Page 23 of Shotgun Spouse
"It would hurt your reputation as mayor."
"By dating the smartest, most capable, unfairly beautiful woman in town? I think that will win me more votes. So may I kiss you now?"
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Teddy wasn’t sure who moved first—him or Bunny. Logically, he knew it had to have been him. Of course, it was him. He’d been wanting this for years, dreaming of it in quiet moments when she walked past his office, her scent lingering like jasmine and chamomile tea.
Bunny, on the other hand, had only just realized she wanted this. Who cared who moved first? All that mattered was that they were moving toward each other now.
His hand found her waist. His touch was tentative at first, testing the waters. He wasn’t ready to lose the moment if she hesitated, if she pulled away.
She didn’t. Instead, she leaned in. Her breath was warm against his cheek. They remained in the midst of a snowstorm. Inside, a slow, simmering heat spread through him, like embers catching fire.
Teddy had brushed shoulders with Bunny before in the office. It had happened often enough, like the time when they both reached for the same stapler. Sitting across from her in meetings, their feet had accidentally bumped under the conference table. He’d feigned nonchalance, but his pulse had quickened every time. When she handed him speech notes, healways made sure to graze her fingertips, the side of her wrist—anything he could get away with. Once, he’d even caught hold of her thumb, holding on a second too long before she’d tugged it free. He’d barely stopped himself from pulling it to his mouth, from kissing it, sucking it, as though that tiny act could quench the thirst he had for her.
Right now, there was no accident. No excuse. Bunny was in his arms. Her soft curves pressed against him. His hands wanted to fist pump the air, clap in triumph, and pull her closer—all at the same time.
When their lips finally met, a sigh left his mouth as he took his first taste. That first sip of her wasn’t enough. It was everything. It was too much.
Teddy's brain went static. His senses overloaded as he tried to take it all in. The faint taste of tea on her lips. The silky feel of her hair as his fingers slid up to cradle the back of her head. The way she melted against him like she’d always belonged there.
Inside his chest, fireworks exploded—gold, red, white, bursting in time with the erratic beat of his heart. His pulse thrummed in his ears, louder than the snow tapping against the windows.
Outside, the world was white, quiet, a snow globe of serenity. Inside, it was a storm. Bunny was hail and a hurricane and a day on the beach all at the same time. He wanted to lose himself in her. He was losing himself.
Teddy came up for air. He wanted to break the kiss and thank her and shout in triumph. Instead, she aimed for his lips again.
Bunny's hands curled into his shirt, pulling him closer. Teddy felt like a man who’d just stumbled upon an oasis in the desert. He dove into the cool, refreshing drink that was Bunny Chou. The kiss deepened, and he let himself sink into her.
As he ate hungrily at her mouth, he realized something—this wasn’t enough. It never would be. Not one kiss, not one night.He wanted all of it, all of her. Every argument, every laugh, every exasperated eye roll she threw his way. He wanted to kiss her good morning and goodnight and every second in between.
But for now, he let himself savor this one moment, the one he’d been waiting for far too long. Teddy tightened his grip on her waist. He’d moved first, yes—but she was here now, and that was all that mattered. Because Bunny Chou tasted like forever.
Teddy’s lips were still tingling from the kiss, his hands resting firmly on Bunny’s waist as though she might slip away if he loosened his grip. But she wasn’t pulling away—far from it. Her arms were around his neck, holding him close, her body warm and soft against his.
The kiss was slow and unrushed and nothing like the movies. In the movies, something always interrupted. A crying baby, a shrill phone, a knock at the door. Here, there was only the snow falling outside, the faint hum of the heater, and the sound of their breathing intertwined like a melody.
Bunny shifted closer, her fingernails scraping at the back of his neck. Teddy groaned against her mouth, and she gasped in response. This was everything he’d wanted—everything he’d dreamed of. Which was exactly why he had to stop.
He broke the kiss, pulling back just enough to catch his breath. His hands didn’t leave her waist, though.
Bunny blinked up at him. Her lips parted. Her eyes were wide with something that looked like confusion and hunger all at once. Then she leaned in, her mouth seeking his again.
Teddy shook his head, a teasing smile tugging at his lips. “Wait.”
Bunny stopped, raising a brow at him.
“I want to take you on a date.”
Bunny furrowed that raised brow. She blinked again, as though she hadn’t heard him right. “A… date?”
“Yeah. You know, dinner, maybe some music and dancing. A proper date.”
Bunny pulled back slightly, tilting her head at him. “You’re serious?”
“You seem to think I’m this easy playboy, Bunny Chou. But if you want all of this”—he gestured to himself —“you’re going to have to work for it.”
She stared at him for a beat, then broke into a laugh, the sound bright and melodic.
