Page 18 of Burn With Me

I’m not worried aboutherhaving an accident at this point but myself. I mentally smack my forehead.

He walks me to my Jeep, and I say, “I had a great time tonight. Sorry you got stuck with just me instead of the whole group.”

“I’m not sorry one bit. It’s been a great non-date, and hopefully you’ll maybe let me take you on a real date soon?” He gets closer and brings his hand to my chin to make me look into his eyes.

My pulse starts to race.

He stares into my eyes, and it’s like he can see into my soul.

And that scares me.

“I’m going to kiss you goodbye to end our non-date now. If you don’t want this, you need to tell me now.”

“Uhhh, okay.” I wonder if I sound as breathless as I feel, but that’s all the permission he needs.

He slides his hand from my chin to behind my ear and moves closer, stopping millimeters from my lips, forcing me to close the distance. For a moment, I realize it’s not like romance books when they talk about feeling a spark with someone.

No, this kiss makes my stomach dip like I’m on a roller coaster.

I gasp at that feeling. He takes advantage and pushes his tongue inside. His kiss is full of want but also promises. I groan and fist his shirt to pull him closer. I might not have had an urge for this in the last five years, but this kiss reignited something in me.

Just as it gets borderline not PG anymore, my stomach cramps again, and I pull away, breathless.

“Knew you would taste so sweet,” he says softly as he looks at me again, and I must look panicked. “Are you okay?”

“Yup, perfect!” I say as my stomach continues to cramp. I try to school my features and check my watch. I should have left five minutes ago.

“Tell me I can see you again?” he asks, and for the first time tonight, he looks nervous.

“Uh, yeah, maybe, but the next couple of weeks are busy, but I’ll text you,” I rush out as I climb into my Jeep and start it up.

“Cool, text me when you get home.” He pauses and looks at me thoughtfully again. “Are you sure you’re okay? You look flushed.”

“Yeah, everything is great! I’ll text you when I get home.” I shut my door, and without thinking, I give in to the impulse and roll my window down. I shock not only myself but him when I lean out and kiss him quickly. “I really had a great night, thanks again.” I lean back in the Jeep, and the look on his face is priceless.

He smirks and backs away. “See you soon, Amelia.”

Rolling my window up, I pull out of there.

I feel the sweat on my brow as the cramps hit harder this time, and I call Pam.

“Well, you took longer than I thought you would after eating ice cream. What made you think that was a good idea?” she says instead of a greeting, and I can hear her laughing.

“Fuck off. You don’t know what I chose to eat, but I need you to talk to me because I very much think I might not make it home,” I say through clenched teeth.

“I know damn right you got your raspberry ice cream. Keep acting like I don’t know you, but if it makes you feel better, as long as you don’t hit any lights, you should be good.” She tries to reassure me. “How was dinner? Tell me about it so that I can distract you.”

“It was shockingly good. We have a lot in common. I still don’t want to date, but I did say I would think about going out with him again, so we shall see.” I stop talking to breathe through the cramps going through my body, and Pam laughs.

“This isn’t funny.I’m dying. My stomach hurts so bad. I’ve made it so long without shitting myself, and I swear to all that is holy, if I shit myself now, I’ll be so mad.” I take a deep breath when my street comes into view.

“Maybe next time you go on a date, you’ll find something better to do than eat ice cream, or you’ll listen to me when I say to get dairy-free. At least you didn’t drive together. Could you imagine that conversation as to why you aren’t talking much and breathing like you’re in labor?” She snorts, thinking she’s hilarious.

“God, I hate you so much right now. But you know my weakness is their raspberry ice cream. Even though dairy hates me. It’s just so good,” I say. “Holy shit, my street has never seemed so long. I’m not going to make it.”

“If you shit yourself in your car, we’ll have to find an out-of-county service to come and clean it. Could you imagine? Maybe I’ll start looking up some options right now,” she says.

I don’t acknowledge her as I turn into my driveway, throw the Jeep in park, and run up to the door. Fumbling with my door code, I finally get in and push past Penny. I’ve never been happier to see my bathroom.

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