Page 75 of That Conflicted Feeling

Hershoulders shake harder, as the trickle of tears turns into a river.

Andit’s so infectiousIcan’t help but join in. “Sorry,I’mtrying to be sympathetic.Butit’s impossible.”

Shecough-chokes some more, andIrub her back harder as if somehow that might help.

“Okay, now focus.Takea deep breath through your nose.Andthink of something completely not funny.”What’sthe least amusing thingIcan imagine? “Likedead kittens.”

Ithas the exact opposite effect, and she falls onto her side across my lap.Desperateto laugh out loud, but unable to if she wants to keep the precious cake in her mouth, she repeatedly slaps the blanket.

Herbody rocks to and fro across my thighs.Thetip of her nose still decorated with frosting.

It’sthe most crazy-beautiful sightI’veever seen.Herunbridled, uncontrollable joy is as refreshing as a walk in the rain on a hot summer day.

Butalso, she needs to swallow that cake before she chokes on it for real.

“Maybethis will stop the giggles.”Iroll her flat on her back across my legs and lean forward, slowly extending my tongue untilIcan scoop the frosting off the end of her nose.

Shestills instantly.

Theonly movements are the rise and fall of her chest, breathless from the pent-up laughter, and the wafting of her lashes over eyes that are locked with mine.

Shewraps one arm around my waist as her back relaxes onto my lap, and she slowly chews the cake.Finally, and without breaking our gaze, she swallows it.

“Damn.”Isnap my fingers. “Ididn’t quite get it all.”

Restingmy hand on her hip,Ilean back down and make two small, slow circles with my tongue to remove the remainder of the frosting from her nose.

Ipause for a second, my mouth still hovering over her.

Sheslowly brings her hand to her face and points to her lips.

“Theremight be some here too,” she breathes.

“Youknow what?”Isay in a shocked whisper. “Ithink you’re right.”

Hereyes drift shut asIrun my tongue around the outline of her frosting-free lips.

Thefull weight of her head falls back onto my leg as her mouth drops open and her tongue reaches out to connect with mine.

Itsparks a shiver in my chest, a heat in my groin.Avoice in my head awakens, telling meI’mthe luckiest man alive and—regardless of the circumstances that pit us against each other—Imust not fuck this up.

Igently take her top lip between mine, then the lower.Herfingers press into my back asIslide my hand up from her hip and stop just short of her breast.

Shesucks me into her warmth, our lips locked around our stroking tongues.

AsIslide my hand back down over her belly, she makes a quiet whimper.

Ipull back slightly and smile, my lips still against hers.“Doesthat meanI’malmost as pleasurable as the cake?”

Shestrokes my cheek and chuckles. “Itactually means you’re pressing on my belly, andIreally need to pee.”

Istraighten and shake my head. “Seriously?”

Shenods, pushing herself up off my lap.

Ipoint to the other side of the beach. “Howabout over there, behind that bigger rock?”

Herhand flies to her chest and her mouth drops open.Ifshe were wearing pearls, she’d be clutching them. “Oh,I’mnot peeing in public.”