Page 17 of PenPal Hero

“Please keep them in sight at all times, you hear?” His voice was pleading. “The last thing you need to do right now is go off alone.”

“I’m fine, Holt.” She wasn’t sure why he was making such a big deal out of her trek across Anderson Ranch. It was safe here. According to Alice, there were embedded security guards at every big event like theirs.

“I wish I could convince myself of that.” Holt sounded more worried than ever. “Any chance you’d be willing to wait about ten minutes so I can join you?”

His obvious concern touched her heart. “If you feel that strongly about it.”

“I do. Where’s Alice?”

She heard a door slam. It was followed by the rev of a truck motor in the background. “Attending our last powwow session. I cut out early.”

“I’m on my way, babe.”

He met her in the parking lot in well under the estimated ten minutes.

She jogged to the driver’s side of his truck, anxious to see him in person for the first time since the start of the retreat.

He was still in his grease-spattered work clothes, but she didn’t care. She wanted to throw herself in his arms and hug the living daylights out of him. Since they weren’t officially dating yet, she settled for teasing him. “It’s nice of you to get all dressed up to see me.”

“You didn’t give me any time to change.” He gave her jean-clad figure an appreciative once over. A breathtaking mix of admiration and adoration glowed in his dark gaze.

“I honestly don’t care. I was just messing with you,” she admitted. “It’s really great to see you, Holt.” She hesitated a beat before adding, “I’ve missed you.”

“Missed you, too. Like crazy.” His gaze darkened with exhilaration as he kicked the truck door shut and held his arms out to her.

She stepped into them, really glad he’d made the first move. She slid her arms around his middle. “I know we’re just pen pals, but?—”

His hard mouth came down on hers, silencing her.

She fisted her hands in the back of his shirt, hanging on for dear life as her emotions swam dizzily. This was what she’d been missing. This was what she’d been aching for.

As Holt deepened their kiss, tears leaked from the edges of her eyes. It wasn’t simply their first kiss. It was her first kiss ever! And no one had warned her that a person could feel this much all at once. She felt like she was melting from the inside out.

Holt broke off the kiss and raised his head to gaze down at her with concern. “You okay?”

She nodded dizzily. “I, um…yes.”

Her answer didn’t erase the worry lines on his forehead. “I’m sorry if you feel like I’m rushing things between us. I didn’t mean?—”

“You’re not,” she assured quickly. “I was going to give you my answer over dinner, anyway.” She gulped. “About dating you… I was going to say yes.”

“Are you sure?” He cupped her face between his hands, using his thumbs to brush away her tears.

She caught her lower lip between her teeth before answering. “It’s probably the only thing I’m sure about right now,” she admitted. “The rest of me is all tangled up inside.”

He continued brushing his thumbs over the damp skin beneath her eyes. “At the moment, I’m pretty tangled up myself. Over you, babe.”

She smiled.

“Was it good for you?” he inquired anxiously.

“Our first kiss?”

“Yeah.” He bent his head to touch his mouth to hers again.

“It was amazing,” she said softly. Though she had nothing to compare it to, she seriously doubted anything in the world could top it. “I didn’t know it could be like this.”

He nuzzled the corner of her mouth. “Like what?”

---