Page 16 of Fixing Hearts

“Run,” Jo yelled, taking her hand. They took off, feet kicking up sand as they sprinted toward the car, laughter bubbling out of Evelyn despite the chill.

The rain became a downpour, drenching them within moments, soaking through Evelyn’s hair and Jo’s T-shirt.

By the time they reached the car, they were both breathless.

Jo fumbled with the keys, cursing as she yanked open the door.

Evelyn dove into the passenger seat, shivering as water dripped from her hair, her chest rising and falling rapidly.

Jo raced around the front of the car before sliding in, slamming the door shut as the rain pounded against the roof.

For a moment, neither of them spoke. They were both soaked, breathing hard, the air thick with something that had nothing to do with the storm outside.

Evelyn turned her head slowly, meeting Jo’s gaze.

Jo was looking at her like she wanted to say something.

Or do something , Evelyn thought as her lips parted.

The rain continued to fall, the world outside blurred and distant.

Inside the car, everything felt impossibly close, and this time, neither of them moved away.

The rain drummed steadily against the roof of the GTO, blurring the outside world into streaks of gray and silver.

Jo’s breath was still uneven, her pulse thrumming in her ears as she sat there, soaked, staring at Evelyn.

The woman was a mess in the best possible way.

Her hair clung to her face in damp strands, and she had pulled the wet leather coat around her.

Her lips were parted slightly, her chest rising and falling as she tried to catch her breath.

Jo swallowed hard as she flicked her gaze toward the parking lot.

The other cars were gone. We’re alone , she thought.

It’s just us . The realization sent something electric down Jo’s spine.

Her entire body tensed with the need to close the space between them.

She realized she had been holding back since she first laid eyes on Evelyn in Sapphire two nights ago, second-guessing herself in a way she never did.

Even at her home, when the kisses had been red-hot, Jo had restrained herself, a part of her wanting to take it slowly for once.

But now, with Evelyn looking at her like she was waiting, like she wanted everything as much as Jo did, there was no room for hesitation.

She leaned in slowly, enough to give Evelyn the chance to pull away if she wanted to.

She didn’t. Instead, Evelyn met her halfway, and Jo could swear her heart was about to beat out of her chest.

Their lips brushed, soft at first, tentative.

A slow inhale, the taste of rain, and something warm and sweet.

Then Evelyn made a small sound, barely more than a sigh, but it was enough to unravel Jo completely.

She deepened the kiss. Evelyn responded immediately, her fingers gripping the front of Jo’s wet shirt, pulling her closer, like she didn’t want an inch of space between them.

Jo groaned softly against her mouth. She tilted her head, tasting more of her, letting the heat coil between them.

Evelyn wasn’t shy, wasn’t tentative. She kissed Jo like she had been waiting for it, like she had been holding back just as much.

Instinctively, Jo’s hand slipped inside the leather jacket, tracing the shape of Evelyn’s waist, memorizing every curve.

Evelyn shivered under her touch, pressing closer.

Jo exhaled sharply. She wanted more. She wanted to pull Evelyn into her lap, to explore every inch of her, to lose herself in the warmth of her body and the way she tasted like vanilla and salt and something entirely different.

Something Jo was sure was entirely Evelyn.

Yet, when Jo’s hand slid down Evelyn’s thigh, wandering toward the hem of her dress, Evelyn slowed.

Her hands, once urgent, softened against Jo’s chest. Jo felt it immediately, the shift in energy, the hesitation creeping in.

She pulled back. “Are you okay?” she murmured, voice rough with restraint.

Evelyn nodded, but Jo saw the uncertainty flickering in her eyes. “Yeah,” she whispered. “I just don’t want to go any further. Not yet. I’m sorry.”

Jo exhaled, expecting to feel frustration, but instead, there was something peaceful settling inside her. She brushed a damp strand of hair back from Evelyn’s face, her touch lingering. “Don’t be sorry,” she said softly. “We don’t have to rush anything. I promise.”

“Thank you,” Evelyn said, her lips curving into a small, grateful smile. “Next time, maybe?”

Jo pressed a final, lingering kiss to her forehead before pulling back completely, settling into her seat.

She reached for the keys, and the car rumbled to life beneath them.

“That’s good enough for me. Let’s get you home,” Jo said, casting one last glance at Evelyn, who still looked slightly dazed, her fingers touching her lips as if memorizing the moment.

Smiling to herself, Jo pulled out of the parking lot.

Yeah , she thought. Evelyn was definitely worth taking it slow .