It’s past time you allowed yourself some fun, Hunt had told him, too.
“What’s your favorite kind of cake?” Kennedy asked, the intrusion on his thoughts welcome.
“I’m more of a pie guy.”
“What’s your favorite pie?”
“Apple.”
“I had a feeling you’d say that. You seem like a traditional guy. I bet you like it cold without any ice cream.”
She was right. He shrugged. “What’s your favorite?”
“I’m a cake girl all the way. White cake with buttercream frosting.”
“A traditional cake girl,” he said.
Their eyes met. “Yeah, I guess I am.” A raindrop plopped onto her cheek. Then another. “Uh-oh.”
In the time it took to blink, sheets of rain started to pour down on them. He took her hand and ran for quick cover. The bright lights of the inn shimmered too far away, so he aimed for the giant weeping willow at the foot of the property. Most storms this time of year lasted all of ten minutes, so they could wait it out there. There was nothing like getting stuck in a rainstorm on a warm summer night, and he imagined it a first for Kennedy.
She kept up with his pace without complaint, not an easy feat in her boots. The boots and her knee-length sundress were a killer combination. One he’d tried to ignore, but now the dress stuck to her body, outlining every gorgeous curve. He refocused back on the sidewalk in front of them, fearing he might trip over his own feet.
They reached the tree slightly out of breath, humidity making it harder to take in oxygen. Or maybe that was just him and his reaction to her.
Under the canopy of the willow, they caught their breath. She put a hand on the tree trunk for support, and he couldn’t help himself—he looked her up and down, lingering on the material clinging to her thighs, her breasts. He didn’t even care that she caught him blatantly checking her out.
Drenched from head to toe, she looked magnificent.
And when she returned the favor, her gaze remaining on his chest and abs before taking a leisurely stroll back up to his face, he’d had enough. He couldn’t think straight around her and he didn’t want to.
All he wanted was to be closer to her.
She stood on a wide, thick tree root, placing them at similar heights. He erased the space between them slowly but surely, giving her time to retreat. She didn’t. Not even a little. Instead, she slicked her wet hair away from her face and twisted so that she leaned back against the tree, her arms spread against the trunk behind her.
An invitation.
Encouragement.
Temptation he could no longer deny himself.
He caged her in with his body, one hand going to her waist, the other to her chin to tip her face up exactly where he wanted it. Their first kiss had been tentative. Their second kiss would leave no doubt as to how much he desired her. He might never admit it, but he could show her…
Hidden under the pendulous branches of the weeping willow while the sound of the rain trilled its sweet yet powerful tune, he could show her how much he craved her.
“Mav,” she whispered. She’d never called him by his nickname before.
His blood pounded at the tender sound of her voice, at the confirmation that she wanted him, too. Knowing that whatever he felt she echoed demolished any doubt about what he planned to do.
“Kennedy,” he whispered back. There was more to say. Things like, You’re beautiful. You make me forget everything around me. I’m sorry for treating you like I did in college. But there was no point. They had right now. A couple more days. And then they’d never see each other again.
“Kiss me,” she said.
He slid two fingers to her mouth, gently rubbed them across her soft, full lower lip, parting the top from the bottom and bringing a sigh from her he felt all the way down to his toes. He’d never heard anything sweeter.
With her eyes locked on his, he traced her cheek next, the tips of his fingers tingling from the gentle contact. One second passed. Two. And then his lips descended on hers like she was the only thing to satiate his desire. His need. He lightly bit her bottom lip, tugged and teased, before sliding his tongue inside her mouth.
As expected, their tongues dueled for dominance, for control, for the freedom to finally let go and surrender to each other. This kiss was unlike any other he’d ever experienced. Openmouthed. Powerful. Unforgettable. Rain fell around them in sheets, and he hoped it never let up.
Tomorrow he’d blame the weather.
Tonight he’d forget there was a tomorrow. The only thing that mattered to him right now was Kennedy and her mind-blowing kiss.
Her hands slid up his pecs and over his shoulders. He cupped the back of her head. Her body pressed against his and then she jumped up, wrapping her legs around his waist. He somehow managed to keep his balance as he wrapped an arm around her and stepped back onto even ground. The new position left them exposed to the rain.
They didn’t care.
They kissed until the rain stopped.
As if the time limit on their make-out session expired the second the rain did, Kennedy lifted her head, unlocked her legs, and slid down his body, righting the skirt of her dress once her boots hit the ground.
His heart pounded, and for some reason, he wanted her to know that. He took her hand and placed her palm on his chest. Water droplets clung to her eyelashes. Her honeycomb irises glittered.
She took his hand and placed his palm on her chest. Their heartbeats were in sync. A perfect yet flawed rhythm. They stood like that, frozen in time, in their own heads. Staring. Back to playing one of their favorite games.
Maverick looked away first.
By unspoken agreement, they resumed walking toward the inn as if that kiss hadn’t just rocked their world. It happened, but whatever thoughts they might have on the matter were to be kept private.
He was fine with that. Appreciated it.
“What are you doing tomorrow?” he asked, running his fingers through his wet hair to comb it off his forehead.
She fanned her dress away from her stomach. “No plans that I know of. Except…”
“Except what?”
“I got the interview in Boston. It’s on Tuesday, and I thought I might do some research on the hospital so I’m more than prepared for anything they might throw at me.”
His heart took a little beating at the news. He’d…miss her. Ridiculous, given she was leaving the ranch regardless of the job. “Congratulations.”
“Thanks. I’m beyond excited.”
“I’m happy for you, Shortcake.”
“Okay, that’s enough,” she chided good-naturedly. “I can’t take any more irresistible Maverick tonight. What’s going on tomorrow?”