Page 65 of Until Next Time
“I have wanted to be in this very moment with you for years. I’ve imagined it in so many different ways, and I will be completely honest and tell you that I’m scared shitless. I’m scared I’m going to fuck this up. And I also want you to know that I’m really sorry for how long it took me to get here, to this place, with us.” His eyes are so beautiful, and they’re locked on mine. I’ve never been able to look into them this way, to really look, to count the gold flecks in them, to be so intimately close to these eyes. It feels surreal. It feels like a dream. It feels like I suddenly have permission to do everything I’ve always imagined doing with him. The flirty touching, the looking,the middle seat.
I have so much I want to say in response to his vulnerability, but this moment doesn’t need words, so I do something I’ve dreamt of doing for as long as I can remember.
I bring my hand to the side of his face, and rub my thumb in gentle strokes across his cheek and I feel him press into my palm ever so slightly. The warmth of his skin sends a fluttering feeling through my core. I move my fingers into his hair and pull him closer. Our foreheads are touching, and without hesitation, I bring my lips to his, it’s tender, like we’re trying to savor every detail, like we’ve been waiting years for this, and then my lips part for him, and it turns desperate. I feel his breathing go ragged, his hands sliding into my hair, we’re a tangle of fingers in hair, and our tongues are in perfect rhythm as I part for him, and then him for me. I let out a whimper, and he pulls back slightly, his eyes look dark and he gives me a smile from the corner of his mouth.
He lifts my chin up softly towards him as he brings his lips back to mine, softly this time, “that noise you just made—sexiest thing I’ve ever heard.”
I lean in for another kiss, the world around me has disappeared. His hands find their way to my waist, and my core is throbbing. I’ve never felt this sensation, and I want more. Ineedmore. We’ve unlocked years of tension, of need, of desire and this kiss is unraveling all of it.
I kiss him harder, and my hand lands on his thigh, and I let it wander and I know he’s hungry for it too. He groans, and pulls back.
“We’ve gotta slow down a little bit or else this is going to get embarrassing for me real quick.” He retreats a little, running his hand through his hair and scratching the back of his neck. His cheeks are red, and it’s warmed up in here in more ways than one.
I lick my lips and smile at him.
“Want to go eat food?” I ask.
He pushes a strand of hair behind my ear and then runs his thumb along my lower lip.
“Birdie Banks, you’re something else.” He smiles at me for a beat then grabs his key from the ignition and opens his door and jumps out. I follow him out his side of the truck and we head towards the diner.
Dawsen takes my hand in his, looking down at me, he smiles and brings our joined hands to his lips and places a soft kiss to the top of my hand.
I must be dreaming.
* * *
We got seated at one of my favorite booths at Mel’s. It’s a small corner booth in front of the window with the prettiest view of Main Street. I used to think living in a small town was like being trapped, but I never felt more trapped than when I moved to the city. There’s something about being surrounded by concrete and people who don’t know you, like I could scream and nobody would hear me. But here, I know that if I ever needed to scream, at least twenty people would come running and they’d know exactly who I am and who to call.
I excused myself to the restroom as soon as we got seated. I needed to reapply some lip gloss and make sure it didn’t look like I just made out with a guy in his truck—because that’s what absolutely happened.
When I got back to the table, my maple latte was already sitting on the table waiting for me.
I slide back into the booth and pick up the mug of hot liquid gold. I bring it to my lips and take a small sip. Dawsen reaches over and swipes the foam from the top of my lip, and then brings it to his mouth to lick it clean.
It was quick, and definitely not meant to be sexy, but I can’t pull my gaze from his mouth, and he notices, because he let’s out a quiet chuckle.
“What are you thinking about right now?” He asks, propping his elbows on the table and folding his hands together.
“I’m thinking a lot of things.” I say, and his attention on me is suddenly a unnerving.
“I can see those wheels turning up there, Birdie. Let’s hear it.” His eagerness sends butterflies into the pit of my stomach. There’s so much lightness to him right now. Like he’s enjoying himself and for some reason it makes me emotional.
I take a deep breath and let out a little sigh.
“Well, for starters, I can’t believe I just sort of made out with you in your truck.”
He laughs and nods his head in agreeance.
“Yeah, I’ve imagined that happening a few times or a hundred.” He says, nudging my knee with his.
“How had we missed each other all this time?” My tone turned a bit more serious, just as our server approaches our table to take our order.
“Have y’all had enough time to look over the menu?” Our server asks, pulling out her pen and pad.
Dawsen looks to me and I nod, letting him know I’m ready.
“Yeah, I think so! Birdie, you go ahead.” Dawsen says.
