Page 33 of Keep My Heart
‘Then why would you want to end it?’
‘I just thought you might want to, since you—’
His lips go to mine, taking my breath away and making my heart slam against my chest. I wasn’t prepared for this—the kiss, or how amazing it’d be. His lips are soft and warm and he’s giving me these slow, gentle kisses that are working me up in the most unexpected and wonderful way. I’m used to hard, fast kisses and Chris’ tongue being shoved in my mouth. I’ve never been kissed like this. I had no idea what I was missing out on until now.
Nick’s arm goes around my waist, pulling me closer. My lips part and he takes the kiss deeper, but not in a forced or rushed way. His pace is slow, his movements deliberate, like he knows exactly what to do to turn a woman on. Where did he learn this? In college? He didn’t have a girlfriend in high school. He went out with some girls, but only a few times.
As his tongue moves over mine, I feel like my legs are about to give out. God, he’s good at this. Who knew? I never would’ve guessed he was such a good kisser.
Before I’m ready for it to end, he pulls away. ‘What do you think now? You think I’m in a hurry to take you home?’
I smile. ‘I’m thinking no.’
Nick backs away, letting me in the car, then shuts the door and goes around to the other side.
We don’t talk on the short drive back to the brewery. I’m tooshocked to speak, still not believing how great that kiss was and how it made me feel. As for Nick, I’m not sure what’s keeping him quiet. Is he feeling the same way I did about that kiss? He had to have felt something. That wasn’t just any kiss.
Why did he do it? Why did he kiss me if we’re just friends? Was he was just playing along with the fake date thing, preparing me for when a guy kisses me at the end of the night? I don’t think I’m ready for that, at least not with someone else. But with Nick? I’m more than ready. I wish he’d do it again.
Chapter 8
Lyndsay
When we get to the brewery, Nick unlocks the door and we go inside. The lights are off except for the ones behind the bar, giving the place a dimly lit, almost romantic feel.
‘Can I get you something to drink?’ Nick asks.
‘Maybe just some water. I’ve had enough drinks for tonight.’
He goes behind the bar to a cooler and takes out two bottles of water. He walks back to me and hands me the water.
‘Let’s sit over here.’ He goes to a table, then nods toward the hall that leads to the stairs. ‘I’ll be able to see if Sawyer comes downstairs. I doubt he will, but you never know.’
‘Why do you care?’ I ask, sitting down.
‘I don’t want him interrupting us.’ He opens his bottle of water and takes a sip.
What does he think Sawyer might interrupt? Is Nick planning to kiss me again? I wish that would happen, but I don’t think it will. That kiss he gave me earlier was the kind that could lead to something more, something that would make us cross the friendline, which isn’t a good idea. It’d make me want to date him for real, and I can’t. We live on separate coasts.
‘So tell me about LA,’ Nick says, leaning back in his chair. ‘How do you like it?’
‘It’s okay. I like the weather.’
‘You think you’ll stay there?’
‘I don’t know. The past few months I’ve been so focused on getting through the divorce that I never really considered what I’d do when it’s finally over.’
‘How are you feeling? Now that it’s over.’
That’s another thing I always loved about Nick. He’d always ask how I’m doing and seemed to actually care. I didn’t always open up to him, thinking he didn’t want to hear about whatever teenage drama I was going through, but in the few times I did tell him, he actually listened. Aside from Diane, Nick is the only person in my life that’s ever made me feel heard. My parents never did. They’re good people and I love them, but I never felt like they listened to me. They chose to hear what they wanted instead of what I actually said.
‘Be honest,’ Nick says. ‘I don’t want some bullshit story about how you’re doing great and just happy to get rid of him. Or about how it’s been over for years and the divorce was just a formality.’
‘Have you been listening to my conversations?’ I joke, but I’m serious. What he just said is what I’ve been telling people when they ask how I’m doing.
‘I’ve heard that shit from my clients. I don’t do a lot of divorces, but I’ve done a few, and when I ask them how they’re doing, those are the responses I get.’
‘Maybe they’re telling the truth.’
