Page 75 of One Last Time
I park out front and lean my head back. What the hell is wrong with me? It’s only been a few hours since I’ve seen her. However, the only thing I’ve been able to think about is what happened betweenus.
Last night was . . .unexpected.
When I went there, my intentions were honest. I didn’t think we’d have a sexfest for almost twenty-four hours. Beyond that, I didn’t think I’d be this consumed by her. Instead of scratching an itch, it made itworse.
I have no idea how she feels now that she’s had time to think. I pray to God I didn’t fuck up to the point that she hates me. Then I remember we still haven’t exchanged phonenumbers.
Grabbing a piece of paper, I write my number down and then head to the porch. I figure I’ll stick it in the mailbox and hope she’ll seeit.
When I lift the lid, a light in the living room flicks on and the curtain moves across thewindow.
Now I’m a fucking stalker that’s going to be arrested. My publicist will lovethat.
The door opens, and Kristin comes into view, holding an umbrella cocked as if it were a baseball bat. “Noah? What are you doinghere?”
Reclaiming my balls.“I forgot to give you something, so I was dropping itoff.”
“It’s almost one in the morning,” she says, stepping out onto theporch.
It’s dark out, but I can still see how beautiful she is. Her dark brown hair is pulled up, she isn’t wearing any makeup, and there is the cutest pair of glasses perched on her nose, making her sexier thanever.
“I wanted to seeyou.”
Kristin looks away, but I catch her smile. “I couldn’t sleep,” she explains. “I wanted to talk, but it waslate. . .”
“And you don’t have my number,” I tackon.
“That,too.”
I step toward her, not able to keep my distance. My hand touches her cheek. “I’m here now. What’s on yourmind?”
Her tiny hand wraps around mine, and she moves to the steps. We both sit at the edge, and she rests her head on my shoulder. I try to wrap my mind around what’s happening betweenus.
“You.Us.”
“We’re both thinking the same things,” I reassureher.
“Yeah?”
I laugh. “Yeah, sweetheart. This wasn’t exactly my plan when I came to Tampa. I thought I’d hang out with my friend, and then I metyou.”
Kristin squeezes my hand a little. “I feel as though it’s all a dream. That I’m going to go to sleep, and none of this will have beenreal.”
“Look at me.” My voice is low and firm. “It is allreal.”
“You’re the first thing in a long time that feelsright.”
She humbles me. She brings me to my fucking knees with that statement. I don’t deserve Kristin. I don’t deserve a second chance, but I damn sure want thisone.
“Then we figure it outtogether.”
Kristin lays her head back down and sighs. “What does all of thismean?”
“What do you want it tomean?”
I need her to tell me first because I’m afraid I’ll scare her off. There’s no way to describe how intensely I feel about her, and even if there were, I don’t think she’s ready to hearit.
I’m an overthinker by nature. I like plans and for those plans to stay on track. It’s how I’ve done well in my life. A task is presented and I tackle it head-on.
