Page 10 of Hooking the Captain
I shook my head, looking down at the asphalt beneath my feet, and not asking whatthiswas because I knew by his tone.
“I know we just met, but I have to tell you I know exactly how you feel.”
My head snapped up. “You do?”
“Conversation for another time.” He gave a tight smile.
I nodded. “Okay.”
“But Coop?”
“Yeah?”
“I want to kiss you.”
We stared at each other, and then I glanced over my shoulder to make sure no one was hanging out in the parking lot. Could I do it? Let a guy I just met be my first kiss? Potentially have someone I knew see me? But I wanted it. I was tired of letting opportunities slip by.
The parking lot was dark enough that I felt comfortable whispering, “Okay.”
He grabbed my hand and led me to the other side of the car and away from the direct view of the bar. The streetlights were less prominent, and before I realized it, Ford backed me up against the side of his BMW.
At that moment, time seemed to slow down. His hand gently cupped my cheek as he leaned in and brushed his lips against mine. They were soft and warm, and the kiss was tentative at first, but as the seconds passed, our lips melded together in a slow, passionate dance.
His touch was electrifying, sending shivers down my spine, and my heart raced in my chest. I wrapped my arms around him, pulling him closer. His fingers tangled in my hair, his kiss deepened, and he became more confident.
The world faded away, and all that existed was our lips moving against the other. I’d never imagined my first kiss would be like this: filled with desire, understanding, and a shared sense of vulnerability.
When we finally pulled apart, our panting breaths mingled in the crisp summer night air.
“Wow,” he murmured, his voice barely audible.
“Yeah,” I replied, my speech equally soft and my heart still racing.
We stood there for a moment, neither of us knowing what to say next.
“Text me tomorrow?” Ford finally asked, his thumb gently brushing my cheek.
I nodded, a smile tugging at the corners of my lips. “I will.”
With one last lingering look, he pressed another soft kiss to my lips before pulling away. He opened the car door but hesitated, his gaze never leaving mine. Then, he winked and got into his car. I stood there as he drove away, my heart racing and my mind buzzing with the possibilities of what the future might hold. I’d broken the ice with a guy, which led to a kiss that left me feeling as though maybe I could do it again.
As I walked to my truck, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of excitement and anticipation. Whatever was happening between Ford and me, I was ready to explore it, to see where the unexpected connection might lead. And as I drove to my parents’ place, I couldn’t wipe the smile off my face, knowing I had finally taken a chance.
3
FORD
The soundof a notification on my phone woke me, and I rubbed my eyes before reaching over to grab it, seeing that it was a text message.
Hey! It’s Coop. I realized I didn’t give you my number last night. Are you still up for hiking today?
A smile spread across my face as I thought about the night before. I’d gone to the Thirsty Cow for a drink, hoping to catch the Red Sox game, and ended up hanging out withtheEmmett Cooper. I felt a little bad for not telling him I knew who he was. I’d actually recognized him from when he had participated in a charity event for my fraternity a couple of months earlier, but something about the way he’d introduced himself told me he would rather be treated like a regular guy rather than a famous hockey player. That was fine by me because explaining how I knew him would likely lead to a conversation about things that included Tyler, and I wanted to avoid the topic of my ex.
Absolutely. What time are you thinking?
Does 11 work?
I checked the time and saw it was just after eight. Why was he up so early?
