Page 37 of Waiting For Ever
His kiss is soft, lingering. And when he pulls back, I lean into him, not wanting it to stop. Instead of kissing me again though, he places his lips on my forehead and wraps his arms around me. Tucking my head under his chin, he swings slowly side to side, once, twice. Then he moves his hands to my shoulders and pulls back to look at me again. “Be careful, Ever, okay? I like seeing you relax and have fun. Just be safe tonight. When I’m not there. Please?”
“Yeah, totally. Don’t worry.” I clench his soft heather-gray tee lightly in both my fists and rock them back and forth against his chest like pulling on suspenders. “Just letting off a little steam. But I’ll miss my spooning buddy tonight.”
His chuckle is more groan. “Careful what you wish for. Lilly may offer herself as tribute. Especially if she drinks enough jungle juice.”
“Ha, ha. Yeah, I think I’ll draw the line at letting her share half my bed.”
“Fair enough. I guess we better get back to the fire before they miss us.”
“Don’t you have to use the bathroom?”
“No, I came in here for you.”
“Okay.”
“Okay.” He turns to head toward the door, taking my hand to lace our fingers. As soon as we walk through the door to the deck, he squeezes my hand and releases it.
“Julie?” I stop just outside the Brew doors, so he does too.
“Ever?” He looks sideways at me and waits.
“Can I ask you something?”
“Of course. Anything.”
“I’m just wondering what your definition of slow is. Because to me it’s landing like a hard stop instead of slow progression. And really my question is, what are you waiting for?”
Groaning, he faces me and places his hands on my shoulders and squeezes lightly. “Smart, sassy girl, you don’t fight fair.”
“Are we fighting?” I arch my eyebrow in challenge.
With a chuckle and another little squeeze of my shoulders, he drops his hands, letting the one closest to me slide down my back to my ass.
The rub pat thing he does heats me more thoroughly than any fire could. It makes saliva gather in my mouth. His touch sparks a flame in my lower region that has me fighting the urge to squirm as we walk. When he doesn’t speak but keeps moving toward the others, I stop. He takes a couple more steps before he realizes I’m not keeping pace.
Sighing audibly, he faces me and says, “I guess I just want to make sure I’m being respectful of our situation. We were kinda thrown together to help Allie and . . . I don’t want to . . . I don’t know . . . take advantage. And maybe we should have this conversation when you’re not drinking.”
I place my hands on my hips and face him squarely as I consider his words. “First, I’m not drunk. I’m happily buzzed and very much in control of my faculties.”
“Hmf.” The corner of his mouth tilts up as he sighs and nods at me, but he stays silent, waiting for me to continue.
“Second, and I want you to hear me on this. You are probably the best thing that’s ever happened to me. I’ve never felt more myself than when I’m with you. If you’re worried about my innocence, don’t.” I spread my hands wide, palms up. “I’m a big girl. And honestly, I’ve been patient. I wasn’t one of those girls that hooked up with randosfor the sake of the experience. I’ve finally met someone who makes me want to . . . I don’t know . . . be less innocent.” I look down at my feet after that confession, feeling a little exposed and surprised by my own frankness. Maybe the buzz is making me bolder because I add, “And I just don’t understand why we stopped.”
Julian’s footsteps thud before his shoes come into my line of vision. His fingertips under my chin draw my gaze up to his. “Is there a third?” His face is so close I feel his breath on my lips, making mine part in anticipation, invitation.
I barely swivel my head side to side to sayno.
“You done?”
I nod, his fingers still under my chin.
He’s nodding too, mirroring me. “Good.” His lips touch mine, softly at first as his hands rush along my cheeks and into my hair, curling around the back of my neck. Pulling me to him, he deepens the kiss, lifting me onto my toes.
I twine my arms around his neck as his slide down to grasp my thighs under my ass and pick me up. I wrap my legs around him, molding my torso to his.
He rains kisses along my jaw, neck and behind my ear. His breath rushes against my ear, sending flutters to my belly and lower. His arms snug around my back, hugging me tightly. His voice is a heated whisper. “I want you, Everly. So much. More than I’ve ever wanted anything.” He kisses the spot in front of my ear before he continues. “How could I not? Don’t ever think I don’t. I just want it to be . . . special. For you.” With a squeezing hug, he sets me on my feet, plants small kisses on my lips, slips my hair behind my ears and draws lazy circles around the shells.
I nod, breathless, resting my forehead on his.
