Page 27 of Holiday on the Rocks
He did a spin. “Clearly you found me irresistible.”
“I did not.” I was glad he couldn’t see the crimson that came to my cheeks.
“Those kisses said different.”
My words hopped on a train and bolted after the turkeys. I wanted to say he was wrong, but he wasn’t.
“Here’s how this is going to go. You are going to do what I say, and I’m going to guide you down. You ready?”
I nodded.
“Under your right foot is a sturdy branch. I want you to reach your foot down until you feel it. It’s about a ten inches below you.”
I slid down and got my foot on the branch.
“Good girl. Now turn around and hold the branch you were just sitting on.”
I followed directions while his deep toned good girl gave me a tummy flip.
“Nice. Now lower your left foot about ten inches and you’ll feel another branch.”
I held on for dear life and found the branch, but when I stepped on it there was a crack, and I pulled my foot back.
“Okay, we’re going to go for the one just below that one.”
I yelled. “Raise your hand if you’re sick of this shit.”
“Just do it.”
“Don’t be getting all bossy.”
“You like a little bossy.”
“Shut up. Don’t flip my bitch switch, I warning you now.”
I followed his directions and a few moments later I could see I was getting close.
“Alright, you’re out of branches and probably don’t want to fall six feet, so slowly turn yourself around, and I’ll do the rest.”
Memories of him doing the rest ran rampant and brought more heat to my face. I turned and saw his arms up as my feet slid down. His hands had my upper thighs then my waist, and a second later my body slid over his chest and my wobbly feet were on solid ground.
As I stared at his chest I realized his hands were still holding my waist. My breath hitched in my throat, and I knew if I looked up he’d read me like a book and know the effect he still had on me. I didn’t want him to see that one look could wreck me. That the sound of his voice still awoke butterflies.
“Well, thank you.” I spoke to his chest as we stood frozen. I took a small step backwards, but he didn’t release me, and I didn’t know how I felt about that.
My eyes climbed up his muscular chest, past his perfect jaw line to those eyes that were intense, and I was suddenly shaking a little. I gulped air as his eyes bore into me, and I didn’t know if I wanted to whip off my shirt and rub against him like a cat, or haul ass into the forest to disappear to never been seen again.
“Hi.”
My stomach fell to my feet when his eyes dropped to my lips. Was he going to kiss me? His eyelids drooped as his pupils flared. I knew I should step away, but also knew a stick of dynamite wouldn’t have moved me from the place I stood. His eyes were asking permission, and I had no freaking clue what my eyes were saying back, but his hand went to the back of my neck as he closed the distance between us. We were just an inch apart and leaning in and the sides of our noses touched, and I felt his breath on my mouth.
This is so bad, step away!
My pulse spiked as he leaned closer and brushed his lips against mine. Once, twice, as my eyes closed, and I wanted his mouth on mine more than anything I’d ever wanted. Even chilled Dove chocolate. It was the wrongest of all wrongs, but he was my kryptonite. My brain had always been strong, but feeling his breath on my face was still a high; a euphoric state that sent a low hum throughout my body.
His smell, those eyes, and his hands on me were what I’d missed for seven years. But there I was, in a quiet snow-covered forest next to the house that would only contain us until the others arrived. Visions of his fingers sliding across my skin, the way his touch left me willing to give up anything for it to continue. I suddenly realized I had a hold of his jacket. A firm hold as if I was afraid, he’d step away from me.
My brain came to life as it hit me that things could happen here. Things could happen!
