“Um…what are you doing?” Shifting my gaze around, I noticed several patrons glancing over curiously.
“You said you like surprises.” Dropping our linked hands, he wrapped his arms around my waist. My hands fluttered over his chest as he pulled me even closer. Even though the music was fast, he swayed us gently, rocking us back and forth. His hands were warm on my waist, and I savored the feeling of them.
“Correction. You said you liked surprises.” I splayed my palms on his chest and his muscles flexed beneath my flesh.
“I believe you admitted to liking them too.” His hands skated up my spine, his face inching closer to mine.
The closer he got, the more disoriented I became. The room blurred, my surroundings like an impressionist painting. The only thing that was crystal clear was the boy standing in front of me. He angled his face, his lips so close that they almost touched mine. Desire surfacing, I inhaled sharply.
“I won’t surprise you with this.” When he spoke his top lip brushed mine. “I’ll ask permission.”
Fisting his shirt in my hands, I held my breath.
“Chloe, can I kiss you?”
I closed my eyes.
“Is that a yes?”
Nodding, I waited with anticipation.
CHAPTER 17
Holden
I’d been dying to kiss her from the minute she came down the stairs wearing that red lipstick. Her perfect heart-shaped lips had been beckoning me the entire drive. Now that she was in my arms staring up at me with slightly parted lips, I couldn’t wait any longer. Besides, it was perfect. She was happy here, I could tell. Her cheeks were flushed, her eyes bright. Music woke her up, made her more alive. And that made me want her even more.
When she nodded her permission, my pulse quickened. Drawing her close, my lips brushed hers softly. Light like a breeze. Clamping down a little more firmly, the stickiness of her lipstick coated my lips, a faint fruity scent lingering. I exerted more pressure, our mouths fusing. Her fingers closed around my shirt, her nails dragging over my chest. Our bodies swayed slowly despite the music being much faster. My hands slid up her back, our chests pressed together until her heartbeat pounded beneath mine, a mismatched drumbeat. Silky strands of hair tumbled down my arm. Darting my tongue out, I teased her mouth open. Warm, minty breath escaped when she parted her lips. I ran my tongue over her lips before thrusting it inside her mouth. Our tongues slid together in a sensual dance, as her hands left my chest and curved around my neck, her fingers tickling the sensitive flesh. A small moan escaped from the back of her throat and desire rushed to the surface. I’d never desired to kiss anyone like this before. Sure, I’d kissed a lot of girls. And I always enjoyed it. But Chloe was different. Kissing her wasn’t just for fun. I desperately wanted to be close to her. From the moment we met, I was drawn to her in a way I’d never experienced before.
It went beyond attraction with Chloe. Of course it started out that way. The minute she stepped into the spa in that black bikini, I thought she was hot. But that’s not too unusual. I was a seventeen-year-old guy. I found a lot of girls attractive. However, it was when we started talking that my need for her surfaced. I didn’t even fully understand it. Almost like our souls were connected.
And I didn’t want to sever the connection.
Too bad I didn’t have a choice.
The song ended, and I felt the waitress’ presence as she delivered our food. Reluctantly, I pulled back from Chloe. Red lipstick smeared her lips, and oddly enough it looked sexy. I knew I probably had it all over my lips too. And I wasn’t sure it would be as sexy on me, so I swiped it with the back of my hand. But when Chloe reached up to wipe hers, I caught her hand in mine.
“Let me,” I mumbled, lowering her arm.
Then I gently rubbed off the lipstick traces with my thumbs. Her skin was warm to the touch as the pads of my fingers circled her flesh. As she stared at me with dark, wide eyes, I was grateful that the connection we’d had during our kiss remained. She was still with me. And I was determined to keep it that way. When I finished eradicating all remnants of red lipstick, Chloe glanced at the food on our table and smiled.
I grinned back, hurrying to her chair. After pulling it out, I held out my arm indicating for her to sit. An expression of surprise leapt to her face as she sat. I scooted the chair forward and then made my way around the table. When I sat down, I caught Chloe watching me with a pensive look.
“What?” My hands instinctually flew to my face, assuming red lipstick was still smeared across it.
“Just never met anyone like you before.”
“Is that a good thing?”
She nodded. “A very good thing.”