I tried to match my breathing to his, and finally, my racing heart slowed, and soon, our inhalations and exhalations were in sync. We continued our shared breaths until my panic attack was under control. Well, that had escalated quickly.
“Sorry.” My voice came out small and ashamed.
“Don’t be sorry. I should have explained myself better. Still, you said you trusted me. Which means, you have to believe that I wouldn’t let anybody hurt you. Okay?”
Our eyes were still locked on each other’s. I could only read concern and sincerity in Philip’s gaze. I let out a thready breath. “Okay.”
His hazel eyes sparkled with approval. “I’m going to kiss you now.”
“Okay,” I repeated, this time in a hushed voice.
Philip’s lips touched mine, but unlike our first kiss, there was no hesitation. His touch was firm, but not aggressive. And I immediately opened when his tongue begged for entrance. Flavors of mint and coffee burst across my taste buds. He deepened the kiss and my whole body tingled at the sensation of his lips, tongue, and beard rasping over my skin. The tingle ran from my head to my toes, which even curled inside my shoes.
His hand fisted my hair, and he angled his head just right as he deepened the kiss. My brain short circuited, and all thought escaped. The only thing I could do was feel. My fingers felt the cottony fabric of his shirt as my hands stroked up and down his firm, muscled back. This was the kiss all the girls in school talked about, but I’d been too broken to even want what they’d experienced. I knew better now. I knew that I’d been waiting my whole life for someone to kiss me the way Philip was kissing me. As though I was the most important person in his life.
It was a mind-numbing, spine-tingling, toe-curling kiss that I never wanted to end. But as with all good things, it had to. With concerted effort, Philip dragged his lips away, but he still remained so close our heavy breaths mingled together when he rested his forehead against mine.
“A man could get used to kissing you,” he whispered against my skin.
“I hope not just any man. I hope you could get used to kissing me. ‘Cause I like your kisses very much,” I answered.
“Oh, I definitely could get used to it.”
“You’re welcome to anytime.”
“Good to know.”
Finally, he separated our bodies, but stayed close.
“Now, I’m going to pick you up at 9:00, and I want you to wear a nice dress. There is going to be food, but don’t starve yourself waiting to eat that late. Eat something light early on. Deal?” Philip asked, even though it didn’t really sound like a question.
I shook my head at the abrupt change in conversation. I wasn’t sure about this bossy side of him. He’d always kind of treated me with kid gloves. Then again, I’d agreed to do this his way. I was just a little trepidatious about it, no matter how much I trusted him.
Reluctantly, I agreed, not entirely comfortable with this. At least I’d have the rest of the day to prepare myself. I hated relying on medication as a coping mechanism, but in this case, I might have to cave.
“Deal. I’ll be ready. For the record, this sounds an awful lot like a date.”
Philip strode toward the living room, and just before disappearing around the corner, he turned and winked. “That’s because it is.”
I heard the front door close, but still hadn’t moved. Oh. Knowing I was way out of my league, I broke down and called Josie.