Page 85 of Up All Night

“I love this city,” she said. “I’ve lived in a lot of different places, but this one is my favorite. I know it’s busy and expensive and sometimes doesn’t smell very nice, but I love living here.”

I loved it too, but I’d lived around here my whole life. I didn’t know any different. Seeing her love of the city through her eyes was something I could get used to. Really, her love for life was inspiring, and I wanted more of it.

“I’ve lived here my entire life, and we did things today that I’ve never done before. Sometimes I forget how fun this city can be. Thank you.”

She turned to face me, resting her elbow on the railing. “So you’re saying you’ve had a good day?” Even in the dark with only the lights from the pier casting their glow on us, I could see the smug smile on her face.

I turned to look at her as well, exaggerating my eye roll. “Yes.”

“Better than your planned day?” she pushed.

I tilted my head from side to side, pretending to be thinking about it. “The verdict is still out.”

“And why is that?” she asked, amusement clear on her face.

“The day isn’t over yet.” My hand reached out on its own, tucking some of her hair behind her ear. I let my hand graze her jaw as I pulled it back, enjoying the feel of her soft skin on my fingertips.

“There is one thing I’ve been wanting to do all day,” she said, her voice just above a whisper, her gaze dipping down to my mouth. “But since I’ve been thinking about it, I thought it might not count as unplanned.”

I took a step closer, our bodies almost touching. I gently pushed her hair behind her shoulders, her collarbones now on display, the ones I’d been daydreaming about kissing. “I’ve been wanting to do something all day, too, but I never planned on doing it.”

In my mind I knew the pier was loud around us, but the noise had all but faded. All I could see, all I could feel, all I could concentrate on was Halle.

“So it still counts as unplanned?” Her voice sounded breathless, like she wanted this kiss as much as I did as she closed the last inch between us, our bodies now flush.

“Definitely.”

I dropped my mouth to hers, and what I had thought would be a slow and tentative kiss turned out to be the complete opposite. Our mouths were hungry, wanting more of what we’d been craving for way too long. We bypassed hesitant first kisses and sped right to reckless and confident.

I pulled her body closer, feeling her soft curves against me. I let out a low moan at finally having her in my arms, at finally having our lips moving together in a hypnotic rhythm.

I wasn’t proud to admit that I’d kissed a lot of women, despite only having had two girlfriends, but never had I experienced something like this. Kissing Halle was a full body experience, every one of my nerve endings was on high alert, wanting more.

Her hands traveled up my chest and around my neck, pulling me down so we were somehow even closer.

A part of my brain knew I was hardcore making out in a very public area, but another part of my brain was euphoric at how amazing it felt to kiss Halle.

My hands continued a path from her low back up to her hair to feel the silky threads on my fingers, then back down to her waist.

The longer we kissed, the more I wanted. I’d had a brief thought before kissing her that maybe if we kissed, the need that chipped away at my self-control would lessen. But I had been totally and completely wrong. Kissing her was more addictive than I’d known was possible.

Forcing myself to pull away, I broke the kiss but kept her in my arms. I needed to stop or I might take things too far. I wasn’t in control, and I didn’t want to do anything that would mess up things between me and Halle.

But I guess I should have thought about that before I kissed her. Kissing Halle had already complicated things, but making sure she was okay was a strong enough emotion to get me thinking somewhat clearly.

“You win.” My voice came out low and gravely.

Her eyes were beautifully dazed. “What?”

“Your day was better than mine,” I explained.

Her lips turned up into a smirk. “I know,” she said, her voice soft.

And then I kissed her again because I wanted to, and I couldn’t resist anymore, not that I was trying. My self-control had officially flown out the window.

This time I took it slow, cupping her face in my hands and exploring her mouth. She leaned into me, melting more with each kiss and swirl of our tongues. I let my hands slide down her neck and shoulders to finally rest around her waist. I wanted to stay here kissing her until the sun began to rise, but I needed to at least attempt to be a gentleman.

I slowly brought our kiss to an end, already missing the feel of her lips moving with mine.

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