Page 152 of Ice Darling
Her shoulders loosen an inch.
Taking a chance, I nudge the kickstand down so the bike remains stationary.
“My truck is that way.” I slip my hand down her arm, so I can lead her to the car, but Cordelia resists me.
“Wait,” she whispers.
I turn to look at her.
“I don’t want to leave Gordie.”
“I’ll come back and take her and my mom home after I drop you off.”
Cordelia shakes her head.
“Then we can leave together,” I suggest. “I’ll get her.”
I feel a small tug on my hand.
“The way I left the table was too abrupt—she must be confused and frightened. If I disappear without warning or you drag her away without explanation, it might trigger another episode.” Taking in a shuddering breath, Cordelia stares at the house. “I’ll go back.”
I watch her throat bob as she swallows down her fear and discomfort. The strain on her face is obvious, but that doesn’t stop her from turning back to the house she just ran from.
“I’ll go back,” she says again as if each declaration builds a little more courage. “I’ll go back.”
Watching her fight for courage, I want to kiss her more than I’ve wanted to kiss any other woman in my entire life.
But the timing…
She’s reeling and nervous and sorting through a world of hurt. Rather than push myself on her, I pull her in for a hug. She melts against me, sinking into my arms as if she needed the strength.
“Thank you for coming after me,” she says, her words muffled against my chest.
“Thank you for staying.” I stroke my thumb over her hair. My feelings for this woman are solidifying even more, and it’s tough to hold back. Easing her away, I cup her cheeks between my palms. “And for being exactly who you are.”
She swallows hard, looking so soft and vulnerable.
I fight the impulse to slam my lips against hers.
Let her go, Renthrow. It’s not the right time.
Reluctantly, I start to pull away when Cordelia rises on the tips of her toes and presses her lips to mine. It’s not exactly a full-on kiss since it lands a little off the corner of my mouth, and it’s also not something she thought through. Becauseasshe’s kissing me, her eyes widen to twice their usual size.
Abruptly, Cordelia wrenches away and covers her mouth with a hand. “I-I’m sorry. I have no idea what came over me. I?—”
Screw it.
I move toward Cordelia with force. Impatiently, I curve my fingers over the hand covering her mouth and pin it behind her back to expose the plump, pink lips I’ve dreamt of tasting.
And then I kiss her.
Chapter Fifty
Cordelia
The day I rode my first bike out of the lot changed my life forever. It was a Harley-Davidson Softtail Standard. A bit too much for me to handle at seventeen. I was a little clumsy and unsure of myself, but when I felt all that power under me and rode with the wind in my face, I knew it.
I’d be a biker for life.
