The chilled air greets me, wrapping itself around my bare arms. Above the bay, in the inky black night, thousands of stars twinkle like miniature Christmas tree lights. The fog and clouds that usually blanket the sky are absent for now.
God, it’s beautiful.
Several minutes slip quietly past before I hear the balcony door click open and shut again. I don’t bother to see who’s there. I don’t have to. In the short time he and I have been together, my body has become attuned to Landon and is tingling with awareness again.
“It’s so beautiful,” I say on a hushed breath, still staring up at the stars. “I could probably stay out here all night.”
He doesn’t say anything at first, but I sense his presence draw closer. “What are you doing out here?” His voice is rough and fireworks-exploding-between-my-legs sexy. Not a single cell in my body is immune to it.
I should probably be concerned about that, but I can’t seem to drum up even an ounce of resistance. “Watching for shooting stars.”
“I didn’t realize you’re into astronomy.” He doesn’t sound like he believes that.
“I’m not. Not really. But maybe I should rethink that.”
“Why do you want to see shooting stars?”
I shrug—because it feels stupid to say my reason out loud. But I do anyway. “I thought maybe I could make a wish, and it’ll come true.”
“And what wish is that?”
“If I tell you, it won’t come true.”
Never mind the part where I haven’t had a chance to utter it yet.
He places his hand on my shoulder. The cold November air doesn’t affect me. His touch does. Goose bumps prickle along my arms. I shiver.
“You’re cold.”
“Not at all.” Just the contrary.
He turns me around to face him. In the soft light spilling from between partially closed curtains, I make out the heat in his eyes and the fullness of his lips—lips I can’t tear my gaze from.
Landon lowers his head closer to mine. “I want to kiss you again.” His voice comes out low and gravelly, but he makes no attempt to shorten the distance between us.
“I want that too.” More than anything.
This time he does lower his mouth all the way.
Like before, the touch of his lips against mine is barely more than a brush, but it’s enough to ignite fireworks in my belly.
However, it’s not enough to chase away the goose bumps. Just the opposite.
He pulls back slightly to look into my eyes. Whatever he sees must be the only answer he needs. His mouth returns to mine, but this time it’s more than the gentle meeting of flesh.
This time it’s electric.
My lips part, allowing his warm wet tongue to invade my mouth, seeking, exploring. Tempting.
My tongue greets it, welcomes it with a slow dance of my own. Nothing about this kiss is fast and greedy. It’s about savoring the moment, not knowing if it’s the first and only real kiss we’ll share—or the first of many more to come.
I lift my hands to his neck and burrow my fingers in the short, soft strands of his dark hair, keeping him from ending the kiss too soon.
The fireworks in my belly from a few moments ago are nothing compared to now. I’ve experienced numerous firework displays over the years, from the big city ones of New York City ringing in the New Year, to the smaller ones, celebrating the Fourth of July.
None of them compares to the ones currently going off deep inside me.
Landon wraps his arms around me, pulling me closer. Our mouths are not the only parts touching. The full length of my body is pressed against his.
