Chapter Seven
Kinsley
“The kiss was everything.”
He’d helped me out of his truck and then walked me to the front of it, near my gate lock.
His hands landed on my hips, and he leaned in ever so slightly, almost as if he was double-checking he had my permission.
Didn’t this man know I was smitten with him already at this point?
I was. Hook, line, sinker, it was a done deal, and I wanted him fiercely.
It’s been so long since I’d had a first kiss, I’d say at least twenty-two years, and it was so much more than I remembered.
He'd tenderly brushed the tip of his nose against mine; my toes already curled in anticipation. When I’d moved a touch closer, he’d finally taken the hint, and his lips met mine.
They were warm, soft, and gentle, reminding me of perfect pillows.
He had the type of lips you’d never grow tired of kissing, the kind you set to memory so you’d never forget.
His tongue met mine, carefully at first, before putting a punch of passion behind it.
He tasted like pizza and sweet tea and something else that I can only think of as delicious man.
God, he’d made me go wild for him inside, my mind spinning, stomach flipping, core heating, and my heart beating… all for his kiss.
“I can’t believe you didn’t drag him inside and jump him,” my best friend comments, with a laugh. “If it’d been that long for me, you wouldn’t have seen him come up for air for at least a few days.”
I roll my eyes because, like I had been, she’s married, and has been for forever. Only I broke that curse, while she’s still stuck over there in love with her husband. “I wanted to, trust me.”
“I hear a silent but in there somewhere.”
She knows me too well.
“But he’s young and I want to take things slowly this time around.
I knew my ex for a few months before giving him all of me, and look where it led me.
I lost myself doing whatever I could to make him happy, and it made me beyond miserable.
This time around, if I’m going to be with someone, I want it to be for the right reasons.
I don’t want to lose the person I am, nor be forced to put up with someone ungrateful and unwilling to compromise on anything. ”
She knows a little about how poorly my ex was in our relationship, but I don’t think she knows to what depth.
By the time we divorced, I couldn’t stand him or his touch.
I wanted to not be anywhere near him and came up with whatever excuse I could find to not have to deal with his negativity.
The constant bitching about anything and everything, then coming to bed with the audacity of saying I wasn’t doing enough.
I did everything.
Fuck that, and fuck him.
“Which are?”
“That they make me happier than I can make myself. And just so we’re clear, I’m pretty damn happy alone in my own world being selfish.”
“I’m proud of you, and you have a heck of a good reason for feeling that type of way. I was all for you bouncing on a few rebounds after a long relationship, but you seem to have it figured out. I think you’re doing the right thing. I’m glad you had a good date. Do you want to see him again?”
“The best date, and you know what?”
“What?”
“It was only pizza and sweet tea. The entire evening was chill with no expectations. We got to know each other better, there was some flirting which I haven’t done in forever, and a great kiss to end the evening.”
“You deserve happiness after everything you’ve been through.”
“Thank you, I appreciate you saying that. We’ll see how it goes. JJ swears we need to have two dates next week, and it’s going to become our thing.”
“Two dates a week?”
“Yep.”
“Wait, JJ…What did you say his last name was?”
I shrug, then realize she can’t see me. “I didn’t. I don’t think he’s told me his last name yet.”
“Hmm, you should find out and let me know.”
“You gonna Facebook stalk him?”
She laughs. “Maybe a little digging would be good. I’m surprised you haven’t already done a deep dive and know all about this dude and everyone he comes in contact with.”
“The weird thing is, I haven’t even thought about it. You know I’ll go down the rabbit hole for anyone I find interesting to see what I can find on them, but something about him just hasn’t given me the itch to do it.”
“So then he’s given you the impression he’s genuine and trustworthy. You already trust him, and he’s new; that could be a good thing.”
I release a sigh, admitting, “Damn. I guess he has left those feelings behind. I’m so fucked.” I mutter, making her laugh again.
“Maybe, maybe not. Just promise me you’ll try to keep your eyes open if he’s already left this big of an imprint on you, okay?”
