Page 47 of Tastes Like Watermelon Moonshine
“Sure.” I give her a squeeze back. Chrissy joins us as we pass huge speakers blasting some country music.
The food and drink tables are set up on the porch of the abandoned ranch house, but the spot where Raegan and I had her birthday dinner is open. Packages of snack foods and a few platters of “real” food litter the food tables. Liters of soda, bottled water, and several packages of alcohol are set up on the drink table.
I’ve never really been tempted to try alcohol. I didn’t understand the thrill that other kids in high school got out of drinking it.IfI ever try any, it won’t be until I’m over twenty-one.
“I think I’m just going to go for a bottle of water. At least there’s no punchbowl to get spiked.” Raegan says as she grabs some water bottles for us.
I grab a few snack bags and avoid the platters of brownies that are set out. I’m certain there’s a reason there’s so many of them. We head toward the bonfire and grab a log with the guys and Jaimie joins us as well. I sit quietly and just watch everyone else talk. I’ve enjoyed these nights. Enjoyed these friendships. I’m going to miss it when I get drafted.
The last hues of orange and red slowly disappear and darkness takes over the sky. “Can we go and dance for a little bit?” Raegan whispers, her head lying on my shoulder. “I should probably take my shoes off first. These heels are making my feet sore, and there’s nothing like dancing barefoot in the grass.” Her eyes sparkle in the firelight, and I’m powerless to deny her request even if I wanted to. And I don’t want to. I’ll take every chance that I can get to hold her in my arms.
“I can’t say ‘no’ to you.” My voice is throaty and low, and I watch as she shivers at the sound. Raegan removes her sandals and I hold out a hand to help her to her feet. I clutch her fingers in mine and we head toward an open patch of grass.
My eyes fall closed as she loops her arms around my neck and rests her head on my chest. The rhythm of the music surrounds us, and we just glide across the grass, nothing else existing around us.
The song changes, it’sWatermelon Moonshine, a new one by Lainey Wilson that just came out. I know that Lainey is one of Raegan's favorite artists, so it’s no surprise when her head pops up at the change of tune.
“Mmmmm,” she hums, “I really like this song. I don’t know why, it just makes me feel light and floaty.”
“I like it, because you like it.” I whisper and pull her closer so that every inch of our bodies touches. Her fingers twirl in my hair and she hums as we sway together. Her eyes are soft and dark, her eyelids lowered in a seductive manner. I’m hypnotized by her.
She sings along, her face lighting up any time the phrase about the guy and the girl comes up. My chest tightens as I watch her. If I had it my way, we’d stay right here, in this embrace, forever.
I want to hold her forever. Marry her, make her mine. Us, together forever. Holding each other like this every night. Falling asleep together, waking up beside each other.
I lean down so that our foreheads touch. I close my eyes. Letting my senses take over, writing this moment into my memory.
The bonfire crackling.
The smoke wrapping around us, filling my nostrils.
The energy that pulses through me from every spot that brushes against her.
The coconut smell from her hair as my nose brushes the silky strands.
Her skin, smooth and warm beneath my fingertips.
Another song begins playing. It’s slower. Deeper. More intimate. A longing builds up inside me. I can’t get close enough to her. I want a deeper connection with her. I want… her.
Chapter 21
Raegan - The Past
LeaningmyfaceintoAustin’s neck I let the song wash over me. I respond not only to the words, but the slow and seductive rhythm and melody. My skin hums at every point of contact with Austin’s, and my heart slows down to match the music.
“Give in to me.” The vocalists sing. I find that I want to give in. To these new feelings. These new desires. To be closer to Austin. To experience more with him. I’ve been fine with the hand holding, with the sweet little kisses. Okay, they’ve been getting a little stronger than sweet. There’s steam and desperation in them these days. And that kiss in the truck tonight? And this song and dance now…
I feel almost as if I’ve accidentally had some alcohol. Well, I assume this is what people feel like after they’ve had a drink. What has happened to me? I haven’t felt like this before. Ihaven’t wanted more. I’ve wanted to stick to our boundaries. I’ve wanted to do it God’s way. Why do I want more now?
Austin’s voice hums against my head, and a shiver ripples down my spine. Heat spreads from the ripple, curling all around me. I lift my head from Austin’s neck, and look through my eyelashes at him.
Those verdant pools reflect the feelings that I know shine clearly in my own eyes. Our eyes remain connected for the rest of the song, just like our bodies. I can’t form any words, or coherent thoughts. They’re all a tangled mess in my brain. All that matters is me and Austin. The song ends. And the spell breaks.
In a daze, my hand still clasping Austin's, we join our friends, closer to the crackling bonfire.
“Jeez Louise. I ain’t ever seen that many eye babies made before.” Chrissy’s tone is filled with warning, but also with love. Her comment pulls me from my romantic stupor. I’ve been playing with fire, and I know she’s trying to remind me to behave. A sliver of me is upset that she’s semi-chastising me, but I did ask her to help me keep my dating boundaries.
Playing with fire will get me burned. It started with my hand on his thigh in the truck. And now this dance where he held me so close, so intimately. And these feelings coursing through me. Feelings I don’t know how to manage.
