4. Kristen
4
KRISTEN
Seth kisses me with a passion that my body craves. The moment his lips touched mine it was like a switch flipped on for me.
I want to explore more of his body.
To feel his lips on other parts of my body.
The heat in my lower abdomen ignites and grows. His woodsy scent fills my nostrils as his tongue explores my mouth. Everything is moving like a wildfire, fast and all consuming.
Until we’re interrupted. It’s been so long that I think if his hands touched me anywhere else, I may have come right then and there amongst the dusty bookshelves.
Talk about a bucket of cold water.
We peel apart when Riley comes around. Seth’s eyes are frantic, they dart about. I talk to Riley as Seth seems to pull himself together. I also tossed him a book to cover up.
“Can Kristen come to family dinner?” Riley asks.
Seth’s seemingly stoic face becomes beet red as he runs his hands through his hair.
“We’ll have to ask your mom,” he shifts his weight side to side as if embarrassed or nervous.
“Okay, I’m going to grab another book because Kristen said I can!” And with a bounce in her step, Riley hurries away. Once she’s out of ear shot Seth turns to me.
“I should explain. Riley’s mom, Jacquline, and I do weekly Friday night dinners together. We’re divorced.”
“Makes sense.” I notice he reaches to his left hand as if to twist a ring that used to be there. I want to pry about his past relationship. Does he still think about her? About me?
“Our custody is every other week so we do dinner together with Riley as a transition. I’d love to just invite you, but I’d need to ask Jacquiline. We don’t usually invite dates to family dinner.” He tucks his hands in his pockets.
“That’s a good system.” I bite my lip, unsure of what else to say. I finally know that Seth is divorced. Also, he’s single if he’s thinking about me as a date for dinner.
“Can I have your phone number? I’ll let you know what Jacqueline says about Friday.”
“Sure.” I recite the number for him to type into his phone. His brows furrow as he types it in. I changed my number in college when I wanted a clean break. I wonder how many times he reached out and I never knew.
“I’ll text you then.” He looks past me. I turn and see Riley with an armful of books. “I should get Riley home.”
I nod in return. He kisses my cheek before he leaves. I stand there, hand on my face as I watch the two of them leave the store. Riley waves goodbye as Seth carries all her books.
All alone in the bookstore. The silence seems out of place now.
After two days of silence, I finally get a text from Seth.
Seth: Friday doesn’t work. Would you want to grab dinner with me on Saturday?
Kristen: Sure, where do you want to meet?
Seth: I can pick you up at the store at 7 if that works? I won’t have Riley. We can go to the Waterfront Bistro.
Kristen: Okay, see you then.
I have a date with Seth. Now I just need a game plan. It’s been a while since I’ve gone on a date with someone that I have a deep connection with. Though maybe Seth doesn’t think about this as a date and more of just old friends catching up.
I need some answers. And who better to go to than a friend? I head to the bakery to question Bethany about all things Seth and Kastle Harbor that I’ve missed. And maybe borrow a dress. Dating wasn’t on my mind of possibilities when I packed.
Despite being the post lunch rush, there’s still a decent amount of people in the bakery. I get to the counter and greet Bethany. She gets me an iced coffee and tells me she’ll come sit with me in a moment. I pick a nice café table by the windows. May as well soak up some sunshine while I can
“What’s up Kristen? How’s the bookstore coming along?” Bethany sits down across from me.
She sets down a small plate of cookies and offers me one. They’re shaped and decorated like colorful seashells. I take a bite. It’s a delicious sugar cookie. If I lived here, I’d be at the bakery every day for sure. Or if I was running the bookstore I’d keep the staff break room fully stocked on the sweets front.
“I may have a date with Seth,” I cut to the chase, my mouth full of cookie.
“No way,” Bethany gasps. “You haven’t even been here a week. Do you think that it’s a good idea?” She takes a cookie too.
“That’s the thing, I’m not sure if it’s actually a date or just catching up.” I fill her in on the other day, Riley inviting me to dinner, and Seth’s wording for having me join them. “What do you think?”
“I think it could go either way. But the real question,” she narrows her eyes, “do you want it to be a date?”
The more time I spend in the bookstore surrounded my memories of my grandmother the more I want to leave the first chance I can and retreat to California. But when Seth crosses my mind, and with that kiss he’s been on my mind even more, I’m tempted to linger here. To see how this plays out.
“There’s a lot of history between us.” I mutter. Bethany shakes her head, her vibrant red curls bouncing with her movements.
“Not what I asked. You know he’s divorced and has Riley. There’s more to it than just a fun night out.”
“Speaking of which, do you know why he’s divorced?” I sip my coffee and try to be nonchalant.
“I suppose it’s common knowledge for everyone in town. Basically, they got married because Jacquiline was pregnant. I don’t think they loved each other and decided they were better as friends. You should ask him for further details.” I nod.
Can Seth be over his first marriage? Do I want to date someone with a kid?
I have too much on my mind.
“Okay, enough about me, tell me about you and Violet. Fill me in on everything Kastle Harbor.”
Bethany and I sit and talk for almost an hour. At the end I’m given a box of cookies and an invite to wine night next week when all the girls meet up. She promises to drop off a few dress options for me since we have similar busty but on the shorter side of frames.
Back at the store I plop onto the couch upstairs. I think about all the possible outcomes of dinner with Seth. What it all boils down to is that he has a kid and I’m leaving soon. Should I even bother with trying to invade their little family space?
If our relationship gets deeper than surface level, like a one-night stand or two, I’m not sure I can bear the outcome of things not working out in the end.
