Page 36 of About to Fall

"Do you want to kiss me?" she asked nervously, causing him to laugh again.

He looked to the side because this whole scene was too much to bear. She was basically asking him to do it. He had dreamed of this moment for a long time, and he had to take a second to appreciate the fact that it was about to happen in the parking lot at Isaac's wedding.

"I'm sorry if you've felt like this for longer than I have," she said. "Is it too late for me now?" Her tone was pleading. "I feel different, Micah. I was thinking about it when we were inside, and I had to go to the bathroom because I almost cried. My aunt Millie thought I was sad about Isaac getting married. I'm having all these feelings, and I don't know if they're the same as the ones you have."

"I love you like you're the only woman on earth. I most certainly want to kiss you… and other things."

"Have you never looked at another woman?"

"I'm a man, Claire, and I'm not perfect. I didn't think I could ever have you, so I've attempted to fill that gap a few times…" he trailed off, smiling and shaking his head.

"But what?" she asked.

"But then I'll get a package from you in the mail, and suddenly I have no feelings. It's not fair to whoever I've been with."

She could take it no longer. She kissed him. She was the initiator, and she pulled him toward her as she leaned upward. Their mouths connected, and she held the contact until his lips softened to her. He was trying to be gentle, and she tugged him closer. She took his lower lip into her mouth, sucking on it gently.

Micah felt like he might explode.

She was the only woman he had ever wanted, and now she wanted him in return. He had been trying his best to be gentle and take his time, but her urgency was obvious, and Micah wasn't about to leave her hanging. He pressed his body against hers, opening his mouth and covering her with his kiss.

Claire.

Her mouth.

He had dreamed about it.

He had written songs about it.

He loved the shapes of it.

He loved the taste of it. He knew he would.

It was silky and soft and perfectly warm, and Micah wanted all of her. He loved this woman with his whole being, and he kissed her accordingly. She opened her mouth to him, and he kissed her with a gentle rhythm, taking in every sensation.

It was utter bliss. Claire Alexander gave herself freely to him, and Micah kissed her greedily. They stayed there for several long minutes, saying nothing, only kissing. He would pull back to try to give her space, and she would lean up and pull him in again.

Finally, he took a step back, knowing he needed to leave. His body was scorching hot. He was on fire from her touch. It took them a minute to catch their breath.

Micah wiped at his mouth with his hand, and Claire hugged him, giving his body a little squeeze.

"Say something," she said.

"When I come back to town in three weeks, Claire, I would love for this to happen again."

"Okay," she said, nodding. "Micah?"

"What?"

She looked down, making a shy expression. "If someone in Texas or Tennessee or wherever asked you on a date, would you say 'no'?"

"Yes, I would say 'no' if someone in Texas or Tennessee asked me on a date."

He was smiling, but she wasn't looking directly at his mouth. She was staring at the loosened tie that hung around his neck because she couldn't quite look at him when she said things that made her feel so vulnerable.

"What about in Carolina?"

"Yeah, I'll say 'no' to Carolina girls, too."

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