Page 5 of Rush

“I’m two or three years younger than all of you, max. That’s not a lot younger,” she frowned.

“It is at this age. I know you don’t get it now, but Rush is doing the right thing,” said JB, grinning at her. “See you at dinner.”

Caroline saw Rush on and off that year but never in an intimate, one-on-one setting. She hoped and prayed that he’d ask her to homecoming or to his senior prom, but he didn’t attend either dance. When he quietly left for boot camp, she didn’t even get to say goodbye. But when he returned several years later, and she was home from school, she knew this was her chance.

They weren’t children any longer. They were both adults. She could feel his eyes on her and turned, smiling at him. He grinned back but looked confused. Maybe he didn’t recognize her. She was wearing her hair different and had lost a few pounds. Needing to hear his voice, smell his cologne, feel his touch, she had to move toward him and see him close up and in person after all this time.

“Rush! It’s so wonderful to see you,” she smiled, reaching down to hug his neck. She inhaled his scent and felt her body tingle beneath the touch of him.

“Uh, yea. Great to see you, too, Caroline. I hear you’re getting close,” he said in a croaky voice.

“Yes, I hope so. I know Mom and Dad are anxious for me to get back here and help at the animal center. What about you? Are you getting closer?” He coughed, nodding his head.

“Yep. I’m getting close,” he said, looking up at her. She smiled, wondering what was wrong with him.

“Well, a bunch of us are going to The Well tonight. Will you join us? I could use a good dance partner.”

“Yea. Yea, sure. That would be great.”

She felt as though she was forcing him to do some horrific chore and almost regretted asking him. But she knew that Rush would never say yes if he didn’t really want to come.

“Great,” she grinned. “Remember, you’re in Louisiana now. It’s hot even at night, so you might want to drop those pants.” Stupid! Of course, he knows he’s in Louisiana. God, get yourself together, Caroline!

“Drop my pants,” he repeated. “Sure. I’ll do that.”

She gave him another smile and turned to go back toward the others. Feeling his eyes on her, she looked over her shoulder and saw the crimson blush on his cheeks. Did he like her? Did he not like her? They weren’t children any longer, and he shouldn’t be worried about any age difference. They were adults, and they should be able to profess their affection for one another. Assuming he had any affection for her at all.

Tonight, she was going to find out.

Caroline must have tried on ten outfits before settling on the sundress. It would be cool enough but slightly sexy without being overtly so. She just wanted Rush to notice her. To give her the time of day.

“I’m so glad you decided to join us,” she smiled, sitting next to him.

“How could I resist? So, tell me about school.”

Caroline rambled on for twenty minutes about school and the labs she was taking and how close she was to finishing. She talked about the dog training and the horses and then cursed at herself for boring the shit out of him.

When she pulled him to the dance floor, he seemed awkward and acted as if he didn’t want to be there. When they shared a basket of fries, he ate slowly, like a man who wasn’t sure he should be eating at all.

“If you don’t like the fries, we could get something else,” she said.

“No, the fries are good.”

He stood and pulled her to the dance floor when a slow song came on. She thought this was going to be the opportunity to steal the kiss, but when she looked up at him, she was concerned.

“Hey, are you okay?” she asked, seeing his flushed face. She took his hand, pulling him around to the back porch. No one else was there, and she was relieved.

“Yea. Yea, I’m fine,” he said, shaking his head. Turning, he looked down at her.

“Rush. I’m so glad you came out with us. With me. I don’t know if you know, but I’ve liked you for so long,” she whispered.

Standing on her toes, she wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling his head downward. The moment his lips touched hers, Caroline knew that her world would never be the same. There would be no other man in her life except Rush Anders.

His strong lips caressed her own, his tongue dancing with her. She heard him moan and then grind his hips into her abdomen. She felt the steel rod against her body, and chills ran up her flesh, thinking about the things this man would do to her body.

His arms wrapped around her waist, pressing her harder into his body, and Caroline was ready to go overboard. She moaned a throaty, needy moan.

“Caroline,” he whispered. “Honey, we have to stop.”

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