Mistletoe and Mr. Right (Moose Springs, Alaska #2) - Sarah Morgenthaler Page 0,72
my ex. I probably don’t even remember how.”
“Twelve months.” When he raised an eyebrow, Lana clarified. “It’s been twelve months since I kissed someone. Last New Year’s.”
“You’re kidding me.”
“It wasn’t even one of the good kisses. Too much teeth, not enough…not teeth.”
“Not teeth is important when kissing.”
“And yet someone never told him.” Sighing with playful dramatics, she rested her palm against his stomach. “If I had known it would be so long, I might have tried to enjoy it more.”
A comfortable silence fell between them, but that silence was punctuated by the metal of the roof creaking as it contracted in the freezing temperatures.
“The rest of me is fine, but my fingers simply refuse to warm up.”
“Body heat is better than thin blankets,” he said.
“And evil sausage grinders?”
“You’re the one who thought this would make a great story.” Rick chuckled.
“Story, yes. For grandchildren and the like. Not to be on the local news. I can see it now. Two new lovers found ground to death in squirrel mausoleum. Try the stroganoff. The mystery meat is delicious.”
Rick gently squeezed her waist. “Will it help if I promise I won’t let anyone chop us up to bits?”
“It won’t hurt.” She sighed, then snuggled into his shoulder. “Rick?”
“Hmm?”
“This was the best date I’ve ever been on.”
“You can’t be serious.”
“I’m completely serious.” Brown eyes gazed up at him. “Do you want to know why?”
“Why?”
“Because you cared enough to keep driving.”
Beauty was more than skin deep. Beauty was a kind heart and hands willing to help, no matter how dirty they got. Beauty was a quick grin and eyes that noticed everyone in a room. Noticed and cared about everyone, no matter who they were.
Eyes that saw him, when he’d been sitting in the background of his life for far too long.
“Can I—” Pausing midquestion, Rick cleared his throat. Bless the woman for not making him finish his sentence. Lana nodded in encouragement.
Heart hammering in his chest, breath caught in his lungs, Rick leaned in. He wasn’t sure what he expected…maybe a slap to the face, despite her arm wrapped around the back of his neck. Instead, he found soft lips, warm despite the cool air. Just the slightest of pressure, his mouth to hers. Pulling away, Rick glanced at her.
“See? I promised I wouldn’t bite.”
“Not yet anyway. I’m sorry.” Lana nodded, kind enough not to mock him for his trembling hands. “Guess I need some more practice.”
“Or more time?” she asked gently.
“No. I’ve had more than enough of time.”
It had been too long since Rick had taken a woman in his arms, holding her close. And he never would have expected this woman to be the one. He felt outclassed, outmatched, and beyond overwhelmed. But when he slid his palm up her back, Lana leaned against him, melting into his touch. When his fingers threaded into her hair, the silky strands clinging to his wrist, this time, she kissed him.
Deepening the kiss, Rick relaxed back against the bedding, drawing her with him. The scent of her subtle perfume was almost as intoxicating as the warmth of her body beneath his hands. He could have stayed like this forever, her ankle hooked around his, her arm hugging his rib cage, as if she needed to hold him as much as he needed to hold her. Each touch of her lips against his was even better than the last.
Abruptly, Lana started to giggle.
“Should I ask?” Rick’s murmured question earned another—even better—giggle from her.
“I just think it’s funny that I got you into bed so fast. You give off a certain ‘hard to catch’ vibe.”
“Says the date who wouldn’t let me walk her to her elevator.”
“I’m hard to catch too.” Lana flashed him a pretty grin. “Takes an impressive person to pull it off. Besides, the ‘hey baby’ rules are different.”
For a guy who had spent an inordinate amount of his life feeling like he wasn’t quite enough, this woman could make him feel pretty damn great.
“I didn’t ‘hey baby’ you,” Rick reminded her, earning a peal of laughter as he rolled over onto his side, tickling her ribs as he pulled her close. “I’m much too debonair for that.”
“You totally hey baby’d me.”
“Can you blame me?”
She was still giggling when he kissed her neck, then her earlobe, then her lips one more time. Then Rick relaxed into the bedding, because she was right. Rick wasn’t hard to catch, but he also didn’t jump into something this fast. Not even with a woman he wanted this much.