Page 21 of The Grinch who Loved Me
“Why? What’s wrong?”
He gestured to her car, “This is broken. The hose is leaking and needs to be replaced completely. But I don’t have the parts and I don’t think they will be here for a while.”
Her face fell, and she blinked hard and then looked up at him, “What am I going to do?”
He shrugged helplessly, “I will try to have them put a rush on the parts, but I don’t think it will help.”
Aria nodded, “Okay. Well, um. Thank you.”
He walked over to her and wiped his hands on a cloth hanging off his pants.
“We can do this. I will help you in any way I can.”
She shook her head, “I don’t want to put you out. I already have by simply coming here. You said how much you dislike being around people. And I don’t want to make you uncomfortable in any way.”
His heart twinged at how sweet she was. He very slowly raised his hand and cupped her face, running his thumb gently over her cheek.
“You won’t put me out. I don’t get busy this time of year. And I can do work when I want. It’s the beauty of owning my own shop. It will be okay. I swear it.”
She searched his face and then slowly nodded, and he felt his lips curve into a smile.
Her eyes were drawn there and then she looked back up into his eyes.
He could take it no longer and leaned forward, using his hand on her cheek to move her forward.
He had no idea what he was doing, and was going on instinct alone, but as soon as his lips touched hers in a soft kiss, he wanted more.
He kissed her softly again and again and then pulled back, shocked at himself that he had done that.
Her lips had called out to him from the beginning though and he seemed to be helpless to not accept their call.
She blinked and then her face went pink once more and he smiled.
“Why did you do that?” She asked quietly and Ryland looked down at her lips, and then back into her hazel eyes.
“I don’t know. I just had to kiss you.”
She bit her lower lip slightly and he held back a groan, “Out of pity? Because of my car?”
He shook his head, “I wouldn’t do that. You aren’t pitiful Aria. You are beautiful.”
Her eyes widened and then they dropped again, “I am?”
He ran his thumb over her cheek again and her eyes met his, “You are the most beautiful woman I have ever seen.”
Aria smiled slowly, “Thank you.”
He leaned in and kissed her again, unknowing of where the bold man came from.
She brought it out of him. Only her.
Her lips pressed against his softly and Ryland wanted to groan at the small press.
Then he pulled back and she smiled, “That was my first kiss.”
Ryland’s eyebrows lifted, “It was mine too.”
Her eyes widened and then she dropped her eyes to his lips and he felt them twitch again.
