Page 31 of Lime Tree Hill

Her phone still in her hand, Tayla left the pantry and flopped down on the sofa. Tim had a point. Kissing Mitch for the first time in front of Luka, the celebrant, and Tim would be awkward. But asking for a practice kiss—absolutely humiliating.

Tayla:I’m chewing my lip…

Tim:Ha-ha. I would be too if I was about to marry Mitch.

14

TO THE LETTER

Mitch glancedup when Tayla knocked on his open office door. With her hair in a messy knot, freckles fading across the bridge of her nose, and her lips bare, she looked breathtakingly carefree.

“Hi. I’d like a quick word if you’re not too busy?”

He stood. “Sure. Come in.”

She inched inside. Hesitant.

He strolled over and closed the door behind her. She remained standing, her fingers fiddling with the keys in her hand.

“I was wondering if we could maybe have a practice.”

“Practice?” He frowned. “What kind of practice?”

“It’s just…” Tayla glanced away. “What happens when we get to the ‘kiss the bride’ part? I don’t want it to be awkward.”

Mitch rubbed the back of his neck, wanting to smile at her request. But she was deadly serious, so he’d be the same. “Okay.”

“And please don’t be a dick about it. I’d rather our first kiss be in private, that’s all.”

“You do realize there will only be the five of us?”

“I know, but the celebrant has to think it’s legit, or she may refuse to marry us. Or revoke it. Or…anyway, you know what I mean.”

“Good point.” He’d wanted to kiss Tayla that night they played touch rugby. But now, with her suggestion hanging in the air, Mitch unexpectedly felt nervous. And apart from his first time, in the back seat of Ella Stone’s car, he’d never been nervous around women. “Shall we go upstairs?”

She chewed her bottom lip and shook her head. As he stepped closer, she whispered, “Here’s fine.”

Mitch took the keys from her hands and placed them on top of the filing cabinet behind her. He’d longed to touch her hair ever since that first day in Simon’s office. To smell and taste her. But as his hands held hers, she inhaled sharply and trembled.

He dipped his head to meet her gaze. “Are you sure?”

Tayla nodded, keeping her focus downward. Mitch cupped her face, and as he brushed a kiss against her lips, she stilled. He pulled back, caught her hesitation, then bent down again, kissing her longer this time. Her response surprised him, the slow pleasure and inviting warmth of her mouth. Just as he went to deepen the kiss, a knock on the door pulled her away with a jolt.

“Hey, Mitch,” Ned called. “Someone’s here to see you.”

He looked over his shoulder, mumbling, “Shit” under his breath. “Okay. Thanks.”

A red-faced Tayla picked up her keys and opened the door. Before he had time to react, she darted from the office. He watched her stride past the conveyer belt, the taste of her fresh on his tongue and his jeans a little tight at the fly.

As Mitch went to go after her, he noticed Ella Stone sitting on the bench outside his office. He frowned. “Ella. What can I do for you?”

“Mitch.” She stared after Tayla hurrying across the packing shed and onto the driveway. “I hope I wasn’t interrupting anything.”

His gaze flicked toward Tayla. “Nothing that won’t keep.”

“Is she a client?”

Mitch turned to look at her. There was no point in being secretive. “No, she’s my girlfriend. Fiancée actually.”

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