Page 49 of Forbidden Kisses
I could watch this woman do anything. Eat, watch a movie, or just read a book. I was captivated.
After we finished, I threw the cartons in the nearby bin and then grabbed her hand, moving her farther away from the stand so we could be alone.
"Hey, where are you taking me?"
"Away so that guy can't hear us or interrupt us."
"Oh, that's right. You were saying that you've lost the battle. So, what were those reasons?"
"Riley, look… Since Jeremy's mom and I and broke up, I didn't want to bring anyone into my son's life. Shona?—"
"Your ex-wife?"
I shook my head. "We were never married. We were in a relationship, and we both wanted to make it work for Jeremy's sake. But then when it became clear that it wasn't going to be possible, we simply went on different paths."
Her eyes filled with compassion. "It's so nice that you did it amicably."
"It was what was best for him, and there’s no bad blood between us. Though we do have some differences of opinions. For example, she has no problem dating, whereas I never wanted to confuse my son."
"Oh. I understand." She sounded slightly disappointed.
I swallowed hard. "But with you, it's different."
"How?" she whispered.
"Because this isn't just attraction, Riley." I took in a deep breath. "It's bigger, it's more powerful, and ignoring it is not the right thing.”
"I completely agree. So, what else was on that list? It sounded like it was a number of things."
I frowned. "Does it really not bother you that I'm older than you?"
She rolled her eyes. "I thought it might, in the beginning. But it’s not so important.”
“Nine years is a lot.”
“Yes, but it doesn'tfeelthat way. Honestly, I don't care about it at all. I've never been like my friends. Not even in high school or college."
"But there are many differences that come with that age gap. You’ll be starting your career soon."
"And I can't wait for that. But I don't think any of that means that we should…" Her words faded.
"Keep ourselves in check?" I finished for her in a teasing voice. "Behave?"
"Yeah, that. I think we've moved too far past behaving anyway."
I tilted closer to her and covered her mouth, exploring her slowly. Then I put my hands on her back, deepening our connection. I kissed her until she whimpered. I'd been craving another taste of her, had dreamed about it last night and woke up this morning with a fucking hard-on. I'd imagined howexquisite it would be to feel her mouth again. The reality was even better than that.
Soon, the kiss wasn't lazy anymore. It was fast and desperate.
I groaned, straightening. "I can't stop."
"Then don't."
"I fucking should, Riley. Because—" I kissed her forehead, feeling her shudder under my touch. "—I want us to watch the sunset."
She pulled back, looking at me. "Are you serious?"
"Yes. I want us to just enjoy this. Take our time."
