The three of them stopped immediately, cheeks flushed, and then they nodded and hurried to their car.
I nodded.
Then I climbed back in and waited.
Carter walked out of Gushers a few minutes later, shaking his head as my mom and dad walked out behind him, and right to my side.
Since my window was partially down, my dad said, “Have a good time, Harlee. We love you.”
I smiled, “Love you guys too.”
My mom winked at me, “Make him work for it.”
I giggled.
Carter chuckled as he handed me the bag.
Ten minutes later, we were pulling into the marina.
With my hand in one of his and his other carrying the bag, he led me to the dock where Misty and Frank had their boat.
He placed the bag of food behind us the moment we were both settled.
I was looking out over the water, as I said, “Don’t ever tell me you're not good enough for me, okay?”
I looked at him once I finished and saw him shaking his head, “Harlee...”
I shook my head, “No. You're one of the best men I’ve ever had the pleasure of knowing. I call you; you come. I’m scared; you fight my fear. I’m sad, you do something to make me laugh. You’ve been like this my whole life. And honestly, I wouldn’t want it any other way.”
“Promised myself that if you thought I was good enough, that I was going to bust my ass to prove to you that I was. Still going to do that. And give all of me to you. And I want the same in return. I want all of you, Harlee Belle.”
I smiled, then said, “Can I ask you something?”
He looked at me with a lifted brow, “Okay.”
“Can we really be in a relationship and never have kissed before?” I teased.
He laughed. “We’re us, Harlee Belle. Rules don’t apply to us.”
I smiled.
His eyes dropped to my lips, then I watched as his throat swallowed, and his eyes heated, then he said, “Been wanting to kiss you since you turned eighteen.”
I tilted my head to the side, “Would have made my day, if you had.”
His eyes came up to mine as he leaned closer and whispered, “Had I done that, I wouldn’t have treasured this moment.”
And then he brought his hand up to cup the side of my face, his thumb stroking my cheek.
I tilted my head to the side, craving more of his touch, and then, as he bent his neck slightly, tilted his head to the side, I leaned in, and then... felt everything in the entire world stop.
His lips, full, lush, soft, pressed into mine.
I felt his tongue tease along my lips, and I opened my mouth, welcoming him in.
He pressed closer into me, wrapping his arm around my waist, his fingers clenching into my shirt.
As soon as my tongue came into contact with his, I felt him moan into my mouth, and that caused me to return the favor. Gladly.
