Page 56 of Merritt and Her Childhood Crush
“Do you?”
I laugh. “No. I can’t stop my brain from spiraling into worry.”
“Worry about what?”
“Everything?” I say with a shrug. “What does this mean? What happens next? Will there be a second date? A third?”
“So you decided this is a first date?” he says, a smile playing on his lips. “A more-than-friends date?”
Yes. Absolutely yes.I nod. “Yeah. I did.”
He studies me, one hand running across his beard. “Good. That’s what I want too. But we have to do something about all this overthinking.”
“I’m open to ideas if you have one,” I say, half-joking.
He tilts his head and waits for a minute like he often does before speaking. “I do, actually, but it’s a risky one.”
“I don’t mind risky.”
This earns me a small smile. “It might sound a little out there,” he cautions. “I’m not sure if—”
“Hunter. My heart is racing. The backs of my knees are sweating. I can hardly breathe. Yes to the idea. Just … yes.”
His brows pop up. “Are you sure? You don’t know what the idea is.”
“I trust you.”
The words settle over him or maybe settle into him slowly, resulting in a wide smile. One I haven’t seen in years.
I wave my hands over my hot cheeks. “Please. Whatever your idea is, just—”
Hunter steps forward, cups my face in his hands, and kisses me.
It is the very last thing I would have ever expected from Hunter. Yet my body reacts as though it has been waiting years for exactly this moment.Finally.I melt into him, grateful when his hands move from my face to my back, pulling me closer, holding me up as my legs tremble.
Hunter may have been my very first kiss, but I still remember everything about that moment. And though this kiss holds something familiar—his scent, his hands, justhim—it’s completely NOT the same kind of kiss.
No hesitation.
No awkwardness or questioning.
No giggling and trying to find the right angle.
Hunterownsmy mouth. But only in the sense that he’s taken the control I’ve willingly given. Nothing feels forced or coercive. He’s playful and yet sensual. I want to laugh. I want to slide my hands under his shirt and lay my palms flat over his heart.
Check, please!
As though sensing the way I’m ramping up, Hunter slows down. He presses a few more quick kisses to my lips as he slowly releases me and steps back.
I am wobbling. Totally a good thing I didn’t wear heels. My breath comes in shallow pants, and I feel like I need to make a run for the ocean and hurl myself in to cool off.
“What wasthat?” I demand, practically gasping for air.
“My risky idea.” He looks suddenly unsure, the smile sliding right off his face. “I’m sorry. I thought—”
“Don’t be sorry. I just … need a minute. But also—you thought that wouldcalm me down?”
There is no chance of calm. Zero chill. I amwrecked.
