Page 96 of Never the Bride
In the end, they’ll just leave.
But that’s when I hear his voice—loud but muffled, like it’s coming from behind his closed bedroom door across the hall.
“I’m disappointed I didn’t kiss you too.”
My entire body locks up as my breath catches.
Did he just?—?
My heart pounds so hard it drowns out everything else. I press my ear to the door, afraid I dreamed it. The silence stretches, suffocating, and I almost convince myself I’ve gone crazy. But the words echo inside me, clear as day.
I’m disappointed I didn’t kiss you too.
Without thinking, my hand clutches the knob, twists the handle, and slowly, I creak open the door. It only takes a half-second before his door swings open too.
His eyes burn into mine, dark and intent. My pulse skitters as the silence between us stretches until it feels like the whole house is holding its breath, waiting.
Then he moves.
Two long strides and he’s in front of me, pulling me to him like an oil rig worker coming home after a two-month stint away from his lady. I gasp, clutching at his shoulders as his mouth is on mine, hungry and full of fire. His lips are warm, firm, insistent, moving against mine like he’s been holding this back for too long.
He tilts his head, deepening the kiss as his hand slides up my spine, cradling the back of my neck. The other grips my waist, pulling me closer until every inch of me is pressed against him. I feel the heat of him, the strength, the steady pounding of his heart that matches my own.
Sure, I’ve kissed before, but never like this. Never like itmattered.Never like someone was pouring every unspoken thought, every withheld touch, every bit of want into the space where our mouths meet. It’s everything I didn’t know I was starving for.
It’s all passion until Harvey jumps on us, pushing our bodies back. I didn’t even know the dog was watching us kiss. Hess slows everything, the press of his lips gentler now. He pulls back just enough to let me breathe, though his forehead rests against mine for a long, suspended beat.
“Harvey, get down.” He pushes the dog away then takes my hand, steady and sure, and lifts it to his mouth. His lips brush the tops of my knuckles with a tenderness that nearly undoes me more than the kiss itself.
“Goodnight again,” he murmurs, voice husky, eyes lingering on mine for one more stolen second.
And then he steps back into his room, waiting for Harvey to follow before shutting the door.
I’m left stunned and breathless in the hallway. I think I just saw through time and space. That was the best kiss I’ve ever had. Maybe the best among all kisses ever kissed.
And now I’m left wondering, how can I make sure this is my future?
Hess
I wake up Sunday morning,grinning. Actually grinning. Like an idiot.
The first thing I think about is Camila. The way her lips felt under mine, soft and urgent. The little gasp she made when I pulled her closer. How nice it felt to finally hold her in my arms. That kiss was a long time coming, and it delivered in a big way. But the best part: she kissed me back like she meant it. And now my mind is reeling.
How can I convince this incredible woman that there could be a future between us? It feels impossible, but I’m up for the challenge. In fact, I like a good challenge.
I whistle while I make coffee.
Whistle.
I can’t remember the last time I did that.
By the time Camila comes out of her room, hair a little messy, pajama shirt slipping off one shoulder, I’ve already poured hercoffee the way she likes it. I slide the mug across the kitchen island toward her. “Good morning.”
Her eyes narrow playfully as the corners of her mouth twitch. “You’re in a good mood.”
“Am I?” I lean back against the counter, sipping my coffee innocently. “I can’t imagine why.”
Her lips pull into a smile, just for a beat, before she covers it with a sip. “So…” she says as she swallows. “About last night. We probably shouldn’t do that again if we want to keep things uncomplicated.”
