I want to lean over and kiss her. Even if it’s only once.
I set the bag down, eyes locked on hers. Imogen’s lips part on a breath. “Calder?”
My gaze flickers to her lips, then back to her eyes. “There’s something I want to do, trouble. You going to give me grief about it?”
Her throat bobs as she swallows. “Depends,” she murmurs, “on what it is.”
I chuckle, heart racing, and lean towards her. Soon, the space between us disappears. I capture her chin lightly between my fingers, waiting for her to pull away. When she doesn’t, I inch closer, closing the gap.
Imogen’s eyes widen. “Calder…” Her voice is breathy, and yet she still doesn’t pull away.
“One minute,” I murmur.
I brush my lips against hers lightly, a featherlight kiss to test the waters. Imogen sucks in a breath, leaning into my touch, and it’s all I need to claim her mouth completely.
And for the first time in too long, I feel like I’m finally where I’m meant to be.
SIX
IMOGEN
He tastes like peppermint. It’s the only thing I can think of as his mouth moves against mine slowly, carefully, like he’s testing the moment with each gentle move of his lips.
There’s a war going on inside me. One half is telling me to pull away. To smack some sense into the man and give him a piece of my mind. We shouldn’t be crossing this line, especially when we both know better.
But the other half yearns for more. To feel his hands, calloused and rough, against my skin. Wonders what it would be like to let him break through the ice around my heart.
For the first time in forever, I feel almost…right. Like I’m where I belong. And I don’t understand why it has to be with him.
The logical, sane part of me tells me to get out and run.
The dreamer in me begs me to stay and finallyfeelagain.
My hands move of their own accord, one gripping his forearm as he continues to hold my chin. My other moves to his shoulder like a magnet seeking more.
Calder’s tongue swipes against the seam of my lips, asking for entrance that I grant him immediately. The taste of mintexplodes on my tongue, a taste that takes me by surprise. I moan against his lips, for some reason wanting more.
But Calder pulls away sharply, sucking in a breath. My cheeks heat from the moment, or worse, from the embarrassment of being rejected. It’s almost like he’s come back to his senses, and they’re telling him he’s made a huge mistake.
I should know better. Tears burn the back of my eyes as I pull out of his grip and sit back. Mortified doesn’t seem to cut it; what I’m feeling is ten times worse. It’s a reminder that no matter what, I’ll never be good enough.
“Trouble…” His voice is hoarse, grating against my better judgement.
I swallow hard and wish I could wash away the taste of peppermint from my mouth. “I’m fine,” I tell him, keeping my voice even. I summon all the strength I have left; the strength I’ve been able to use to my advantage since the death of my grandfather.
Clearing my throat, I don’t bother to look at the man sitting beside me as I sit back. I wish I’d been lying about how beautiful the ranch is; I wish this moment had been enough to taint the image of the land for me, but it hadn’t. It’s still a beautiful sight; rolling hills drifting into darkness, the mountain in the distance, usually capped with snow, which I can’t see now because of the clouds.
From the corner of my eye, Calder hands me a take-out container. “I promised you dinner,” he says. “I don’t break my promises.”
I wish he’d promised not to hurt me, and yet…
I take the food, which smells divine, reminding me just how hungry I am. Silently, I pop the lid and stare down at the bacon cheeseburger and fries. The burger has been cut down the middle, share style, which for some reason makes my heart hurt a little more.
First, he kisses me.
Then, he pushes me away.
Now, he presents me with food, which really shouldn’t affect me the way it does.
