“I’m not stalling.” She shook her head. “I just don’t have to prove anything to you either.”
“You’re the one who said I didn’t know what you were thinking, and I just proved to you that I do. Like right now, you’re thinking how much you want me to kiss you, but you’re worried I’m going to know that it’s your first kiss by the way your lips move with mine, so I’ll ease your mind since I’m a gentleman, and tell you that all you have to do is follow my lead. I’ll do all the work.” I winked. “You’re welcome.”
“Ugh! You’re unbelievable. You know that?”
“Oh, I know. I’m especially unbelievable at kissing, which you’re about to find out for yourself, Kins.”
“Kins? You have a nickname for me now?”
“Would you prefer I call you sweetness?”
She arched an eyebrow. “Sweetness?”
“Yeah, I know you’re going to taste as sweet as you look.”
“Dude! You just have a witty comeback for everything, huh?”
“What can I say, pretty girl? You bring out the best in me.”
She smiled, a real smile that time as she tucked her hair behind her ear. I instantly reached over and pulled it out to tug on the ends of it, letting my fingertips graze her cheek.
“Is this one of your moves?”
“Do you want it to be?”
“I have no interest in being another one of your girls.”
I grinned. “Jealous?”
“You wish. I’m not one of your cheerleaders.”
With a hard edge, I replied, “That you aren’t.”
“Why do you want to kiss me anyway?”
“Can’t a friend just help out another friend?”
“We’re friends now? When did that happen? I don’t even like you.”
Calling her bluff, I narrowed my eyes at her. “That really hurts, Kins.”
“You’re so full of it.”
“And you’re beautiful.”
“I don’t know if I should be offended or flattered that you’re hitting on me.”
“If I had to choose, I’d prefer the latter.”
“Well then, thank God you don’t.”
“That sassy little mouth of yours is really fucking cute.”
She was gorgeous. The girl didn’t even have to try. She was naturally stunning. I just stood there in awe of her. There was something about the way she was looking at me that truly had my mind reeling with what her lips would feel like against mine.
“I guess letting you kiss me could be like a thank you for saving me.”
“I didn’t save you. I protected you.”
“What’s the difference?”
“You don’t need saving, Kinley. You’re a survivor all on your own.”
Her face paled, understanding I knew more than she assumed I would. I didn’t know what was worse. Her pretending like she didn’t want me to kiss her, or her wanting me to. I couldn’t help noticing the look in her eyes. They spoke volumes, roping me in, taking hold of my mind, and not letting go. I was so fucking conflicted. The effect she was having on me, and we’d only just spoken for the first time.
What was happening?
As if reading my mind, she changed the subject. “Frank’s going to talk shit. You know that, right?”
“Good. Let him run his mouth. It will keep other fuckers away from you too.”
“But not you?”
Unable to hold back any longer, I coaxed, “I’m going to kiss you now, Kinley.”
I waited a couple of seconds for her to object, and when she didn’t, I leaned forward, closing the small distance between us. Wanting to touch her skin, my hands reached up and grabbed ahold of her cheeks. The smell of her assaulted my senses as I softly claimed her lips, laying my mouth right on hers. Her eyes tightly shut, her breathing hitched, and her arms fell to her sides. Right from the start, I could tell she had no idea what she was doing.
Her lips were smooth against mine, and I could feel her heart drumming so fucking fast against my chest. The desire to ruin her for every other guy was as real as the feelings I was experiencing toward her.
Slowly, I parted my lips, pulling her in closer, and she followed my lead, matching the same rhythm I’d set. My tongue touched her lips before she did the same, leaving the craziest sensation in her wake. I pulled back my tongue, and she understood what I wanted, what I sought. She gently slid hers into my eager mouth.
My tongue did the same as hers, turning this kiss into something more than I thought it would be.
I was losing myself in her.
From her lips to her eyes, to the sounds she was making.
Words couldn’t describe what was happening at that moment between us. The feelings she stirred with each stroke of our tongues. Feelings I didn’t think were possible to experience. That I didn’t even think existed.
I didn’t want to stop kissing her.
It was surreal.
Consuming.
And I wanted more.
When another soft moan escaped her mouth, I pecked her lips one last time before gradually pulling away. Already missing her touch. Incoherent thoughts ran rapidly through my mind.
I was grinning down at her as her eyes fluttered open, not removing my hands from the sides of her face. My infatuated stare hadn’t changed—if anything it was worse.
Murmuring against her lips, I rasped, “Like I said, you’ve never been kissed until now. Until me.”
Her chest was rising and falling, as she waited for what I would say next. Surprising us both when I added…
“What other first of yours can I have next?”
Chapter 3
Kinley
Now
It had been six months since Julian and Autumn’s wedding, and I couldn’t believe how fast time was slipping by. I felt awful for ruining their wedding, even though they claimed we didn’t.
Christian and I didn’t know they were in the barn and overheard our fight. The embarrassment I felt when they confronted us seconds after Christian kissed me was an emotion that still lingered in my mind.
“Oh my God! You guys are getting a divorce?” Autumn exclaimed, rushing toward us.
Our shocked expressions snapped to her worried gaze with Julian right behind her. He was calmer and more collected which didn’t surprise me. They’d spent years hooking up behind everyone’s back, including her brother’s, until Julian had to leave town. He couldn’t continue to lie to a family that had taken him in as if he were their own.
Ten years later, they made their way back to each other, and now they were married. Their special day was now ruined because of us, making me feel horrible that this was what they would remember in the years to come.
“Guys, please go back to your reception. We can talk about this later,” I reasoned, hoping they’d listen.
“No, we can talk about this now,” Autumn persisted. “How long has this been going on?”
“Long enough to know we’re not right for each other anymore.” I looked at Christian for support on this, but it was evident by his composure he wasn’t going to give me an inch.