Page 90 of Bravo

I’m not entirely sure how she’s going to take it, but I’m desperate to hold her, so I push off the tailgate and hold out my hand. “Want to dance?”

“Dance? There’s no music.”

“I can fix that.” Reaching into my pocket, I withdraw my cell phone and hit shuffle on my worship playlist. Then, after setting it on my tailgate, I hold out my hand again. “How’s that?”

She answers by shoving the blanket from her shoulders and taking my hand. I pull her into my arms, and she snakes one hand over my neck while I place one on her waist. The music is steady, and I move slowly, carefully pulling her in closer.

Kennedy leans in and rests her head against my chest.

And in this moment, all is right in my world.

There is no danger looming overhead. No mysteries.

Just Kennedy and me.

“I haven’t danced in years,” she says. “Not since the prom our church put on for the homeschooled high schoolers.”

“It’s been a while for me, too,” I admit.

“This is nice.”

“I couldn’t agree more.”

We keep moving slowly, and I lose myself in the feel of her pressed against my chest. This beautiful woman who’s suffered more than her fair share of trauma but still manages to keep her head up.

What strength one must have to do that. To face down the darkness and refuse to bow to it.

The music shifts from one song to another, and Kennedy pulls back to look up into my eyes. “Thank you for tonight, Bradyn. I can’t tell you how much it means to me.”

Because I can’t help myself, I raise the hand that was on her waist and brush some hair out of her face. My gaze drops to lips I’ve wanted to taste from the moment I first ran into her on the street. And even though I have no idea what the future holds for us, I lower my head and capture them with mine.

The world tilts, pieces fitting together like they were made for each other. Likewewere made for each other. Desire hums through my veins, and I lose more of myself to her in this moment.

“I’ve wanted to do that since we first met.” My voice is breathless as I speak, my mind already on kissing her again.

“I’ve wanted it too,” she replies. “I’ve wondered what it would feel like since we bumped into each other. Even though I also knew it was a mistake since I had no idea how long I was staying.” Reaching up, she touches my lips with her gentle fingertips.

“Life is uncertain,” I tell her. “But does that mean we shouldn’t live?”

“No,” she replies. “It doesn’t.” Kennedy pulls me back down, and I capture her lips again. She opens beneath me, and I lose myself in the kiss, burying my hand in her thick hair.

She grips my shoulders, pulling me in and stretching up on her tiptoes to get closer.

I’m surrounded by Kennedy Smith.

Utterly and completely captivated.

And I never want to let go.

Even if it kills me.

CHAPTER 31

KENNEDY

My mind is still on that kiss.

I was up nearly all night, staring at the ceiling, grinning like an idiot because all I could focus on was the way his lips felt on mine. I’ve been kissed before, once upon a time, but it never felt like that.

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