Page 62 of A Magnolia Move-In
“About last night…” Spencer drew out those three words before letting his voice drift away. I could hear his hesitancy, so I kept my focus elsewhere.
“Yes?” I responded, urging him to speak and not retreat into himself.
“I’m sorry.”
There was so much depth and sorrow to his words that I couldn’t help but look over at him. His gaze met mine, and I held it. Unspoken words flowed between us, and I could feel the agony he felt. Not only because he’d stood me up, but why he’d stood me up.
“It’s okay,” I whispered.
He shook his head. “I should have called or left a note.I just didn’t realize that it was the anniversary of Rosalie’s death until later in the day. That only made me feel worse.” He sucked in his breath. “It feels like I’m forgetting.”
Before I could stop myself, I reached over and wrapped my hand around his. I gave it a gentle squeeze. I wanted him to know that I hadn’t been hurt. That I understood.
“It’s okay,” I repeated. I wanted him to know that I held no ill will toward him.
Spencer paused, and for a moment, I worried that I’d overstepped by touching him. But then, slowly, he raised his other hand and rested it on mine. Warmth flooded my body, and I found myself letting out a slow breath. Why did this feel so good? Why did I want more?
We sat there for a few minutes, holding hands. It was calming, and mixed with the sweet smell of the firewood and the salty air around us, I never wanted it to end. I leaned my head back and closed my eyes, allowing myself to fall into the completeness that I felt right now.
“Penny?”
I lifted my head and looked over at Spencer. “Hmm?”
He was staring down at our hands and then slowly dragged his gaze up to meet mine. His eyebrows were furrowed, and his lips drawn down in a frown. “If I asked you to come with me to see my daughters, would you?”
I straightened, realizing that I needed to give my full and undivided attention to what he was saying. “Go with you to talk to your daughters?”
He nodded. “It doesn’t have to be tomorrow or thisweek even. I just…” He sighed and cast his gaze away from me as if he didn’t know how to form the words he wanted to say. “I feel close to you. For the first time since moving to Magnolia, I don’t feel alone.” He swallowed as he brought his gaze back to mine. “I want things to change.”
I couldn’t fight the soft smile that was begging to be released. I knew the feeling. The desire to create a future that looked different than your past. And if Spencer needed me there to help, who was I to say no?
“I would love to.”
Spencer’s gaze was fixed on me now. Before I could blink, he leaned forward. It was as if instinct took over and I knew exactly what he wanted me to do. So, I obliged.
Our lips brushed one another, and my breathing stopped. It had been so long since I’d kissed a man that, for a moment, I forgot what to do. But, as his hand left mine and rested under my chin, a shudder rushed through me, and my lips took over.
I deepened the kiss and dropped my hand from his. I moved my hands to his shoulders and then up to entwine my fingers in his hair. Spencer let out a low growl that vibrated against my lips. I giggled for a moment before he wrapped his arm around my waist and pulled me closer to him.
I wasn’t sure how long our kiss lasted, but when he pulled back to stare down at me, I knew it hadn’t lasted long enough. He stared into my eyes, as if trying to understand what just happened.
“Are you okay?” he asked, his voice gravelly with passion.
I chewed on my bottom lip, trying to decide if it would be ladylike to pull him in for another kiss. “Yes,” I whispered.
He smiled. “I haven’t kissed a woman since Rosalie.”
I raised my eyebrows. “Really.”
His cheeks flushed as he nodded. “Yes.”
I smiled and leaned in to brush my lips against his once more. “I couldn’t tell,” I whispered against his lips.
He pulled me in and kissed me again. This time, I felt like I was twenty again. His hands were firm against my body, and our lips moved in time as if this were a familiar dance.
Kissing Spencer left me breathless. Listening to his past and his pain left me hurting for him. Planning a future together made me hopeful.
I was falling for Spencer, and I’d only just met him. Practical Penny knew better than this.
