Page 10 of Words I Couldn't Say
Butterflies. Fireworks. Years of unknown pent-up longing exploded the moment our mouths met.
It was the best moment of my life.
The best kiss of my life. Even though it was my first, I knew deep down in my soul no one would ever compare to Tucker.
It started out soft and hesitant. I was aware I’d shocked the hell out of Tucker, but it wasn’t long before the kiss transformed into a passionate, heated frenzy as we gave into the chemistry neither of us had realized we had until that very moment.
My lips parted without question when he sought entrance. The world around us melted away as our tongues touched tentatively at first, probing delicately as we acquainted ourselves with each other. As we tangled ourselves together, we created a fervent rhythm that had me moaning into his mouth. With each searching sweep of his tongue, the more I burned for him. The more I wanted him. Just as his hand deliberately descended from the small of my back to the curve of my ass, the sound of a clearing throat doused our blazing kisses with the coldest of proverbial showers. We leaped apart, both of us panting and staring at each other as if we had seen each other in a new light.
I supposed we were.
“It’s about freaking time.”
I tore my gaze from Tucker’s. My parents, with their arms wrapped around each other, were beaming at us.
Mom, whose features I’d gotten most of, was gorgeous in an understated yet elegant ball gown that exquisitely framed her petite frame. Her blond hair was swept up into a French twist, and my little brother had likened her to a princess when he’d seen her.
“A queen,” Dad had corrected, causing an adorable, pink blush to creep onto her cheeks.
Dad looked just as debonair. His tall, lean frame was filling a black suit out. His hair, usually a bit unruly, was unusually combed and styled for the occasion. They were a beautiful couple—they always had been—and it was another reminder that what they had was what I wanted. And, now, I knew who I wanted it with.
Both of their gazes were dancing at the sight of their firstborn finally having made a move on her best friend. Unlike most dads, mine was actually holding his hand up like he was waiting for me to give him a high five. Who was I to leave him hanging?
But, before our palms could touch, however, I felt movement beside me. Without a word, Tucker curled his fingers around mine and started to pull me away from my parents and towards the exit of the gym.
Evidently, he wanted to be alone. With me. Butterflies rose in my stomach at the thought.
“Don’t do anything we wouldn’t do!” my dad called. Seconds later, his voice rang out. “Oh shit. Tucker, wait!”
My mom’s laughter echoed in the gymnasium and I peered back in time to see her place a hand on his arm just as he’d taken a step toward us.
“They’ll be fine, Jeremy. Leave them be.”
Through it all, Tucker didn’t stop or say a word until we were at the back of his truck. With his large hands grasping my waist, he hoisted me up and set me on the edge of the open bed. He placed his palms on either side of me and leaned in close, his lips brushing against mine, giving me the softest whisper of a kiss. His eyes were closed when he pulled away. When they opened, I nearly gasped at the emotion that flashed in them.
“I’ve wanted to do that for years,” he admitted.
“You have?” I asked, taken aback. He’d never even hinted or come close to kissing me.
“Yeah, Ava, I have. Why do you think I don’t date? Why do you think I’ve hated every single guy who ever looked in your direction?”
“I always thought you were overprotective. Like a big brother.”
He shook his head and rested his forehead against mine. “Trust me when I say this. I’ve never had brotherly feelings towards you.”
“You haven’t?” I asked, both pleased I hadn’t hesitated to make a move and yet mentally kicking myself for having taken so long.
Tucker’s gaze was magnetic, holding me in a force field, firmly in place, when all I wanted to do was throw my arms around him and kiss him again. His next words, however, took my breath away.
“Ava, I’m in love with you. I’ve been in love with you for forever.”
My belly tightened while my heart soared. I hadn’t expected him to say it, but now that he had, it made all the sense in the world. What had taken us so long?
“Wow,” I said. “You’re not holding back at all, are you?”
His grin transformed my insides to mush. Melted my panties. Made me quiver. “I’ve been holding back for too long. I can’t help myself. That kiss, Ava. What was that?” he asked, his voice softening almost as if he weren’t sure he should even ask the question for fear of not getting the proper answer. You know, the one that tells him I love him, too.
“That was…umm…” I decided to take a page out of Tucker’s book and spilled the beans without second thought. “That was me kissing you because I’m in love with you, too. I’ve probably been in love with you for forever, but I’ve only actually been aware of it for about five minutes.”
