complete stranger. “Wait.”
He pauses. “We got it open, but how are you going to drive?”
“Ta
da!” I lean into the car, flip the middle cup-holder, and pull
out a key. “And I have a spare under the mat at home, too.”
“You’re
all set.” Will grins. “Well, I guess I better get going
now.”
“Oh.”
I feel a surge of disappointment. For all the bad luck I’ve had
today, this part has actually been fun. I don’t want to see him
go so soon, but he’s spent enough of his time helping me out.
He probably has someplace to be—and a girl to show him a good
time once he’s there. “Sure, thanks again. I really
appreciate it.”
“Anytime.”
Will nods. “So . . .” He pauses like he’s
going to say something else, but instead, he nods, and flashes me
another heart-stopping smile. “Goodbye, Delilah.”
“Goodbye,
Will,” I echo, watching him walk away. Right on cue, there’s
another ominous rumble of thunder, and then the light smatter of
raindrops turns into a full-on shower. Will picks up the pace,
jogging for dry land.
I
feel a pang.
I
could get in my car right now, hit the road for home, but I can still
feel the warm imprint of his body against mine; feeling suddenly,
inexplicably right .
“Wait!”
I call, taking off after him. I sprint down the block, my feet
splashing in the gutters. “Will, wait!”
He
stops on the corner and turns back, looking confused. “Wait,”
I say again breathlessly, and then before I can think twice, I reach
up on my tiptoes, grab him by the tie, and kiss him.
Just
like that.
His
mouth is soft, cool from the rain, but the feel of his lips against
mine is hotter than an inferno. Every last nerve in my system ignites
in a heartbeat, screaming to life with red-hot electricity that
sizzles and surges, making me arch up closer, wanting more.
For
a moment, we’re suspended there, frozen. And he kisses me back.
Will
pulls me against him, easing my lips open and sliding his tongue deep
in a heady dance that makes my head spin and my knees go weak. The
fever of the moment crashes through me, and I hold on for dear life,
suddenly lost in the sweet, delicious feel of his mouth, his tongue,
his hands gripping my waist tightly, and mmmm ,
the solid planes of his body, muscular arms crushing me close. I
could stay here forever, swept up in something so sweet and wild, but
at last, we come up for air.
I
step back, my heart pounding, blood singing in my veins. “Thanks
again,” I murmur, as the real world slips back into focus. I
smooth down his damp shirt and wink. “See you around.”
I
turn and walk away before he can say a word, breaking into a run as
the rain pours down and I dash to my car through the deluge. I hurl
myself inside, slam the door behind me, and catch my breath, my head
still spinning.
That
was some kiss.
A
grin spreads across my face as I buckle up, start the engine, and hit
the road again, the wipers doing a furious dance on the windshield.
But even through the torrents of rain, I still see Will’s face,
back there on the street after I kissed him: his wet hair rumpled,
his eyes bright with passion, and those lips . . .
I
shiver happily. I haven’t had a kiss like that in, well,
forever.
So
why didn’t you get his number?
I
shake off the scolding voice in my mind. The one thing I’ve
learned about guys is the good times never last. Commitment,
relationships—they all fall apart in the end, ruined by
cheating or lies, or just the ordinary grind of everyday existence.
I’ve seen it happen too often to keep believing in that
happily-ever-after. No, I decided a long time ago that it’s
better to just enjoy the moment for what it is: an amazing moment. A
heart-stopping kiss. A wild, adventurous night together. Nothing
more—and nothing less, either.
This
way, there’s no disappointment. I won’t ever find out
that Will leaves dirty laundry on the bathroom floor, or stops
calling after a couple of weeks, or has fifteen