Then Rosalyn’s whisper broke through the hollow noise. “Was it like this?” And she reached up on tiptoe and pressed her lips to his.
Dream and reality merged into one. He kissed her in return, his hands finding her waist and holding lightly, as if she might crack. As iftheymight shatter.
Her fingers clenched his shoulders, her breath warm against his neck as she eased back, cautious, lines of uncertainty etched across her face. She was waiting. For approval? Permission?
She had it all.
Cade pressed his forehead to hers, his pulse racing. “I think you’ve made a mistake.”
Rosalyn wilted. “Oh.”
“It was more likethis.” He tugged her into him, and she crashed against his chest as his lips found hers again with confidence. She whimpered, returning the kiss with equal fervor.
Time seemed to slow. The rain flowed faster, providing a sheet of privacy around their awning as her arms snaked up around his neck. Her delicious scent took him back to high school, when her hair would brush against his arm every time she leaned across their shared table in the library. To those late-night debate team sessions, when she’d often save the seat next to her despite their being on opposite teams.
Maybe he’d been too intimidated by her and her friends back in those school days. Too easily dismissed at the Lazy Spoon.
Today, he was none of those things.
It was only him and Rosalyn. And the steady downpour of rain finally giving him the opportunity to make up for lost time.
Cade deepened their kiss, feeling Rosalyn press into him as if she couldn’t get close enough. His hands on her back, tugging her closer, acknowledged the struggle. She was shaking, and he didn’t think it was from the cold anymore.
That made two of them.
He lifted her slightly off the ground, turning her back to the brick wall of the shop as the kiss continued. Her fingers brushed the ends of his hair, setting his neck alight with nerves. His body hummed as the fervency of their kiss slowed, becoming more and more intentional.
It was getting difficult to breathe. But he’d collapse to the pavement before he pulled away first.
As if reading his mind, Rosalyn turned her face to the side, gulping for air. His heart pounded like they’d run ten miles instead of two blocks.
“This time you’re mistaken.” Rosalyn leaned back, palming his chest with both hands. Her eyes were glassy, her cheeks flushed. “Because I can assure you, the kiss in the theater wasnothinglike that.”
That was a relief. “And for the record, you can now consider that valedictorian bet paid off.” Cade closed the slight distance between them, wrapping her into a hug. “I should’ve made good on that a long time ago.”
He could feel her smile into his shoulder.
Cade rested his cheek on the top of her head, willing his heart to slow. To not thunder in her ear.
But she didn’t seem to mind as she looped her arms around him and relaxed. The rain began to let up, as quickly as it’d begun. As if it’s entire purpose had been for them. Maybe it had.
Then slowly, Rosalyn began to stiffen.
“Don’t do that.” Cade tightened his grip, as if she might vanish with the storm. “I can tell you’re already over-thinking.”
“Cade…” Her voice pitched.
“I know, we had the whole friends talk. But…give it a minute.” He pulled away, but only far enough to smile down at her. “We’re a gumbo. We need to simmer.”
But she didn’t smile back. “Cade.”
And just like that, reality replaced the dream. He let his arms fall to his sides. “I told myself I wasn’t going to cross your line.”
Her shaking hands adjusted her ponytail. “You didn’t. I kissed you.”
“We kissed each other.”
She grimaced. “I started it.”
