Page 173 of The Home Grown
“I’ve missed you,” he says.
“I’ve missed you,” I say.
It’s all so very cliché, but also not at the same time. Because Ihavemissed him.
“We’re okay, yeah?” he says, pulling back to look at me.
“Of course.”
“And as soon as I know, you’ll know. Okay?”
“Okay,” I say.
“And did you cash the cheque?” he asks.
“I’m still deciding,” I say.
“Well, I understand. Whatever you decide, it’ll be the right decision.”
I snuggle back into him and nod into his chest.
“What time are you meeting Vicky?” he asks.
“In around ten minutes. Why?”
“Can you spare me five?” he says. “Come with me.”
Before I have a chance to react, he slips his rough palm in mine, then he pulls me to follow him.
“Where are you taking me?” I ask.
He doesn’t reply. He’s busy hurrying along the tunnel in a direction I’ve never been before—not that I’ve been anywhere other than the direction of the ice.
We come to a stop in front of a room labelled ‘Equipment Storage Room’,Mike fishing a key out of his pocket and unlocking the door with a ‘click’ before he pulls me inside.
God, it stinks in here. The smell of stale sweat and something I can’t quite put my finger on.
“Mike? What’s going on?” I ask.
He closes the door behind me and pushes a heavy-looking box across its width, blocking the exit.
Then his lips are on mine.
The four days since we’ve seen each other, all crammed into this moment. Four days’ worth of kisses to make up for.
Four days of longing.
Four days of wanting.
Four days of wishing we were closer.
When he said he wanted to see me before the playoff finals started, I underestimated his intentions. But as he parts his lips and I invite him to deepen the kiss, I get the message.
His hands roam, skimming over my hips as he toys with the waistband of my jeans before he slips his hands, ever so slightly upwards, under my t-shirt. Skin-on-skin almost blistering hot.
“I’ve missed you. I don’t like this long-distance thing,” he says, leaving my lips wanting as he kisses his way to my throat. “Move in with me? I know it’s a lot to ask but—move here. Please. We’ll figure it out.”
And a question so big … so life changing shouldn’t have me reacting the way I do. I jerk away slightly, forcing him to look at me and my body reacts before my mind catches up.
