Page 40 of Uproot

He smiles at me, chuckling at my confusion. “Sweetheart we are two adults who areveryattracted to each other, and have amazing chemistry every time we are together. If we go out and share a meal, and conversation, it most certainly is adate.”

His smile fades, and his gaze turns serious. “I don’t want to just be your friend, Selah. And I know this is complicated with everything that is going on in my life right now. But Ialwaysfollow my instincts. They never lead me wrong, and when I met you they were screaming at me to not let you get away.”

I sit silently for a moment trying to breathe, shocked by his forwardness, but feeling myself also strangely very turned on by it.

He waits patiently for me to respond, and finally I find my voice again, crossing and uncrossing my legs as I try to ignore the ache between them. “I feel the same way too, Beckett. But I’m nervous,” I admit.

“Then let me take the lead, angel. I’ll help you get rid of whatever doubts you have. Trust me,” he responds confidently.

I look into his eyes and realize that everything I’ve been wanting is in them. I’m not going to let distance stop me from following what my heart is wanting, and needing.

“Ok,” I agree, smiling up at him.

He smiles back at me, leaning over and kissing my forehead, his lips lingering there for a moment. “Good. Let’s get out of here.”

He wraps up the bill and we make our way back to Upwood. Our drive back to my house is quieter than when we were on our way to dinner, both of us thinking over the evening.

When we get to my house, he parks right out front and helps me out of the car. We walk to my front door and I take out my keys, holding them and feeling unsure of what to do next.

I haven’t had a first date in almost two years, and I’ve never had a first date with anyone that makes me feel like I’m floating on air like Beckett does.

But just as he promises, he takes the lead, wrapping his arm around my waist and pulling me towards him. I place my hands on his chest and look up at his steady gaze.

“Spending time with you tonight was amazing, angel. I enjoyed every second of it,” he says.

“I really enjoyed it too, Beckett. All of it,” I agree, my voice wavering.

He leans down just as I push up on my toes. We meet in the middle, our lips joining together like they’ve been dying to meet forever.

His kiss isn’t soft, or timid. He kisses me without a hint of uncertainty, as if he knows, and has always known, exactly what I need.

His soft lips caress mine as his hand moves to the back of my neck, tilting my head as he slides his tongue into my mouth, making me whimper.

I cling to the front of his shirt, feeling like the Earth could fall out from under me right now and I wouldn’t even notice. Our tongues dance around each other and he groans deep in his throat, making my thighs press together.

His tongue moves from mine, and he sucks on my top lip before pulling away from me. I slowly blink my eyes open as my heart continues to race, and see him staring down at me with heavy lidded eyes.

“Let me come in, angel,” he rasps.

“Beckett..” I mumble, going to move back from him, but he holds me tight.

“We can just talk more, Selah. I don’t want to leave you yet,” he continues. His words sound sincere, despite the fact the look he is giving me screams “Big Bad Wolf”.

I bring my fingers up to my lips, still feeling them tingling from his welcome caressing. ”I’d like that, Beckett,” I finally agree.

He closes the space between us and takes my keys from me. He unlocks my front door, and takes my hand, leading me inside.

22

Beckett

Iwalk around Selah's living room, waiting for her to come out of her bathroom.

I knew that I wasn't anywhere near ready for our date to end, and even though talking wasn't honestly at the top of my list for what I'd like to be doing with her right now, leaving her was at the bottom.

I did really enjoy getting to know her better tonight. Although learning more about her family made my heart ache for her, it gave me better insight into who she is.

I look through her bookshelves, glancing over a few romance novels with covers that make me arch an eyebrow. I look on the next shelf and pause when I see something hidden behind a large Teacher's Guidebook. I push it aside and see a small, plush, Strawberry Shortcake doll smiling back at me.

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