Page 42 of Beautiful Dreamer

“You don’t think so?”

Elizabeth picked up her empty glass from the table between theirtwo patio chairs and walked to Devyn, who handed over hers. “Nope. They suck atcornhole.”

Devyn chuckled at the unexpected comment, and so did Elizabeth.

It happened without warning. Devyn’s hands slid to her waist.Elizabeth still held the two glasses, one in either hand. Their mouths wereinches apart. She could see Devyn’s eyes from the soft trail of light thatemanated from inside the house. She could feel Devyn’s soft breath against herlips, and it made her ache. She wanted herself pressed up against Devyn. Shewanted to inhale Devyn’s sweet scent. She wanted to satisfy every desperateneed pulsing through her own body. She wanted. She wanted. Elizabeth knew whatwas coming, and the anticipation was almost too much. She closed her eyes justas Devyn’s lips met hers, accepting the kiss that was soft and slow, and then,because they couldn’t help themselves, not that at all. Yes. At last. Her armsmoved to rest on Devyn’s shoulders as she held tight to those empty glasses,which kept her hands from participating in a torturous, wonderful way. Insteadshe held them out in the air, lost in space, in some kind of swaying dance thatadded a nice bit of tension to the already melt-worthy kiss.

Devyn Winters had lips to die for.

Soft, warm, attentive, and smooth. Could lips be smooth? Theycould. She now knew that with certainty. Devyn took the lead and Elizabethfollowed. She asked for more. Her mouth slanted over Devyn’s, whose tonguetouched her lips lightly, teasing, answering Elizabeth’s request, beckoningElizabeth to part them for her. When she did, heat took over. With Devyn’stongue in her mouth, she went up on her tippy-toes to even out their heightdifference. Her heart did a somersault. Her body lit up. Her mind went placessexy and alluring.

As they kissed, Devyn’s thumbs moved in slow circles against herstomach, scratching at the fabric of her T-shirt. And then it was over. Sheblinked, as if waking from an unexpectedly wonderful dream.

“What happened?” she asked, feeling a small smile peeking. Thetingly feeling she’d had all over hadn’t left with the kiss. No, it stillhummed across her skin pleasantly.

Devyn brushed her thumb across Elizabeth’s lower lip ever sosoftly. “I think we just stole a moment, and I just learned you have the sexiestmouth imaginable.”

She closed one eye. “That’s definitely crossing the flirtingline.”

Devyn chuckled. “I can admit to that. Was totally worth it.”

Elizabeth nodded.

There were the crickets again, only now it seemed like they wereworking together in composition, to underscore this moment. A cricket chorus togo with the firefly light show and the fireworks-worthy kissing. Yes sir, thishad turned into quite the evening.

“I didn’t plan on kissing you tonight,” Devyn said, taking a stepback, giving them both a chance to regain their proverbial footing.

Elizabeth used this moment to set the glasses back down on thesmall table. “Why did you?”

Devyn sighed. “The struggle not to became too much. You were justtoo sexy tonight with your gorgeous hair, and cornhole grit, and the truck, andthen this.” She gestured to the quiet backyard. “I haven’t seen anything thispeaceful in a very long time.” She shrugged. “It felt like the right thing todo.”

“You smell really good,” Elizabeth said. The sentence fell fromher lips before she had time to think about it.

“Youtastereally good,” Devyn said, not missing a beat. Her eyes were dark, and Elizabethswallowed hard. Was she out of her depth here? The high school version ofherself would have thought so. Regardless, that sentence…did things to her. Sheshifted, acutely aware of the physical need, nearly uncomfortable now. Devynwas so beautiful, and sophisticated, and important. She had the capability tomake a person feel ten feet tall when her attention was cast their way.Elizabeth felt it now. It emboldened her.

“Let’s do this again.”

“Which thing?” Devyn asked, with a cheeky grin. The confidence wassexy and caused Elizabeth’s cheeks to heat. She hated how noticeably she alwaysseemed to blush, but pressed forward, harnessing the conviction.

“Let’s go out.”

“You mean,outout?” Devyn said, with a sparkle in her eyes. “You’re going to have to be morespecific. Or you could come over here and show me.”

Elizabeth steadied herself at the idea of doing just that. Racyimages of that possible moment flipped through her brain like the pages of asaucy novel. Where her hands would go, where her tongue would, what kinds ofthings she’d press against first. She bit the inside of her lip. No. Too soon.She had to slow her roll.

“Yes,outout.” She bypassed the other offer because further physical interaction wouldmake her body even more uncomfortable than it already was. That was, unless shewas willing to go to bed with Devyn right then and there. But that wasn’t herstyle. Damn it. Why wasn’t it? What she wouldn’t give to be an unrestrainedharlot in this moment.

“When?” Devyn asked.

“What about Wednesday?” Four days. Four very long days. That wouldgive her some time to cool off, get her wits about her before they saw eachother one-on-one again. She’d be refreshed and breezy. She could laugh casuallyand appear charming and in control.

“I can wait until Wednesday.” Devyn picked up the glasses andheaded inside. Through the window Elizabeth watched as she carefully rinsedeach one. Eventhatvisual affected her. What the hell was happening? She’d found Devyn attractivebefore, beautiful for days, but it was as if that kiss had unleashed apowerful, new level to her perspective.

She joined Devyn inside and watched as she gathered her bag. “Iwould have done the dishes, but that’s kind of you.”

“Well, that wouldn’t have been fair. You made the milkshakes.” Sheslid her expensive-looking black bag onto her shoulder. Elizabeth could neverpull off a bag like that. Maybe if they made a purple, softer version.Something floral, perhaps.

“You’re leaving?” she asked.

---