Page 22 of Vineyard Dreams

Elle got lost in Harper’s eyes.

“Can I kiss you?” Harper asked after a moment.

The warmth of Harper’s hand on her cheek sent a wave of longing through Elle. “Yes.”

Harper’s eyes, dark and intense, drew her in, and she leaned in, her lips brushing against Elle’s, a feather-light touch that sent a rush of desire through her.

Elle’s heart raced as Harper’s lips gently pressed against hers. It was a gentle kiss, a questioning exploration, as if Harper was giving her a chance to pull away, but Elle found herself leaning in, her hands resting lightly on Harper’s hips.

The hesitation from the other night was gone as Elle’s lips parted against Harper’s, and a low moan escaped Elle’s lips when Harper’s tongue glided over her own. Elle gave in this time, her hand slipping under the hem of Harper’s tank top, her palm splayed across her back as they deepened the kiss.

Elle had thought about it when she couldn’t fall asleep after their first kiss, but it had shocked her how well they had kissed. It was nothing like her other first kisses had been. There was something so intense about being around Harper that it shouldn’t have surprised her that this was happening again tonight.

Elle couldn’t get enough of her. Her other hand slid up the outside of Harper’s thigh, and then before she even realized what she was doing, Elle had backed Harper up as they kissed until her legs bumped against the kitchen table. A small sound escaped Harper’s lips, a soft gasp that Elle felt against her own mouth.

With a gentle nudge, Elle guided Harper up onto the table. She wanted Harper to know, without a doubt, that this was real, that Elle wasn’t going to run away this time. She deepened thekiss again, parting her lips, her tongue searching, eliciting a soft moan from deep within Harper’s throat.

Harper’s hands found their way to Elle’s hair, pulling her closer, and Elle’s entire body hummed with desire. She broke the kiss for a moment, her breath coming in short, ragged gasps. Her eyes met Harper’s, searching for any sign of hesitation, any hint of doubt. But there was none, only a reflection of her own burning need.

She kissed Harper again, this time with a fierceness that surprised even herself. She wanted to erase the uncertainty, the fear, the years of holding herself back. She wanted to lose herself in this moment.

Harper’s fingers tightened in her hair until she broke the kiss, her lips pressing kisses along Elle’s neck and up to her jaw.

A moan left Elle’s lips, and then Elle was guiding Harper’s lips back to her own, hungrily kissing her as her palm slid up Elle’s thigh, moving over the smooth fabric of her leggings.

Harper pulled away. Her fingertips traced Elle’s jawline, her light touch sending a delicious shiver through her. Their eyes met, and Elle could barely think over the pounding of her heart and the intensity with which she wanted Harper.

“Are you okay?” Harper asked, her voice husky with desire.

“Yes.” Elle was more okay than she’d been in a long time, and she wasn’t going to let her own doubts and fears get in the way of feeling something for the first time in so many years.

Harper’s touch was electric, sparking a flame within Elle that threatened to consume her. Elle’s hands trembled as they rested on Harper’s hips, the warmth of Harper’s skin seeping through the thin fabric of her tank top.

Harper leaned in again, her lips capturing Elle’s in a kiss that was both tender and fierce. Elle’s fears melted away as she surrendered to the moment, and Harper groaned as Elle deepened the kiss again. Their tongues danced together, andElle’s heart raced as she lost herself in the kiss, her body pulsing with desire.

Harper’s hands slid down from Elle’s hair, her fingertips tracing the curve of Elle’s neck. Harper’s hands lingered a moment longer, then she pulled away.

Elle’s eyes fluttered open as she met Harper’s gaze. A playful smile curved Harper’s lips as she took in Elle’s flustered state.

“How about we take our wine into the living room and talk for a while?” Harper suggested.

Elle’s brain struggled to process Harper’s words. She wanted to kiss her again, wanted to tear her clothes off, and feel the warmth of her skin against her own. She opened her mouth, but no sound came out.

Amusement danced in Harper’s eyes. “I can see what you’re thinking.”

Elle’s cheeks flushed, and she took a steadying breath, trying to gather her scattered thoughts. She stepped back, and Harper slid off the table.

“I was thinking,” Harper continued, her voice soft and reassuring, “Maybe on Friday, after dinner, you could stay over if you wanted.”

Elle pressed her lips together, her heart still racing. “I’d like that.”

Elle picked up her wine glass and followed Harper into her living room, wondering why they’d ever agreed to take it slow.

15

Harper stacked the last plate onto the small pile and glanced at Elle.

“So,” Elle began, her voice hesitant, “about tonight…”

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