After Lucas pays the bill and we grab our coats, we head outside to walk to our cars. We came separately, which is fine as we need to walk a few minutes together anyhow. Walking down Main Street, we admire the fairy lights that tend to stay up all year as little shop windows have picture perfect displays.
We cross the street, and Lucas stops us on the sidewalk by gently touching my arm. I turn to face him.
“I believe you’re expecting me to blow your mind, which sets the bar high, if I have to be honest.” His eyes glisten and his smile is inviting.
I lick my lips as my own smile forms. “That is true on all counts.”
He moves in by letting his fingers glide through my hair and his other hand finding my cheek. The sensation of his lips coming near awakens my senses. My brain shouts that my dreams are coming true, but my ears are deaf as the only thing my senses can contemplate are his lips touching mine. Slow at first, almost a dusting. Then it becomes firmer. Our mouths re-angle, and it is a gradual exploration. Soft and gentle. My hands cupping his face and his hand cradling my cheek.
Better than all those years ago. Better than any kiss with my ex-husband, and that is a painful realization.
This is different.
It is honey. Sweet and flowing, naturally delicate and steady. In my imagination, this is how every kiss should feel. Warm and enjoyable. Enough to make you want another.
Our tongues meet briefly, and I can taste a mix of wine and crème brulée. Something tells me his tongue is commanding and strong. Maybe I will explore that another day. For now, our focus is on our lips syncing together for a kiss that may have been made in the stars. The kiss we have always wondered about for a different time and place.
We both moan softly as the sound of our mouths moving fill our bubble. No sense of time, but our bodies need air. Gently, we pull away and our lips brush one another for one final tingling on our lips.
I move back and look at him. My face must be pink, and my cheeks feel warm as I beam.
“Still sweet as I remember, but better,” he whispers with his thumb stroking my bottom lip.
“A lot better,” I barely manage to say as I’m a girl who is woozy on lust.
But innately aware that we still have no idea what we’re doing.
Chapter Nine
Lucas
I get a text from Abby that says she’s not cancelling our next date but there has been a change of plans. She’s on call at the clinic and asked if I could come over to her place for a movie. Now I may have been out of the game, but something tells me a movie at her place is a cover for what may actually go down.
My mind recalls her lips. Pure cotton candy. Soft pillows of sugary sweetness. So much better in our thirties than as teenagers. We know how to simmer in a warm kiss to make the other never want to stop.
I thought of bringing a nice bottle of wine, but doctors—whether for humans or animals—do not tend to drink when they are on call. Instead, I bring popcorn and candy. A little old-school, but it works.
When she opens the front door, I see a smiling Abby in jeans and a Ramones t-shirt trying to hold back an excited Labrador.
“Hey,” I smile and kiss her cheek.
“Hey there.” She smiles and guides me in. Her place is modern and open. Enough space not to feel small.
“Can I get you something to drink? I’m sticking to tea, but feel free to have a beer. I’m sorry again. My colleague is sick, and today someone’s beagle decided they may want to go into labor, meanwhile a horse has an infected foot. I may get a call to leave.”
I finish taking off my coat and put it on a hook next to her door before walking in farther. Abby is busy in the kitchen.
“Tea sounds good. No need to apologize. I get it,” I assure her.
Abby grabs a treat for Romeo, so he settles down. “The remote should be by the sofa. Have a look. I’m not choosey, but you may get bonus points if you choose a Leonardo DiCaprio film.”
Oh, so maybe it really is a movie at her place.
I look for the remote, rather awkwardly. Next thing I know she is next to me with a mug of tea for me.
“You okay there? You seem a little rustled.” She gives me an entertained grin.
“Yeah. Just thinking about movie options.”
She laughs. “Riiight.” She flops on the couch. The dog comes to lie next to her, and I also join her on the sofa.
She takes Romeo by the collar and drags him off the sofa, and he goes to lie with a toy in the corner.
“Okay, The Departed? That’s a good one,” I mention, and she nods.
“A long movie.”
“Is that a problem?” I give her a look, which makes her smile.
“No. Just means you need to stay here longer,” she counters.
“Already trying to get rid of me?”
“Nah. But I should make it clear that you will be going home tonight,” she reminds me, and in truth I don’t mind.
“That’s okay. Your dog is giving me murder eyes anyhow,” I confirm.
Within minutes, we have popcorn made, a movie on, and we find comfortable sitting positions on the couch. My arm goes around her to pull her in. I’m ready for a classic cuddle session. The kind where you are more occupied with where your fingers may go or how you can hug tighter. So occupied with who is in your arms that you don’t care who is on the screen.
Abby’s sparkly eyes peer up to me and she nibbles her lip. “Can I cash in on my rain check from the other night?”
Why yes she can.
“Great idea.” I move in and our lips meet for a sweet and tender kiss. But soon we want to kiss deeper and her hands grab the fabric of my shirt at my chest.
Woof woof
We both pull away reluctantly and look at Romeo who is sitting in front of us with tail wagging and staring at us.
“Shhh,” Abby speaks to the dog, and we go back to making out like two teenagers in a basement.
Woof woof
Again. We both pull away.
“Someone is protective,” I comment amused.
Abby laughs. “I never even thought about this. He’s never seen a guy here like this, I mean.”
Like a cave man, territorial, I love that confirmation from her. I’m the first.
“Is he like jealous? Or wants to join in? Both options are deeply concerning to me,” I say sarcastically.
“Maybe he just needs to get used to you a few more minutes. Let’s watch some more of the movie before we give him a show,” she suggests.
Christ, this dog became our chaperone.
But I oblige. We go back to cuddling, but soon the Lab jumps up on the sofa to sit between us.
He is officially blocking me out from any action PG-rated or higher. Abby starts laughing hysterically.
“I’m happy you find this amusing, but is this going to be like a real problem?” I have to ask.
“I don’t know. He does sleep in my bed.” This idea makes her laugh even harder.
“Oh no. No! He is not sleeping in bed if I’m here.”
“You’re optimistic,” she snipes, but she just laughs more as she goes to get treats.
A few seconds later she returns and hands me the treats. “Bond with him,” she requests yet she’s trying to contain her laughter.
Taking the treats, I begin to offer one to the guy who I need to make my ally. The guy is responsive. So much so that we manage to get him to settle on the end of the sofa. But he spreads out like he owns the piece of furniture. This time, I can thank the mutt as it just means Abby and I need to move tightly together.