Page 18 of A Wallflower Never Forgets
“That sounds like a good idea. Maybe I’ll have some, too. I’ll warm up some milk and finish this batch of shortbread.”
“So, why couldn’t you sleep?” she asked, realizing she was pressing for a response. She’d had trouble sleeping as well. Because of him. Thoughts of Jonathan had invaded her dreams. She’d lain in bed, staring up at the canopy for hours while Shep cuddled on her pillow and Smoot rolled up in his basket and were both snoring away. Everyone was asleep…except her.
Frustrated, she headed to the kitchen to bake. She was beyond curious as to why he couldn’t sleep.
“Truthfully,” he started, his voice barely above a whisper. “You were on my mind.”
Had she heard correctly? “You said you had me on your mind? What were you thinking about?” She felt breathless as she anticipated his answer.
“About you…our walk. And whether I would have the opportunity to be alone with you again…because if I did, I wouldn’t waste it.”
“Wouldn’t waste it? What do you mean?” she asked, her voice betraying both hope and disbelief.
“That I wouldn’t waste the opportunity to kiss you,” he finally said.
“Really?”
“Really.”
It felt like a thousand butterflies were fluttering around in her stomach. How did they both get here? She’d so wanted him to kiss her at the pond after he rescued the fawn. But instead, he reached for her hand. At the time, she couldn’t help but wonder if he still saw her as the girl that he’d rescued time and time again but who could never be anything more than his best friend’s little sister.
That night, she couldn’t sleep. She’d been restless, and with sleep eluding her, Melanie had decided to do some baking. Baking always relaxed her and soothed her nerves. But then, just as she was in the middle of mixing the shortbread, Jonathan surprised her by strolling into the kitchen and telling her he couldn’t sleep and then admitting he’d wanted to kiss her by the pond.
Kiss her! By the pond!
Knowing he wanted to kiss her—something that had driven him to a cold kitchen in the middle of the night was a complete surprise.
What should she do now?
Should she wipe her hands on her apron?
Oh, goodness, what must she look like? She must have flour on her face. Her hair had begun to become loose from her braid. What if Shep barked…or something? She glanced to the side of the room and watched Shep lift his head and then trot over to the fireplace. A second later, he was curled up in front of the cozy fire that she’d lit to warm up the kitchen.
“You w…wanted to kiss me?”
“Yes. I still do,” he said, closing the distance between them.
He still does. Oh goodness.
She wanted him to kiss her. So much. She’d dreamed about Jonathan kissing her. So many times. And here he was telling her the same thing. Should she let this happen? What if this was her only chance to kiss him? Would she ever get another chance again?
“Melanie…” he said softly.
“Yes?” Oh my! The intensity in his gaze mesmerized her. She was certain another thousand butterflies just joined their friends fluttering in her stomach.
“You look so adorable; I don’t think I can help myself.” He drew a breath. “Would you mind if I kissed you?” His voice was low and tentative.
A kiss. It was what she’d dreamed about for years. Forever. Her first kiss. With Jonathan… Would he realize that it was her first kiss? Would it be as she had imagined a million different times?
“Yes,” she said breathlessly.
“Yes, you would mind?” he asked, his lips curving up in a crooked grin.
“No, I mean, yes, I would like that,” she replied, her voice barely above a whisper as she nodded, feeling her breath hitch in her throat. Should I stand up on my tiptoes? Close my eyes? Pucker? Take deep breaths to steady my nerves. Then, a memory sparked in her mind—a scene from a gothic book where the dashing hero instructed his lady to relax and simply follow his lead. Yes, that was the key. Relaxing was crucial. She would be mortified if she ruined her first kiss. Her heart hammered so loudly that she was certain he could hear it echoing in the silence that surrounded them.
She felt beads of perspiration begin to form on her forehead, glistening in the dim candlelight as she wrestled with her swirling thoughts and emotions.
Candlelight glowed around them, casting the room in a magical light as he leaned down to kiss her. It was slow and unhurried—as if they had the entire night ahead of them. Her eyes fluttered closed. And she breathed a deep sigh as he kissed her nose and then the lids of her eyes, warm caresses that made her tingle down to her toes. The feel of his warm breath on her cheek made her shiver. How could warmth make her shiver? His hand slid to her waist, steadying her, while the other cupped her cheek. She sighed as she leaned into his featherlight touch, nuzzling her cheek against his hand, she heard his intake of breath.
