Page 56 of Forever Fickle

Karen melted into the emotions that she had been holding back within her, that last bastion of fear collapsing at his encouraging, gentle words. Whatever had held her back crumbled.

There was no longer this inane fear causing her to hesitate and try to make things perfect for him or win him over, because deep in her soul she knew that whatever happened, was only the start of something beautiful.

She pressed her lips to his, feeling his mouth open under hers as he responded to her tentative kiss. That’s when the magic happened – and there was no other way to describe it.

The world seemed to melt away.

It wasn’t Karen sitting in a chair or Jace kneeling before her, she literally couldn’t see anything around them, nor did she notice a separation between the two.

Instead, she ‘felt’ him – as crazy as that sounded – she could sense him there, his soul, with hers. It was as if the two of them had merged, melting together, there in that single moment of innocent affection.

Moments passed, and she was lost in that single kiss, only to feel them slowly separate… feeling the withdrawal almost physically between them as she ‘floated’ back to herself.

Karen slowly opened her eyes and saw his smile first as he looked at her. She took inventory of herself, realizing their hands were laced together and she was on her knees in almost a mirror image of his position. She sat back weakly on her feet, looking at him.

“That… was incredible,” Jace breathed, his voice almost reverent.

“I’ve never been kissed like that before,” she mumbled, flushing brightly, and seeing his smile widen proudly.

“Neither have I,” he admitted openly. “I love that we have this between us.”

“I guess the chase is over now, isn’t it,” Karen hedged, feeling almost raw in her turbulent feelings within her. She was full of insecurity, awe, hope, fear, and genuinely felt the stirrings of something greater.

Love.

She didn’t mean to be that way, to sound bitter or negative, but a part of her couldn’t resist asking… only to have him pull her hand to his lips as he gently kissed her palm, looking at her.

“My lovely Tink,” he said softly, “… the chase has only just begun.”

CHAPTER15

HOT CAKES

Sunday

Jace lay there on the couch holding Karen in sheer disbelief as he watched her sleep. The sweep of her lashes was a dark brown, almost like seeing a feather against her skin. She was so relaxed, looked so peaceful, and every once in a while she would frown slightly or the side of her lip would curl up indicating that her dreams were happy.

These moments would stay with him forever.

They’d stayed up late again, talking, and watching television together… and this felt like home, he realized, because she was there.

She was a miracle to him.

From that very first glare to that shy hesitant smile, everything about her was enchanting and he was completely smitten. Their talks last night had been strange, openly candid, and so very necessary between them. He loved that they could talk about anything between them.

That was how he ended up here, where he was now.

“I guess I should drive you back to Flyboys,” she said quietly, looking almost disappointed as they sat beside each other on the couch. Jace had their fingers linked together, tracing her fingers, and had been nuzzling her ear, needing to breathe in her scent.

“Why?”

“Because you’ll need to change, get some sleep, and I know you’ll need to pack your things tomorrow.”

“But I planned on seeing you tomorrow and packing at the very last minute,” Jace countered, dropping a soft kiss on the shell of her ear. “And truthfully, I’d be decent if you had some running shorts here.”

“What do you mean?”

“Karen, I’m going to have to say ‘goodbye’ soon enough… and I’d prefer not to leave. I’m not going to do anything to dishonor you or make you think ill of me – but I’d love to stay and just hold you again.”

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