“Bex?” I barely manage to get her name out before she surprises me, taking my face in her hands, her touch gentle but firm.
“Shh,” she murmurs, her breath warm against my lips. “You talk too much.”
And then, her lips slant across mine, and she kisses me.
It’s soft at first, just the lightest brush of her lips against mine, as if she’s testing the waters. But then she leans in, and suddenly, it’s not so gentle anymore. There’s a sweetness in the way she kisses me, like she’s savoring the moment, but there’s also a hunger, a need that I didn’t realize was burning in her. It’s like she’s been holding back for too long, and now she’s done waiting.
My hands move to her waist, pulling her closer, but she’s already ahead of me, pressing her body against mine as she deepens the kiss. There’s something playful in the way she nips at my bottom lip, like she’s teasing me, daring me to keep up with her. I’m more than willing to take that challenge.
Her fingers slide into my hair, and I feel a shiver run down my spine when she tugs just slightly. It’s not rough, but it’s enough to make my pulse race. She tilts her head, changing the angle, and suddenly the world narrows down to just this—just her. The kiss is everything at once: sweet and tender, hot and urgent, like she’s pouring all her emotions into it, and I’m more than happy to catch every single one.
When she finally pulls back, I’m left breathless, staring at her like she’s just knocked the wind out of me—which, in a way, she has. Her lips are slightly swollen, her cheeks flushed, and she’s looking up at me with this mix of affection and mischief that has my heart doing somersaults.
“Wow,” I manage to say, still trying to catch my breath.
She grins, that playful spark in her eyes. “I’ve been wanting to do that for a while.”
“Yeah?” I can’t help the grin that spreads across my face. “Can’t say I’m complaining.”
“Good,” she says, leaning in to peck me on the lips one more time, this one softer but no less impactful. “Because I’m not done yet.”
And just like that, she pulls me back in and I’m lost all over again, wondering how I ever got so damn lucky.
Her lips find mine again, and this time, I’m ready. I pull her closer, deepening the kiss as my heart hammers in my chest. There’s nothing else in the world right now, just the two of us. I’m completely caught up in the feel of her, the way she fits against me like she was meant to be there all along.
But then, just as I’m getting lost in the moment, Bex suddenly pulls back, her breath coming in short, soft bursts. I blink, dazed and definitely not ready for this to be over.
She looks up at me, her eyes sparkling with a mischievous glint. “You know,” she says, her voice teasing as she brushes a thumb over my cheek, “I usually get dinner first before the kissing happens.”
I stare at her, momentarily thrown off by the unexpected joke. But then, I can’t help it—a laugh bursts out of me, loud and genuine. “Is that so?” I manage to say between chuckles, still trying to process how she just flipped the script on me.
Bex grins, clearly pleased with herself. “Yep. But, I suppose I can make an exception this time.” She winks, stepping back slightly, though she doesn’t let go of my hand. “Though, now that I think about it, you do owe me a meal.”
“Oh, I do, huh?” I’m still grinning like an idiot, my heart lighter than it’s been in a long time.
“Absolutely,” she replies, playfully poking me in the chest. “A girl’s gotta eat, you know.”
“Well, I can’t have you starving, can I?” I say, pulling her back into my arms, unable to resist. “But just for the record, I’m pretty sure that kiss counts as the appetizer.”
Her laughter rings out, and I swear it’s the best sound I’ve ever heard. “Bold move, Austin,” she says, giving me that look—a mix of affection and amusement. “But let’s see if you can back up that confidence.”
“Challenge accepted,” I say, unable to keep the smile off my face. “But just so you know, dessert’s on the house.”
She raises an eyebrow, her lips quirking up at the corners. “Dessert, huh? You really are full of surprises.”
“You have no idea,” I murmur, leaning in for one more quick, soft kiss that leaves us both smiling like fools. “But first things first—”
Bex’s eyebrows pop expectantly, but before I can say anything more, an alarm goes off in my pocket. Groaning, I reach in and pull out my cell phone. I’d set this reminder earlier so I wouldn’t lose track of time.
I show it to Bex with a sheepish grin. “Sorry, but I’ve got something I need to go do.”
She tilts her head, curiosity lighting up her eyes. “I thought you were a recluse?”
“So it’s a bad thing that I have somewhere to go?”
She crosses her arms, teasing me with a smirk. “For someone who claims to only hang out at his house and maybe run an errand or two during the week, you sure do seem to disappear a lot. What secret life are you living?”
“Well, now you’re just being nosy,” I say with a wink.
