Page 41 of Darn Knit All
A knocking on my door interrupted us. We both jumped, springing apart as if we were teenagers caught making out on his parents’ couch.
“Let us in!” Annie called from the other side. “We have wine!”
I closed my eyes, uncertain if I was grateful or annoyed by the interruption.
“Coming,” I called. “Sorry, it’s Red and Read night.”
“Ah.” Theo pushed up to a stand, then leaned down to help me stand. “I understand.”
I walked with him to the door, trying to process the weird mix of disappointment and relief that the girls’ interruption had stirred.
Theo put his hand to the doorknob, then paused.
“Fuck it,” he murmured.
I opened my mouth to ask what he meant when he spun. His fingers wrapped around my elbow, drawing me in.
“Just once,” he said, his voice strained. “Just to break the ice.”
My breath hitched when his hand found the small of my back, drawing me close until our faces were inches apart.
“Ready?” he asked, searching my gaze.
“I….” I swallowed, my heart pounding so loud I was sure he could hear it. “I think so?”
“Say no.” His lips tilted into a grin. “Or kiss me on the count of three. Ready? One.”
“Two,” I spluttered.
“Three.”
His head dipped and paused a hairsbreadth above my lips—leaving me to close the gap between us.
Do it,an inner voice I didn’t recognize encouraged.Take what you want.
I lifted on tiptoe, and our lips met in a soft, tentative kiss that stole the air from my lungs.
Oh,my heart seemed to sigh.This is what we’ve been missing.
At first, Theo kept the kiss light and easy, allowing me space to break away. But I didn’t. A million thoughts flickered through my mind in the spaces between my heartbeats.
I should pull back.
I should kiss him harder.
I should… I should… I should.
He made the decision for me, stepping closer and adjusting the angle of our kiss. Heat washed over me, flooding my body as the kiss shifted from sweet and gentle, growing deeper, hungrier, filled with need.
Sensations assaulted me as his hand slid up my elbow to cup my neck, his thumb stroking my pulse point.
I opened my mouth, wanting to taste him.
“Mai! Open up!”
The amused shout interrupted us. We jumped away from each other, both of us flustered and blushing.
Theo cleared his throat and adjusted his clothing, his hand back on the doorknob.
