Page 70 of Fall With Me
I shiver from his warm breath tickling my lips. Letting him know I am fully committed to his plan, I wrap an arm around his neck and tug him until his body is flush with mine. Our mouths come together in a crush.
Dawson, as promised, wastes no time being sweet or playful. His lips take mine in hungrily, like this will be our last kiss rather than being our first. Lava flows from my heart throughout every vein, heating me from the inside out.
Dawson’s mouth opens to mine. He tastes like mint and though I had my own after dinner, getting a second hint from Dawson makes my toes curl. It takes everything in me to remember we’re in a parking lot outside of a restaurant, and I shouldn’t climb him like a tree. But the desperation to be closer—though we can’t be physically closer than we already are—overwhelms me.
This man is a pumpkin latte on a cool fall day. Apple cider donuts at a festival. Candy on Halloween night. He’s sweet, warm, andgood.
Taking control of the kiss, I bring my other arm around his neck, pressing my lips firmly against his. Our mouths tug and nip, push and pull.
Staying single was the only way I knew how to protect myself and other people, but what a disappointment my life would be if I continued living that way. I’d be missing out on kisses like this.
And I don’t want to live in a world where I can’t kiss Dawson.
Where I can’t show him through my actions all I’m feeling and thinking when it comes to him and the connection we share.
Dawson’s hand moves from the car to the side of my neck. Can he feel my pulse pounding under his palm? His thumb traces my jawline. A fresh wave of lava cascades throughout my body.
Breaking away from Dawson’s marvelous lips, I take my time exploring the warm skin on his neck, letting my mouth leave a trail from under his chin, up to his ear, and down to the indent of his clavicle.
I feel his Adam’s apple move under my lips as he swallows hard. Suddenly, he’s pushing away from me and I pitch forward slightly, suffering whiplash from the sudden distance between us.
“Dawson?” My eyes focus on him a few feet away. Why did he stop?
My heart thrashes against my ribs. Partly because of the kiss, partly because of his reaction. Our kiss was absolutely amazing. At least for me. Does Dawson think differently?
He’s taking deep breaths and muttering.
I take a step toward him, but he holds his hand out, palm facing me. “I need a minute.”
“Did I do something wrong?” Hot shame turns my dinner over in my stomach. Has it really been so long since I’ve kissed someone that he’s doing his best not to puke because I suck at it? Pulling the car door handle to see if the Subaru is unlocked, my hand meets resistance.
I’m stuck with a man who doesn’t want me.
Way to ruin my first date with the man I’m falling hard for.
Chapter 33
Dawson
I almost took things too far. It’s been ages since Willow and I last kissed, but when we did, there were no boundaries. No stopping point until after we were intimate. If I hadn’t pushed myself away from Chloe, my hand would be up her shirt, which, one, is way inappropriate in a public setting, and two, is not what any respectable man would do on a first date.
When Liar-Pants-Chloe grossly overestimated how much kissing I needed to do in order to beat Finn, the only thing running through my head wasgladly. As much as I was looking forward to going to our next activity of the evening, I’d have skipped it to head back to my place for the chance to kiss Chloe as thoroughly as I’d like, earning me way more than a thousand points. But I hadn’t anticipated the physical desire taking over rational thinking.
I’m not some hormone-driven male incapable of controlling myself. But my well of physical affection toward a woman dried up long ago, and I didn’t realize how desperateI was to refill it until Chloe found the weak spot on my neck. The one that starts my engine more than any other.
Focusing on my breathing, I exhale the desire I can’t act on and inhale the cool night air, calming my stimulated body. When I feel in control, I turn to face Chloe, who is staring at the ground, her arms curled around herself as if she’s in need of protection from me.
“I’m sorry. That was me, not you.”
She nods, but refuses to meet my gaze.
My gut clenches. I don’t want her to think I stopped because of her. My fingers itch to touch her. To take her chin between my thumb and index finger and raise it to look at me, but I’m not quite ready. My desire is down to a simmer from a boil, but it won’t take much to jack it right back up.
“Chloe,” I say again, part desperate, part pleading, part apologetic. Finally, she looks up at me. “Your kiss set me on fire. I had to cool things off.”
The flash of hurt in her eyes says she doesn’t believe me. As embarrassing as this is, I have to explain what’s happening. I can’t stand to lose her over this. “It’s been a while since I’ve kissed anyone. My body reacted like a match tossed on gasoline-soaked wood. If I didn’t step away, I’m afraid I would have taken things too far. You deserve to be treated better. Your kiss was amazing and I didn’t realize I’d have such a strong reaction to you.” I groan, scrubbing my hands through my hair. “Jeez, I sound like a frisky teen. I’m sorry, Chloe. Next time, I promise I’ll be more in control and we’ll slow things down. Okay?”
She bites her bottom lip, which isnothelping how desirable she is. “You swear on Finn’s life it’s not because of anything else?”