“I promise.”
“Okay, I miss you.”
“I miss you too, love you.”
“Love you too.” We hang up, and I immediately look through my calendar, counting the months until I’ll get to see her again.
I miss my best friend. I hate it that I only get to see her when we have a book signing or something of the sort to bring us together, but we’re both working our asses off with goals in mind.
I let my pups out, check on the garden for the third time today, and eventually make my way back inside.
I write a little in my current book and decide to start a new story as well.
This one takes place in a small town, and the heroine, a divorced forty-something, runs into a mountain man who sweeps her off her feet.
It’s snowy out, so he shovels her driveway one day, and another day, he gets her tires changed, then delivers her car back before she ever realizes it was gone.
I sigh. Because if only they made men like this in real life. I suppose that’s why I have to write them. That sort of caring, princess treatment is next level, and men have no idea how good they could have it if they spoiled us a little.
I end the night on a high note, take a shower to get the bucket of makeup off, and then hit the hay, crawling into my king-sized bed with my Dobies.
I’m exhausted and have insomnia all in the same breath, so I don’t end up passing out until three a.m., after I’d read half of a new vampire biker book I stumbled across.
Reaper’s Revenge, by Sapphire Knight. It was different with a spin on the whole vampire world.
I’m bleary-eyed as I peel myself out of bed the next day.
I use the restroom, half asleep and taking my time, before I grab a Dr. Pepper and a hat to let the dogs out.
It’s going to be bright and hot outside, so I won’t take my chances with being blinded this early as well.
I open the door so they can run out and handle their business, and manage to snag my phone from the counter where I had it charging, along with a pair of sunglasses.
I plop down in my chair on my makeshift patio, ready to scroll through my notifications, when I notice I have two missed texts.
Mountain Man Hottie: I had a great time on our date. Thank you for letting me take you out. I hope you sleep good tonight.
Mountain Man Hottie: Good morning, beautiful. Hope you keep cool on this hot day.
Both are light and sweet. Thoughtful. Is it because we’re new, or is this the real him?
Me: I had a great time too. The kiss wasn’t bad either. Hope you have a good time doing whatever it is you do at work.
How did I manage to forget to ask him about his job yesterday?
We were literally talking the entire time we weren’t chewing food, and I somehow missed diving into that subject.
Whatever he does, it must pay fairly decently because he has a nice truck, dresses well, and had no qualms flipping his wallet open to pay for our dinner.
Then he suggested we add on more dates, so he must have a bit of cash coming in from somewhere.
Not that I’m a gold digger. It’s the opposite, I’m not interested in a man for his money in the slightest. What I am worried about, however, is that I’m not stuck being a meal ticket, and he can support himself by himself.
I’m getting older, and I don’t want to be one of those people who are forced to retire at an old age.
Of course, I’ll continue to write my books as long as I’m able to, but I want it to be because I enjoy writing, not because I absolutely have no choice and need the money to eat my next meal.
JJ: I’m working out, lifting some weights. Still daydreaming about that kiss. SO. GOOD. What are you doing?
Watching my dogs poop, but I’m definitely not telling him that.
Me: Enjoying a Dr. Pepper, motivating myself to start my day and get some work done. Have fun lifting, you won’t catch me complaining about those arms.
He sends back a laughing emoji and a pink heart emoji. Does that mean we’re at the next level? Comfortable enough with each other to send emojis and let them speak for themselves?
Not gonna lie, I like it. I like it a lot.
Starting my day with a text from hottie pants is the way to go, as the excited flutters in my stomach are enough to wake me up and get me out of my normal morning grouchiness, which I fight through daily.
I’ve never been a morning person, and even waking up late, I still need an hour or two of quiet to collect my thoughts and dig out some energy to do anything productive.
These fucked up hormones my forties have blessed me with have created enough havoc inside me, yet they went ahead and added no energy to the mix as well.
Thank fuck for vitamins, I swear they’re helping me survive on the daily right now.