Page 45 of Reclaiming Love

Not single?he assumed, with disappointment.

“We could just hang out here—if you’re not waiting on anyone.”

She blushed, then swallowed. “I’m not seeing anyone, at the moment, if that’s what you’re asking, Noah.”

He cleared his throat. “I wasn’t sure.” He looked at her, a hundred questions running wild in his brain. Though hope rekindled deep inside him.

They sat, gazes interlocked, the thrum of electricity between them. Her lips, the way she smiled, she seemed both unsure and sure, sweet and sexy all at once—it made him want to lean over and put his lips to her mouth. Because from the way her eyes darkened, infinitesimally, the way her lips parted, he wasn’t so sure she didn’t want him to.

The roar in the bar suddenly exploded and the countdown began. From ten … the decibel level rocketed, egged on by a dizzying, whirring, frothing frenzy of racing excitement. She looked his way and if she kept that up any longer, her eyes shiny, her face heated, her lips apart, and her mouth begging to be kissed, he wasn’t going to be able to hold back a moment longer.

The cries reached a crescendo at the stroke of midnight. Lost in the mob of adrenaline and the cacophony enough to rival stampeding elephants, they both jumped to their feet, along with everyone else.

“Happy New Year,” he shouted, desperately wanting to grab her by the arm and pick her up. His stomach knotted; it was hard keeping his emotions reined in, especially here where things had throttled into chaos and people around them were letting loose with abandonment.

“Happy New Year!” she yelled right back, her fingers entwined in her hands, fidgeting, restless.

This wasn’t it—this formal spoken greeting could not be it. It didn’t feel right. It didn’t feel enough.

She held out her hand, in a hand shake gesture. But he shook his head. No, not like this. Adrenalin surged into his veins, and his heart seemed to soar physically in his chest. Unable to hold back, he grabbed her hand and pulled her to him. She came willingly, like a ribbon undone, without an ounce of resistance.

Her gaze dipped to his lips and she blushed some more. The look, this feeling, this moment, sent goose bumps up his back and he knew right then. She felt it too. He inched closer, as did she, until soon they were joined at the hips. She looked up at him and licked her lips.

“Happy New Year, Melissa.” He leaned in a little, felt her soft body sink against his until he was holding her weight completely and then he kissed her soft, wet lips.

They fit just right, like the pieces of a puzzle slotting perfectly into shape the way only two perfect pieces could.

---