Page 46 of Reclaiming Love

Chapter 26

The sizzle sizzled, even her fingers tingled when he kissed her for eternity, and she melted right into him.

He slowly pulled his lips away and stared at her as if looking for her reaction. She gazed back at him with drunken eyes, feeling the rush of blood through her body, feeling fuzzy and faint.

Her body wanted his kiss, his lips, his touch, his feel, as much as she wanted to breathe. She drew her head towards him, felt his fingers tighten around her waist as she looped her arms closer around his neck.

All the while he looked at her, a silent request for permission, which she gave, moving her head in for another kiss. She angled her head and met his lips, so soft, so warm, so lovely, as they sank against hers, his arms wrapped around her lower back wedging her against his body.

This time their kiss was longer and deeper, as tastes mingled, scents meshed, and left her wanting more.

She moved against him, feeling needed, feeling warm and soft as his tongue played with hers. It was a mixture of too much and not enough. She tightened her hold and moved her arms, a little more confidently, across his shoulders, claiming him, and moaned softly, never once breaking the kiss. More shivers showered her, arousing her further, until he broke the heat and pulled apart, needing to breathe. His lips brushed her forehead and they stood together, arms entwined, hearts beating, joined all the way.

She tilted her head back and looked at him in silence for a while. Then she asked him, “What are you thinking?”

His cheeks lifted when he smiled and he tightened his hands around her waist. “I’m thinking what a great start it is to the new year.”

The warmth from his words, from him, spread all over and when he bent down again, and kissed her—a longer but lighter kiss this time. Her belly flopped. She ran her hands through his hair, refused to let him pull away, taking her time to explore his mouth and suck his lips. She felt more daring with him. It was something she could never be with Matt.

Matt.

The unexpected thought crashed into her and her eyelids flew wide open. She stopped mid-kiss and jerked back, breaking the kiss. It took a moment for her to recover herself. He looked at her, his face a question mark.

“Too sudden?” He reached out and cupped the side of her face in his hand.

“No,” she replied quickly and reached out to touch his lips. “Not too quick.”

With his arm still around her, holding her close, he told her, “I’ve been wanting to do that for a long time.”

She gazed at him happily. They weren’t aware of the over-excited people surrounding them, or the almost deafening noise. They were still caught up in their own private cocoon.

Which was the state in which Heather found them. “Happy New Year,” she yelled, more than a little tipsy. Exuberance spilled out of her as she exaggeratedly observed their tight embrace. “Hell, honey. Way to go!”

Melissa hoped she wouldn’t have to babysit her all the way home. The way she felt right now, she didn’t want to move from Noah’s arms.

Finn had his arms around Heather’s shoulders, and another round of Happy New Year greetings was exchanged. This time, Noah and Melissa moved apart and stood side by side. But he slipped his hand easily around her waist, as if to tell the world she was his. It was a new sensation for her, to feel cared for and wanted by someone she wanted right back.

“Coming with us? To par-tay?” asked Heather, as Finn grappled with her, holding her tight with her back to his chest.

The idea didn’t appeal to Melissa, but looking at the state Heather was in, she knew she couldn’t let her go alone, Finn or no Finn. She caught Noah watching her. What did he want?

“Come along. It’ll be fun.” Heather waved her arms at Noah in a feeble attempt to catch his attention.

“Yeah, dude. You’re more than welcome to come with us,” Finn told him, and the two of them fooled around, not in any rush to move off.

“I have to go,” Melissa told him. “I have to make sure she gets home okay.”

Noah held her hand. “I know.”

“Come.”

“Do you want me to?”

“I want you to.”

“I want to, too.” He leaned in and kissed her again, and this time, her body tingled all over.

They walked to the party for what seemed like more than an hour. But despite the cold, the chill, the dark, the distance, Noah held her hand the entire time. When they got there, people were spilling out onto the street. The front door was wide open and inebriated people loitered everywhere, inside and outside. They followed Heather, Finn and the rest of the group into the house.

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