Searching for Mine(25)
Her lips parted. “Connor?”
They paused on the barrier, reluctant to take the tumble, frozen in place by the question asked of each other.
Connor made the only decision available because if he didn’t kiss her in this moment, he’d spend the rest of his nights grieving the lost opportunity of a lifetime.
So he kissed her.
He swallowed her moan and tasted pure sweetness, an intoxicating swirl of purity and lust in one delicious twist. Her lips opened under his without hesitation, not only allowing entry but demanding. Her hands closed around his shoulders and she held on with a brutal force that rocketed his desire. Laid out on the snow, tucked away from the crowds, Connor kissed her like he’d never kissed another woman, and when he finally pulled away, he knew nothing would ever be the same again.
They stared at each other in pure shock.
“You guys okay?”
The deep voice cut through the fog. Connor jumped up, turning around to see one of the park attendants. He hoped his voice would work when he tried to use it. “Yeah, sorry. Had a bit of a wipeout. Thanks.”
“No problem. Want me to take your tube?”
Ella stumbled to her feet, looking dazed. “Umm, yes, I don’t need it anymore. Thanks.”
“Sure.” He took the tube and trudged away.
Ella averted her gaze. “I better go check on Luke.”
“Ella?”
She shuddered. Wrapped her arms around her chest. “Yeah?”
He searched for the right words but didn’t know what he really wanted to say. “I’m sorry.”
She stiffened. “Don’t be ridiculous. We were just caught up in a moment. It was silly. Let’s forget it, okay?”
He tried to study her face but she turned and headed up the hill. As he followed, Connor wondered if he’d be able to forget it.
* * * *
She’d kissed Connor Dunkle.
Ella nodded and smiled as Luke chattered nonstop through dinner. He’d met two boys from school during snow tubing and spent some time with them in the arcade. Watching her son bloom from sullen to joyful filled her with such relief her muscles seemed to actually sag. The weeks spent with Connor had been good for him. He never complained about shoveling, and got into the habit of doing his homework next door with Connor. They’d gotten close, and a bond had developed between man and boy she’d never seen before.
Of course, it was dangerous.
Especially after the kiss.
Ella sipped her wine and picked at her salad. Luke was her main priority, and she didn’t want him to be confused with the relationship between her and Connor. Somehow, they’d become good friends. He was also still technically her student. She wasn’t about to screw anything up just because she had a physical weakness and was tempted by rock-hard muscles and stinging blue eyes. She’d need to forget the way his thighs had pinned her in the snow, parting her legs just enough so she could feel his erection through his jeans. She refused to think about the drugging, addictive taste of him on her lips, or the way his tongue had slid inside her mouth and taken charge with delicious, drugging thrusts.
No way. They had a good thing going, and she knew how Connor worked. Women fell into his path like they’d been hypnotized, helpless against the mix of gorgeous looks, physical stature, and melting charm. She wasn’t the type of woman he dated or looked for in a mate. She had small boobs and dressed like a sparrow rather than a peacock. She had no idea how to flirt or play games. She had no desire to have a one-night affair and wreck their friendship. Pretending that kiss was anything but an impulse, quickly forgotten, would be disastrous.
The encounter proved one thing to her. She needed someone in her life. It was time. The image of the business card from Kinnections flashed in her mind, and Ella knew what she was going to do.
“I’m going to the bathroom,” Luke announced.
“Okay, honey.”
Her son left them alone. An awkward silence descended.
“Ella?”
She dragged in a breath and forced herself to look up. “Yeah?”
His blue eyes filled with worry. “Did I screw up? With us?”
She wondered what she’d do if he boldly stated he wanted her. Woman to man. Naked. When he kissed her, she’d experienced such an intense bolt of hunger, her body had wrested control of her mind and let her fly free. Maybe this was a sign it was time for her to begin searching for what she needed. His kiss proved she had her own needs. It had been two years since she had a date or sexual experience. Hadn’t she sacrificed enough yet? She loved her son, but didn’t she deserve to find love or companionship, too? Wasn’t it her turn?
Ella forced a smile and shook her head. “No. We’re friends, right? We’re not going to let a kiss ruin that for all of us.”