Page 22 of Annika's Aurora

“Please, Logan,I would really like to know what it’s like from someone I trust.”

Logan groaned inwardly. How could he argue against that? He drew in a deep breath and let it out slowly. “Fine,” he said before leaning toward her and placing a quick kiss on her lips.

“Not like that. I want a real kiss. I need to know.” He looked from her eyes to her lips and back to her eyes,unsure how to proceed. But it wasAnnikawho leaned toward him. She pressed her lips against his, her tongue darting out for a taste. He gasped at the sensation,and her tongue slipped inside. He met it with his own. Suddenly, hecouldn’tget enough of the taste of her. He pressed her to him and took control of the kiss. His tongue sliding into her mouth, exploring, tasting, devouring. He was on fire for her taste.

The sound of a door slamming broke them apart. They sat therefora moment,staring at each other, breathing heavily.Annikawas the first to move away. She grabbed her book and opened it,actingas if nothing had happened as Jamie entered the great room.Logan casually grabbed the throw pillow and placed it on his lap, hiding the bulge in his shorts.

“Shit,guys. Can’t you do anything more exciting than readinga book?Boring!” he teased,feigning a yawn.

“Hey, she’s the one reading. Not me.” Logan hopedto God Jamiehadn’tnoticed what they’d been doing just a few seconds ago.

“Yeah, whatever.I’mstarved.Let’sgo into town to eat.”

Annikaclosed her book and stood. “Good idea. Give me a minute to change.”

“What you have on is fine!” She rolled her eyes at him. “Women!” Jamie threw his hands up and walked into the kitchen in search of a pre-dinner snack.

Present Day

Annika lay with Logan in that same armchair enjoying the glow of the Christmas tree lights on a quiet afternoon as a little lake effect snow fell outside the windows. It was no wonder that memory had popped into her head. It was so similar to the present day. Just like then, Annika was sitting in the chair reading a book. And just like then, Logan had plopped down next to her. She even snuggled back against him just like she had fifteen years ago. And he was just as content to hold her as she read.

“You seem lost in thought,” Logan remarked. “Care to share?”

“I was remembering something from that summer here with you and Jamie.” She smiled as the memory struck her again.

“That kiss.”

She shifted to face him, just as she had then. “How did you know I was thinking about that?”

He grinned down at her. “I couldn’t help but notice the similarities. It’s one of my favorite memories,” he confessed, sliding a finger down her cheek and across her lips.

“Mine too. I’d never been kissed like that. It was … hot!”

“Yeah, it was. I’d never been kissed like that before either.”

“Seriously?” she squeaked.

“Seriously. That kiss was … intense.” Annika blushed, pleased that he’d enjoyed it just as much as she had.

“I thought for sure Jamie had seen us.”

“Yeah, me too. It was a little while before I could stand without revealing the hard-on I had. I definitely didn’t want Jamie to see that.”

Annika giggled. “No, I guess that wouldn’t have been good.”

“I noticed you ran away pretty quickly,” he teased.

Annika remembered why she had escaped to her room so fast, thankful for the excuse to change her clothes. “I had to. I had to escape before the tears fell. I didn’t want you to see me cry … again.”

“Fuck, Annika.” He hugged her tighter.

“So, yeah, I ran to my room. My feelings were overwhelming. I wanted you. And I really wanted more kisses like that one. I wanted you to stay. I wanted to have more time with you, to possibly explore where a kiss like that could take us. But I knew I couldn’t have any of that. And I didn’t want my tears to ruin what time we had left.” Annika remembered closing the door and leaning back against it, then sinking to the floor. She had placed her head on her knees and hugged them to her chest. Her anguish over her burgeoning feelings for Logan beyond her ability to cope. She was going to have to say goodbye to him. That kiss had been the most erotic thing to ever happen to her. She’d never been kissed before, and it had been marvelous. Heavenly. She hadn’t wanted it to end. But it had to. And if she were ever going to say goodbye to him and keep her sanity, she knew it could never happen again. So, she’d dried her tears, changed her clothes, and joined her boys for dinner. And never broached the subject of that kiss with Logan until this very moment, fifteen years later.

“I’m sorry Annika. If I could go back …”

She placed a finger to his lips to stop him. “I know.”

“For what it’s worth, I carried the memory of that kiss with me everywhere.” She smiled and kissed him as tears floated just at the surface. “No tears. These are happy memories.”

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