Page 22
Either way, nothing holds me back from slipping my hand immediately in his.
He holds my hand low behind his back while he leads me off the dock slowly.
All the while, I bite the corner of my lip to keep from letting my smile grow too big.
I don’t dare let my mind wander into a daydream.
This moment with him requires as much clarity as I can muster.
“Are you going to test it for me?” I ask.
“Oh, that definitely won’t hold me.” He pushes down to test the swing then holds the two ropes steady. “But you’ll be fine. I’ll catch you if you fall.”
The night sky is fully dark now, hopefully concealing the blush on my cheeks as I lower onto the board.
I let out a whisper of a squeal when he gently pulls back on the ropes and guides them forward, sending me swaying under the tree branch.
The wind brushes against my cheeks as I soar in the night sky, the lake barely visible in front of me.
Robbie’s steady hands meet me at every downswing, gently pushing me forward again.
Swinging back and forth like this, I feel carefree and exhilarated. A rush of adrenaline surges through me, making even my fingertips feel electric. I haven’t had this much fun in my own backyard in…I don’t even know how long.
He eventually slows the swing to a stop, but when it stills, he doesn’t back away.
His steady frame stands firm against my back like a concrete wall, and I swallow hard as I attempt to compose myself.
Blood pumps through my veins from still- surging adrenaline, and then a shiver runs down my spine at the feel of his breath on the back of my shoulder.
Words sit at the tip of my tongue…so many questions that need to be asked.
Feelings that need to be clarified. But I’m also hyperaware that there’s an anticipation in this moment that feels delicate.
Fleeting. Like it could all be blown away with the wind at the sound of either of our voices.
Instead, I hold my breath, not feeling brave enough to turn around and face him.
The water softly lapping onto shore is the only sound other than the crickets chirping somewhere in front of me. My grip on the ropes tightens when I feel his hand slowly touch my chin. He gently hooks his finger and tilts my face backward in his direction.
The pounding of my heart only intensifies when I follow his guiding hand and meet his stare, which smolders intensely into mine. A million thoughts run through my head as he ever so slowly moves forward.
Is he going to kiss me? He feels this too, right? Is this only for pretend? For show?
His mouth is barely an inch from mine when suddenly I’m desperate to know the truth.
“Is this for Mrs. P.?” I whisper against his lips, asking the question that holds so much weight. “Is she watching?”
His eyes flick to mine with intensity, as if he’s silently probing for an answer—perhaps to the same question I asked him. His brows crease, as if he’s debating the right move, the path he wants to take in this moment.
“No,” he says gruffly with a slight shake of his head. I ponder his answer while he hovers, his proximity making me feel lightheaded and exhilarated in the most overwhelming way.
“What do you want, Naomi?” he whispers quietly. His question brings a smile to my lips, despite the intensity of the moment. Because for once, I know exactly what I want.
“You,” I simply say, a mere millisecond before he crashes his mouth to mine.
I squeeze the ropes as he slides his hand to cradle my jaw.
Just like our brief kiss in the bar, my heart flutters, and my stomach swoons as I mold my lips to his.
Except, this time, there’s an honesty in the way he kisses me, a gentleness that nearly brings tears to my eyes.
I can taste the faintest hint of tequila as he deepens the kiss, and when he curls his fingertips along my jaw, it sends a shiver across my already hypersensitive skin.
When he pulls away, my next breath is bated, as if I’ve forgotten how to breathe. I blink a few times, taking it all in.
“What was that for?” I ask carefully, my voice weak as I lean against one of the ropes, keeping my eyes on him as he hovers close.
“Honestly?” He rolls his lips. “I’ve been obsessing over kissing you since that pathetic attempt at The Squirrely Bear.”
There goes my breath again.
“For real?” I manage to squeak out.
“For real, for real,” he says calmly with a smirk.
“What does that mean, exactly?” My heart pounds wildly in my chest.
“That it’s starting to feel like the only pretending I’m doing is being your friend,” he whispers.
His words warm a place in my chest, sending a rush of butterflies swarming low in my belly.
“For me too.” I nod, unable to stop a bashful smirk from pulling at the corner of my mouth.
“I do have that effect,” he says with a wink. Then he blanches when my fist connects with his stomach.
With a laugh, I straighten on the swing as Robbie pulls it back, holding it steady before letting go.
I fly through the night air, pumping my legs slowly.
As I listen to the crickets chirping, I can’t help but let my mind wonder what our shared confession means now that we’ve spoken it out loud.
And what it all means for us going forward.
Table of Contents
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- Page 18
- Page 19
- Page 20
- Page 21
- Page 22 (Reading here)
- Page 23
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