Maybe we’re better as friends. And our kiss will just be a fond memory I take with me back to the West Coast. Besides, maybe people only get one chance. We had our shot way back when and I threw it away.
Seth
I find myself at a loss for words when I pick Kristen up from the bookstore. The Waterfront Bistro is probably the nicest place to eat in Kastle Harbor, but I wasn’t expecting her to be dressed to the nines. Her usual casual, flowy outfits have been replaced by a form fitting, shiny, emerald dress that hugs her curves in all the right places. When she turns to lock the store, I notice the dress is backless, showing off her sun kissed tan. I want to run my fingers across her skin.
Or my lips.
I can’t help but grin as she reaches out to grab my arm. She holds me tight and for a moment I never want her to let go. Her sneakers are swapped for platforms, giving her a few extra inches to close the height gap between us.
“Not used to heels?” I chuckle as I open the car door.
“Shut it, Seth Lawson.” She playfully punches my arm.
We drive the short distance to the bistro chatting about our weeks. I explain that I’m a principle and keep the same hours as the school. It’s nice because I work while Riley’s in school so there’s no need for a babysitter. We park and head into the restaurant. I had reserved a table by the windows so we’d have an ocean view.
It may be a tad too romantic for a dinner between friends.
We head to our table, order some cocktails, and continue to chat about our jobs. It’s as if we never stopped talking over the years. I feel mesmerized watching her as she speaks about her life in California. A part of me feels like I should be angry with how happy she is, but the other part of me is full of joy to just be here together.
I’ve only seen her once or twice over the years, but our conversation flows easily from one topic to another. Soon we’re eating our main course and reminiscing about high school days. It’s been a week since Kristen entered my life again.
When will she leave again?
The little voice in my head can’t stop questioning her moves. Is this all just a friendly catch up before she abandons Kastle Harbor forever? But what about that kiss? It couldn’t have meant nothing. She returned it with such a fervor. It meant something to her.
I narrow my eyes at her, as she stares out the window, watching the ocean waves. I feel my jaw unclench. Kristen is stunning, amidst the ocean backdrop. Her halo-like hair highlighting her eyes. The shiny fabric of her dress is bunched up from her twisting to the side, her cleavage on display.
The waitress comes back with the dessert menu. Kristen looks it over with squinted eyes.
“How can a fancy restaurant not have a chocolate dessert?” she murmurs, barely audible.
I can’t stifle the laugh that erupts, breaking the peaceful silence between us. She blushes, the red creeping up from her neck.
“I see you’re still quite the fan of chocolate sweets.”
“Maybe it’s just genetics.” She grins as she sets the menu down. “Besides, who doesn’t like chocolate?” she reaches out to pat my hand. It’s soft and warm. I don’t want to let go, to end the night here.
“If you’re interested in something sweet,” I take her hand in mine and hold her gaze, “I know I have some cake slices in my fridge at home. I’d be happy to share.”
“But are they chocolate?”
“Yes, and I’ll even make some decaf coffee if you want.”
She tilts her head and purses her lips, hesitating to respond. But her hand remains in mine.
“You’ve got yourself a deal Seth Lawson,” she places her other hand on mine and gently squeezes before removing both hands.
We split the check and head to the car. It’s not too far of a drive to my place. When we arrive, she takes her platform heels off and sighs as she stands on the carpet entryway. Somehow, she looks right at home as she follows me around.
I show her around the living area. The house is just enough space for me and Riley. There are two rooms, two bathrooms, and the living area is large with an open floor plan. Kristen joins me in the kitchen to make coffee and pull the cake slices out of the fridge. She grabs creamer as I set out to pour the coffee.
“Seth Lawson, why do you have so much cake in your fridge?” her tone is lighthearted as she pokes my arm.
“When you say my full name, I feel as if I’m being reprimanded.” I chuckle and pretend she’s wounded my arm. Her eyes wander over my body.
“Seth it is,” she drawls each word out as she steps closer. She smells of cherry blossoms, it’s sweet like vanilla and roses mixed. Always something floral and sweet, they suit her well.
I inhale sharply as she steps even closer, mere inches away. She runs her finger down my chest before repeating her initial question. I love the way her voice is breathy as she says my name.
“I suppose sometimes I have a sweet craving.” Her lips quirk up just a touch as I reply.
“Are you craving anything right now?”
The desire in her eyes matches how I feel on the inside. All night I’ve thought about her naked and on my bed. Getting to the explore her body with my hands, my lips, my tongue. My cock hardens at the thought of her moaning my name while she orgasms.
I run my thumb over her bottom lip, before leaning down to whisper.
“I think we both know I won’t stop with just a kiss Kristen,” I murmur in her ear.
She nods before adding that she hopes I won’t stop. It’s all the confirmation I need to know we’re on the same page.
I kiss her neck then her collarbone. She tilts her head back slightly as her eyes close. I slide my fingers over her shoulders and she shivers as her thin straps fall down. Her dress remains on as I kneel in front of her. Kristen leans back against the counter.
The cold kitchen tile is hard under my knees despite being fully dressed. I run my hands up her thighs. I edge her dress up further and further until it’s bunched around her waist. I kiss the inside of her thigh, right above her knee.
It’s going to be difficult to take things slow. But I want this to be something we both thoroughly enjoy. An evening filled with desire.
I start to make my way up her right thigh as she grips the counter. She starts tense, but when she tilts her head back as I kiss my way up her leg, she relaxes under my touch.
Is this the right move? Perhaps not.
Perhaps we should take this to the bedroom.