Say When - Micalea Smeltzer Page 0,21
good impression. I need this job. Not just for the money but for my mental sanity as well.
Returning home, I let myself into the condo. Tossing my keys on the counter I kick off my tennis shoes. Next goes my loose top, leaving me in only my jog bra and shorts. My muscles ache from tension, not the exercise, and I’m looking forward to my hot shower like the pot of gold at the end of a rainbow.
I don’t make it to the bathroom before there’s a knock on the door.
Pausing, I look over my shoulder ready to ignore it but there’s another followed by Hayden’s voice.
“Emilia, I know you’re there I just heard your door close.”
The groan that leaves me is barely the tip of the iceberg that is my anger at him.
Crossing the room, I yank the door open. “What do you want?”
My words are scathing, and he won’t be able to mistake the tone.
“I…” He swallows thickly and I narrow my eyes. But his eyes? They’re not looking back at me. They keep dropping down before darting away but they always come back to the same spot—
Looking down I realize it’s because I’m in my jog bra.
“Oh, for God’s sake,” I start in again, “more is covered right now than if I were in a bikini top. Get a grip. I already don’t know what your issue was last night and now you’re going to freak out over a bra? Come on Hayden, grow—”
My heart jolts at the feel of his hands on my cheeks, snaking around the back of my neck where he tangles them in my dark hair.
My eyes ask a question. What are you doing?
This. He answers with his lips.
The first second his lips press against mine is hesitant, unsure, but in the next he grows bolder, stronger. I don’t move for a moment, taken by surprise, but somehow my body takes over, following the lead of his mouth. My hands move from my sides, gliding up his solid chest and taking in every dip and curve of his muscles. My fists wind into the soft fabric of his shirt, holding him tight against me in case he changes his mind.
I don’t know how this is happening, or why, but I don’t mind. Not at all.
His lips against mine feel right.
All the clumsy and sloppy kisses of my past are erased with the expert sweep of his tongue. He holds me tight in his grip, not painfully, more so like he’s afraid if he lets go, I’ll drift away.
I kiss him back with everything I have, standing on my tiptoes to get closer to his height.
He lets out a manly groan that I feel everywhere, in places I didn’t know existed.
Hayden, my brain seems to hum. Hayden. Hayden. Hayden.
He’s invading my senses, rattling my very foundation with one kiss.
Pulling away, just slightly, he places a tiny kiss on the end of my nose. Our breaths mingle in the air.
“I swear if you try to say you’re sorry right now I will punch you in the face.”
He chuckles, rubbing his thumbs on my cheeks in soothing circles.
“I didn’t exactly plan that, but no, I’m not going to say I’m sorry.”
I look up into his eyes, imploring him to explain so I can understand. “What’s happening with us? I … it’s not just me that feels something too is it?”
He shakes his head, his hair tickling my forehead. “It’s not just you.”
“It’s too quick, isn’t it?” I whisper, biting my lip.
He takes a small step away from me, rubbing his fingers over his lips like there’s still a tingle from mine. Clearing his throat, he says, “Maybe. I don’t know.” He looks away, jaw flexing, and I know, I just know he’s fighting not to say those two words again.
“Look,” I blurt, refusing to let him overthink and ruin such a wonderful kiss. “I like you. I like your company. Spending time with you is effortless and that’s rare for me.” I hate admitting that. I feel like it makes me sound like a bitch, but most social situations exhaust me. But when I’m with Hayden time feels to pass in a blink and I find myself wishing it was longer. Closing my eyes for a brief second, I inhale a breath. “Please don’t ruin this. Whatever this is.”
He leans against the doorway, scrubbing a hand over his stubbled jaw. “I’m a lot older than you.”
“Thank you, I kind of figured that out when you told