.

“Jenna?” calls a voice excitedly.

“Shit,” I curse under my breath as I pull away from her. Color rushes to Jenna’s face when she looks at me. I can tell she’s annoyed at herself.

“It’s okay, Jenna. I want you just as much.”

“I don't want you.” She retorts sharply as she brushes past me, running her hands through her hair.

“Jenna?”

It’s Lola, our close friend from high school and Jenna’s best friend in Hartlow. Her voice is closer now.

“Lola. I’m here.”

Jenna walks to meet her and Lola squeals in happiness as they envelope each other in a tight hug.

“Jenna, I missed you.”

“I missed you too.”

“Argh, I can’t believe you’re here!”

“I can’t believe I’m here either.”

When they pull away, their faces are awash with excitement and genuine happiness—nothing like the cold reception I’d received.

“Dylan, I didn’t know you were here.” Lola’s eyes widen as she glances at both of us. “Our complete reunion in a decade under this roof. Who would’ve thought?”

“Soooo… what are you two doing?” The implication hung in the air.

“Nothing.” Jenna says a little too loudly. “He just dropped by uninvited.”

Lola and I chuckle at her nervousness.

“I didn’t realize you were coming back today. How was the exhibition?” I turn to Lola.

---