Page 595 of One More Kiss

We stare at each other. Each of us breathing harshly. “I should probably apologize for doing that.”

She whispers, “Why? Are you sorry?”

My head shakes as I mutter, “Nope. Not at all.”

A small smile flits over her lips, further accentuating her beauty. She laughs lightly, the sound dancing on the air as the wind picks up. “Then don’t apologize, Asher. This is so… unexpected.”

My heart is thundering, my pulse galloping through my veins, invigorating me. As if it feels the same, a loud boom sounds overhead as fat droplets of water rain down on us.

Is this an episode? Or am I genuinely feeling the things I’m feeling?

I am not in a delusion right now. I know it.

This strange yet wonderful scene is actually happening.

Thunder booms overhead as the sky opens up. Grabbing her hand, I turn, not releasing it and grip my guitar, tossing it into the case on the ground and bending to latch it with my free hand. Lifting it by the handle, I whirl, facing her again. Rain is falling quickly now and we’re getting soaked. Kristee is smiling as she watches me. “We need to get out of here. So, what do you want to do now?” I look up at the sky, letting the droplets fall and create rivers on my face. Glancing down at her, I grin. “The rain probably won’t last long, but we’re already drenched. Do you live near here? Want to go change your clothes or are you good with just letting them dry?”

She shakes her head, causing her wet curls to fly around her face, flinging even more water around. She yells to be heard over the storm. “It’ll dry. I’m good.”

Nodding at her again, I yank her and take off at a run, down the slick path from the levee top, past the museum, and to the street. Kristee keeps up, running alongside me as the rain falls, drenching us further. Her eyes are alight with what I can only describe as happiness as we splash in puddles and laugh while the thunder rumbles and lightening cracks above us.

Pointing ahead of us, I yell to be heard over the tumultuous weather. “That’s my car.”

Her eyes widen as she sees my bright Mulsanne Blue’73 Z-28 Camaro. The white racing stripes are reflected in the lightening and the streetlights. The appreciation on her face at my beauty causes my chest to swell in pride.

Reaching the car before her, I drop her hand only to unlock the passenger door, pulling it open. She looks at me before looking at the black leather of the seats and exclaiming, “I can’t get in there, Asher. I’m soaked.”

Laughing at her, I lightly shove her toward the car while shrugging. “It’s leather. It’ll dry. Get your ass in the car, Kristee. I have a blanket in the back. Grab it and use it to dry off some while I toss my guitar in the trunk.”

She still looks undecided. Leaning down, I kiss her quickly again. I can’t seem to stop myself. Her lips instantly soften and begin to part. My own want to cling, but we really are soaked clean through. Leaning back, I touch my nose to hers before bending over and saying into her ear, “Go.”

She ducks and settles onto the seat before turning toward the back as I close the door and race to the trunk, unlocking it and throwing the guitar case in. Spotting the duffel bag I keep in it, I grab it and run to the driver’s side, hopping into the car and slamming the door. The duffel bag is in my lap.

Kristee giggles and I look at her. Water runs down my face and clings to my lashes. Shaking my head, I fling water all over the interior. She squeals while holding her hands out. “Stop… Asher. You’re going to ruin this beautiful car.” She’s laughing though. She’s used the blanket from the backseat to dry her face and remove some of the water from her hair.

Reaching out, she softly presses the soft material to my face, drying some of the rivulets before moving to another spot.

Through the blanket I can feel the warmth of her hand. My throat thickens at her intimate gesture.

Kristee

The way that Asher is looking at me as I move the blanket over his face to dry some of the rain has my heart pounding and my stomach tightening.

What am I doing?

Is this real? Or am I in the middle of a delusion?

There is no way that Asher is real and actually here with me right now.

But I feel his face beneath my hand through the blanket. The heat from his body is almost burning me. Marking me.

This IS real.

“Kristee…” His voice is thick and guttural as he says my name. I can’t tell if it’s a question or a warning.

My hand falls as we stare at each other over the console in the close confines of the car. The summer rainstorm is raging outside but it’s nothing compared to the storm brewing between the two of us.

Our eyes are locked, and I can see the depth of awareness and passion reflecting within his light blue eyes. I know that my own are probably a mirror image of his.

I don’t understand any of this, but I can’t look away.

Asher groans as his hand reaches for me, cupping my cheek. A shiver runs down my spine at the touch of his hand on my skin. Seemingly at the same time, we move. His other hand yanks me to him as I lean over the console. Our lips meet and the spark is instantaneous. I gasp at the complexity of emotions that flood through me with the touch of his mouth on mine. His lip ring is cool against my full lips. His tongue traces the seam of my lips. They part. His tongue sweeps past to brush against mine before he circles it. Our teeth clank together before my head angles. Asher’s hands are on both sides of my face. My hands glide over his forearms before traveling to his shoulders and around his neck. My fingers delving into his hair at the sides of his head.

This kiss is everything.

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