Page 199 of Terms Of Un-Endearment
“I’m just saying, it worked for Dex. My knees turn to Jell-o when I think about that kiss.” She glances at Dex with a look I plan to put on Piper’s face with our first real kiss.
“It’s good advice, mate,” Dex says while returning Britta’s soft gaze.
I pull the apron over my head and throw it over the hook on the wall in my dash for the front door.
I’m barely through it when I see Piper at the opposite end of the walkway. We both stop. She smiles, then runs—literallyruns—to me, jumping into my arms and wrapping her legs around my waist.
“I’m not your annoying stepsister anymore,” she says.
“Yeah? I’m going to —”
She puts her finger on my lip. “No more talking.”
I obey.
With one arm wrapped tightly around her waist, I slide my other hand along her jawline to the nape of her neck and kiss the corner of her mouth. As I work my way across her lips, I carry her to an outdoor table no one is sitting at. I’m vaguely aware there are people at the other tables and more inside watching through the window, but I don’t care. I’ve waited too long for this moment to worry about who sees it.
We break apart long enough for me to set Piper on the wrought iron table. She drops her legs, and with a smile that takes my breath, grabs my shirt to pull me closer. Our lips meet again. Softly at first, then with all the longing we’ve held back. We deepen our kiss. I explore every part of the mouth I’ve been dreaming about for months. The reality is so much better than the dream.
“Archie! Mate!” Dex yells behind me.
With my hand still cradling Piper’s cheek, I pull away and glance at Dex.
“This is a family establishment.” He waves his head toward parents with a baby in a stroller at the table next to us. An older couple at a nearby table both clap and whistle. I hear more clapping coming from inside.
The baby’s mother rests her chin on her hand. “Baby’s asleep. You go right ahead.”
Piper and I both laugh uncomfortably. I take her hand to help her off the table.
Piper waves to a dark-haired woman behind me. “How about we start tomorrow, Anna?”
“Fine with me,” the woman says, looking a little shell-shocked.
I hold Piper’s hand and walk her to the used sedan I traded in the Sprinter for. The day I handed over the Sprinter was almost as rough as waiting to kiss Piper, but then I bought roof racks for my board and discovered the bench seat allows Piper to sit right next to me.
“Where are we going for our date tonight?” She asks as I open the door for her.
“Surfing?” I have everything we need to surf, which means we can do it for free. And free is all I can afford at the moment.
“Or,” she says after I slide into the driver’s seat. “Hear me out—we don’t get in the water and focus our energy on the activity we were previously engaged in.”
“Brilliant. But let’s make it a lunch date.”
“Excellent idea.”
I twine my fingers through hers and drive the couple miles to my favorite beach which is more secluded than the main beach near Frothed. Luck shines on us, and I find a spot to park right away.
Our hands stay locked as we slide out of the car and find the bougainvillea covered gate that opens to a steep paved path toward a small cove. A gentle breeze rustles palm leaves together in a soft shushing sound that echoes the blood pumping through my ears.
Piper’s hand is small in mine. I brush my thumb across her knuckles, dipping between each one, reminding me of the rise and fall of a wave. When we reach the bottom of the steps, I lead Piper to an outcropping of rocks that provides us some privacy.
She leans against the rocks and takes my other hand to pull me closer. My fingers brush the sun-warmed, water-smoothed formation as they curl around her waist. Her long, bright skirt swirls around my legs when I step between hers.
“You don’t need this, do you?” she tugs at the hem of my shirt, and I answer by letting go of her long enough to pull off the T and toss it to my feet.
The collarbone hugging tan line that’s tempted me for months peeks beneath her cardigan. I trace my forefinger over the line, then slide back her cardigan and trace the line again with my lips.
Piper sucks in her breath and walks her fingers around my waist as I work my way from her collarbone to the hard line of her jaw just below her ear. My journey continues all the way to her lips. I take my time, because we have it now. I promised her I would make up for lost time when I finally kissed her, and I do.
