Page 65 of One Small Spark
I crowd closer, the scent of cut grass drifting up from her, fresh and intoxicating. Never thought the smell of grass did it for me. Probably, it’s that everything about Wren does it for me.
“Maybe I want you in my personal space.”
Her lips part as she processes that confession. I’d give her a whole bucketful of them if I didn’t think it would send her running. She stares at me so long, her denial must be coming. My gorgeous flight risk.
She surprises me by resting her hands on my chest. Gingerly, as if I have broken ribs she’s afraid of touching too much, but it counts. Does it ever. Her soft, tentative touches are an inferno across my skin.
“If I did come by,” she says slowly, “it would only be to catalog all your books. For research purposes.”
I rest one hand on the side of her car, caging her in. “I’d be honored to be your research subject.”
Her mouth tips up. I want to trace the lines of those lips with my thumb. Lean in and put an abrupt end to this conversation. Now that I know what she tastes like, it takes everything in my power to resist.
“And obviously, I would eat your food.”
“I’ll cook for you any time.”
I move my free hand to her waist, marveling I’m allowed to touch her after longing to for endless months. Her fingers splay across my chest, running over the buttons on myshirt pockets. All the while, we stare at each other in the darkness like we’re tucked away in bed beneath a comforter.
We breathe in time, sharing space. My heart races beneath her fingers. The pulse in her throat jumps.
“Are you going to kiss me or what?”
I love the edge of urgency in her whisper. I slide my hand from her waist to the middle of her back, the other carding into her hair. A sigh escapes her, and I’m tempted to capture it with my mouth. We’re so close, it would only take the smallest tilt of my head to reach her. Or her sliding onto her tiptoes. Maybe I’m a masochist, but I love the anticipation. I’ve waited for her this long. I don’t mind drawing it out.
“You want me to kiss you?” My question is loose and languid. I’m in no rush, but I need her to admit it. To stop this one step forward, two steps back dance and meet me in the middle.
She hesitates as if looking for loopholes in a trick question.
“Just…one more time.” Her voice cracks as I lean in. I glide my cheek against the shell of her ear, and she shivers beneath my hands. “Just to get this out of our systems.”
“It will never be out of my system.” I run my nose along her neck, down to her collar bone, breathing in the fading smell of grass. I love the way she rotates through perfumes, every scent a new secret to discover. “You’re in my system for good.”
“We still don’t like each other…right?” She’s breathy and restless, but it’s the uncertainty that stops my dazed exploration.
I pull back until I can look her in the eyes. It’s dark, but we see each other well enough. “What kind of bird do I have tattooed on my arm?”
She blinks hard, her fingers tensing on my chest. “What?”
I repeat the question, inching her closer to me with my hands, willing her to say the words and admit what she already knows.
“I—” Her eyes dance between each of mine, searching for something. She swallows, and even this soft light is enough to show me that she’s steeling herself. Closing herself off to the truth. “I don’t know. I’m not a bird watcher.”
This beautiful, stubborn, infuriating woman.
I tighten my hold on her hair to tip her face up, and she sucks in a breath. This close to her, I almost give in. But I relax my hand, leaning in to press a kiss to her forehead. I linger, breathing her in, her fingers gripping my shirt so tight I’m surprised she doesn’t rip the fabric.
She wants a kiss, desperately, but can’t bring herself to confront how either of us actually feels. That’s okay. I can be patient. I’ve had practice.
I draw back, easing my hold on her. “Goodnight, Krause.”
Confusion bleeds into frustration, and her gaze shutters. She releases my shirt, her hands slowly falling to her sides.
“Text me when you get home.”
She glares, huffing a humorless laugh. “What happens if I don’t?”
I shrug. “I’ll drive by your house and make sure you’re home safe.”
