Page 29 of Chasing Wildflowers
Heat blooms from my center. “I want you to fuck me,” I murmur, my voice breathy.
He tucks a strand of hair behind my ear, chuckling low and dark. “Don't worry, baby, I plan on fucking you, just not tonight.” His fingers trail down the side of my neck, leaving heat in their wake. “Go on another date with me, Lane.”
I want to say yes, but hesitation claws at me, fear threatening to smother the desire.
He senses it. His hand comes back up to cup the side of my face, voice softening. “It’s just another date, Lane. Just like tonight. Nothing to be afraid of.”
I chew my bottom lip. That’s easy for him to say. He’s probably never been hurt by someone who was supposed to protect him.
“How about this? We take it one date at a time. No rush, no expectations.”
“Okay,” I breathe out. I wait for the panic to creep in. It doesn’t come.
He leans in, his lips brushing softly against mine. He lingers a beat before pulling back. “I’ll call you tomorrow.”
He pulls away, hand slipping from my face, and I miss the warmth immediately. I lean against the door frame, eyes trailing him as he crosses the gravel path and slides into his truck. He drives off, taillights disappearing into the quiet night.
Reluctantly, I tear my eyes from the now empty street and walk inside.
“Tell me everything!”
Kam’s voice explodes out of the dark, and I stumble back, slamming into the door. “Jesus Christ, Kam!” I snap. “Are you trying to give me a heart attack?”
Kam emerges from the living room, and I make a mental note to start leaving every light in the house on. She cocks her head to the side, looking at me as if I’m the crazy one in this situation. “Did you really think I wouldn’t be here waiting to heareverydetail?”
I give her a pointed look. “I’m taking your key back,” I mutter and head to the kitchen, suddenly in desperate need of a very large glass of wine.
She follows, sliding into a stool at the island as I pull a wine glass down from the cabinet. “Lane, it’s your first date in forever. I just wanted to make sure it went well and be here in case you needed me. I may have gotten overly excited when I saw him kissing you within an inch of your life. But truly, I’m here because I’m your best friend and I just wanted to make sure you were okay.”
I exhale, pulling down a second wine glass, setting them on the island with a soft clink. “It was a pretty great kiss,” I admit, unable to fight the grin that spreads across my face.
“TELL. ME. EVERYTHING!” she squeals, practically bouncing out of her seat as I slip onto the stool beside her and pour us each a glass that’s well above the recommended serving size.
I lean forward, elbows on the counter, voice dripping with excitement. “He took me ax-throwing.”
Kam sips her wine, lips pursed. “We were supposed to do that,” she whines
I cock my head, giving her a look. “Kam, we were never going to go ax-throwing. Just like we were never going to learn archery. Neither of us has any hand-eye coordination. I proved that tonight.”
I recount the entire date, from the bet to the stolen kisses, to the heated glances and teasing banter. It’s easy to open up with Kam. I feel like someone finally seesme, not just the armor I’ve built to survive.
When I’m finished she gives me a teasing grin. “Look at you, saucy minx. Making a wager to kiss him.”
I roll my eyes, taking a sip to cover my grin. “I was just trying to get him to let me pay him back.”
“The lipstick smeared around your mouth says otherwise,” she smirks pointing at my mouth.
Damn it. I forgot about that. I set my wine down, and grab a paper towel, wiping my mouth clean. “Thanks for telling me sooner,” I mutter sarcastically.
She sits back, crossing her legs, completely at ease. Wine glass dangling from her hand. “So why aren’tyou and Jameson currently naked and tangled in your sheets?”
I cross my arms, eyes narrowing. “What would you have done if hehadcome in?”
She lifts a shoulder. “Gone out the back door.”
“I’m a little terrified you had an exit strategy in place.”
She rolls her eyes. “Oh, please. With the way you two were going at it on the porch, I could have walked out the front door, and you wouldn’t have noticed me. Which brings us back to the question of why you are alone.”
