Page 215 of One More Kiss

Chapter14

Johnny

I spenta while chatting with Danny, thankful to be home with my son. He didn’t ask many questions about CJ, but I had been telling him about her for days. I went back upstairs after a while, and she was fast asleep.

I stripped down to my boxer-briefs and slipped into bed, draping my arm over her then gently pulling her against me. She was warm and soft. I hadn’t slept as good as I did with her in years.

When I woke up to an empty bed, I panicked. It was barely daylight, but I heard something in the kitchen. Danny wouldn’t be up that early, so I flew from the bed and ran downstairs.

She turned when I went bounding down the stairs and my heart sank when I noticed her bag next to her feet.

“CJ,” I said as I closed the space between us. “What are you doing?”

She put the coffee cup down. “Having coffee.”

My lips thinned and my hands flew to my hips. I nodded to the luggage.

“I need to go home, Johnny.”

“So, you were gonna sneak away?”

“I just didn’t want to wake you up.”

“Bull shit.”

She licked her lip then looked down, sweeping her toe side to side. “Johnny, I really like you. But I live in the real world. With real responsibilities. Real problems.” She looked back up and sighed. “I can’t just pretend none of that exists and hide out in the woods with you forever.”

“Why? So, you can go back an apartment you’re not emotionally attached to? Where you can’t even keep your dog? And a shitty job?” I grabbed her shoulders and looked into her eyes. “This doesn’t have to be complicated.”

Her eyes glistened as they searched mine. For a minute I thought she was going to agree to stay. But when she looked down again, I knew.

“Johnny, this doesn’t have to be the end. You said it yourself before, we have phones, you have a vehicle.” She reached for my wrists. I wanted to pull them away, but I let her wrap her hands around them.

“You’re right. But my offer stands.” I wrapped my arms around her and pulled her close. “Get home safely.” I kissed her hard, squeezing her round hips. “Where’s your phone?”

She pulled her phone from her purse, and I told her to text me and save my number. I heard my phone beep and she promised to call me once she was home.

“I want to see you again soon, CJ.”

She pressed her palms to my chest and looked up through her lashes. “You will. Because I want to see you again, too.” She stood on her toes and craned her neck, so I leaned down and kissed again, cupping her face in my hands.

“Okay, I need to go. I text my boss I would heading back and have to get to work once I get back. But I’ll call you when I get there. I promise.”

I walked her to the dark SUV she drove and took her bag out for her. Why was this so damn hard? I just met this woman.

I swallowed down the lump in my throat and kissed her one more time before she climbed in the driver’s seat. “Don’t forget to call when you get there, okay?”

She nodded, and with the sunlight peeking through the trees, I saw her eyes sparkle. I cupped her jaw and she blinked, sending a lone tear down her cheek. I wiped it away with my thumb and clenched my jaw.

“God, this is so crazy. I’m just exhausted. So freaking embarrassing.”

“You have no reason to be embarrassed. I just wish I could talk you into staying since clearly you don’t want to go.”

She shook her head and wiped her face. “I’ll talk to you tonight and we can plan for you to come see me soon, okay?” She grabbed my hand and squeezed.

I sighed. “Yes ma’am. No go before I yank you out of the car.” Stepping back, I pushed the door closed and then moved away so she could turn around and pull down the driveway straight on.

I stood near the stairs, in nothing but slippers and boxer-briefs until I couldn’t hear the gravel anymore.

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