Page 6 of Grit
I can’t. Her mind was a jumble of relief and gratitude and need. But she didn’t want him to let go.
“Missy, look at me.”
“Don’t—” She looked up, but his lips stopped any retort she might have mustered.
Oh, fuck it. Reaching up, she grabbed the thick hair that fell to his shoulders and gave in to years of temptation. She reached behind his neck and gripped. She slid her knee between his and pressed her body into his.
He tasted so good. His hand moved from her wrist to grab the small of her back. His fingers curled and dug in. His grip was so tight it would probably leave marks.
So good.
Damn, Cary was an excellent kisser. Way better than she’d ever imagined. It had been six years since she’d kissed anyone, and she didn’t even think about fumbling. His mouth was too demanding. His lips were too sure.
For a few sweet seconds, all Melissa thought about was the taste of Cary Nakamura’s mouth, the warmth of his hands, and how his chest was just as solid as she’d dreamed.
Oh shit, I’m standing on a sidewalk in Metlin.
Melissa broke the kiss and stepped back. “We can’t do this.”
“Fuck that,” he growled. “We already are.”
She shook her head.
“Stop lying to yourself,” he said. “What are you so damn afraid of?”
“Afraid?” A bitter laugh burst from her. “Oh… you have no idea.” She turned and started walking back to her car.
“Fine!” He yelled. “Walk away, but don’t pretend like this is finished, because it’s not.”
You idiot. This never even had a chance to start.
“I know what you’re thinking, Melissa Rhodes. And you’re wrong.”
She didn’t have time to argue with him.
Melissa kept walking.
She didn’t have time to kiss a man on the sidewalk.
She didn’t have time to dream about a sweeter life.
She didn’t have time for Cary.
Chapter One
Melissa’s eyeswere trained on her daughter as Abby waited patiently through the song. She was ten now. She wanted to pretend she was too cool for birthday songs and candles, but the glow of excitement didn’t lie.
“Happy birthday, dear Abby…”
There were five ten-year-old girls singing in Melissa’s kitchen along with her mom, Joan; Calvin’s parents, Greg and Beverly; her brother, Ox, and his girlfriend, Emmie; and Cary Nakamura and his mom, Rumi.
For the small dining room at the ranch in Oakville, it was a full house.
“Happy birthday to youuuuu.”
Abigail Caroline Rhodes, ten-year-old cowgirl, goat rancher, avid reader, and light of Melissa’s life, leaned over and blew out the candles on her birthday cake.
The party of family and friends erupted in applause, and Joan reached over to lift the birthday cake out of the way.
