Page 73 of Valentine Nook
The rain has left a chill in the air, but after the warmth of the last few weeks, it’s a welcome change. The scent of the wet ground settles around us.
There’s something else too.
Expectation. Anticipation. The buzz of electricity.
We’re walking so close to one another I can feel the heat coming off her body. It’s followed by the slip of her soft hand in mine, and I glance down to find her smiling at me.
It’s so small yet monumental at the same time, and the surge of happiness is almost overwhelming. I want it to last forever.
We pass the fountain, and out of habit, I stick my free hand into my pocket. My fingers brush against the cool edges of a coin, which makes a soft plop as I toss it.
Holiday’s gaze follows the movement, and she turns to me. “What did you wish for?”
I don’t tell her. I just stop us walking. My hand’s still curled around hers, and I lift it, placing it on my chest. I want her to feel my heart thudding as clearly as I can.
Her soft mouth parts, her tongue darts out, and she slowly wets her bottom lip.
I step farther into her space.
I don’t ask permission because I don’t need to. Her eyes, expressive to a fault, give everything away. She wants this as much as I do.
I think about how fucking beautiful she looked through the spray of the waterfall the first time I met her. I think about the day she was talking to Thunder and the kiss she pressed on his nose and I wondered what it would feel like if that were me.
And when it finally happens, and her tongue slips alongside mine with a soft moan, I realize that I must have been doing it wrong my entire life.
Thisis how kissing should feel.
CHAPTER 14
Holiday
Lando kissed me.
Kissedmegood.
So good I’m wondering how I’m waking up alone.
Twelve hours later and my knees are still weak.
I’ll be amazed if I can stand, and I know without looking, there’s still a smile on my face. It’s been there since he walked me to my front door and kissed me goodnight.
If it’s possible, that kiss was even better than the first. Soft yet firm. Totally delicious. Big, strong hands cupped my cheeks, the calluses on them scratching my skin.
I could relive it all day.
I stretch out of my sleep with a longmmm.
I’ve woken up far earlier than usual. It’s not the crack of dawn, but it’s close. Early enough to hear the rooster crowing from the other side of the fields.
The city might have sirens, but the countryside could easily compete for noise levels with its loud farmyard animals, clip-clopping horses, and tractors.
And that’s not counting the church bells going off rightnow. Whoever thought nine o’clock on a Friday morning was a good time for bell-ringing practice needs to get laid.
I never thought church bells would be louder than a rock concert, but man, do they give it a go.
Throwing back the covers, I pad into the bathroom and stare myself down.
I stare until I see things I haven’t seen in a very long time.
