Chapter 11 #2
“Yeah, Birdie, baby?”
Her cheeks flush crimson. “Is now a bad time to mention I’ve never kissed anyone before?”
Holy shit.
I trace my finger along her lower lip. “In that case, we’d better make it a good one.”
I can’t believe I’m lucky enough to be the one she’s going to share all her firsts with, even the ones that seem so small but feel monumental. On the outside, I manage to keep my expression neutral, but inside, my heart is pounding out of control, and I’m determined not to fuck this up.
Birdie’s mouth parts slightly. “You’ll show me how to do it, right?”
“Of course. Just follow my lead, okay?”
She nods as I lean in slowly, until our mouths are just shy of touching, leaving the remaining distance for her to bridge when she’s ready. Her uneven breath grazes my cheek as she subtly shifts closer, her desire unmistakable.
Just when I think she might panic and withdraw, she surprises me by brushing her mouth against the corner of my lips.
My grip tightens on her waist, holding her to me as she kisses me again in the same spot.
This time, she lingers a second longer, as if she’s testing the waters.
I stay perfectly still, despite my cock already standing at attention.
Tonight is all about Birdie and making sure her introduction to kissing is nothing short of perfect.
A third kiss lands squarely on my mouth, a gentle exploration that makes me release a soft groan. God, her lips are like velvet. She shifts back a fraction, eyes locking on mine. Fuck, the way she looks at me for reassurance winds my desire like a spring in my chest.
I move my other hand from her waist so both are framing her face. “That was very good… although I’m going to need a second demonstration to be sure it wasn’t a fluke.”
She licks her lips. “Practice makes perfect, right?”
“My thoughts exactly.”
I tilt her head slightly and kiss her again, mirroring her curiosity earlier.
She threads her fingers in my hair as she explores my mouth with determination.
Birdie slips her tongue against mine, letting out a throaty moan.
I respond in kind, tracing hers in a teasing rhythm.
Her grip in my hair tightens as she molds her mouth to mine, her movements growing bolder with each pass.
As far as I’m concerned, every kiss I’ve had before this was erased out of existence the moment Birdie’s lips touched mine.
When she finally pulls back, her lips are swollen, and a faint pink tints her cheeks. “Sorry. I might have gotten a little carried away.”
I shake my head, stroking her cheek. “You were perfect.”
A rosy flush spreads across her cheeks. “Really?”
I rest my forehead against hers, briefly closing my eyes as I breathe in her sweet scent. “That was by far the best damn kiss I’ve ever had.”
If I thought I’d royally fucked up our friendship before, I’m certain of it now.
Brief conversations with her at the feedstore and stolen glimpses when she’s with her friends won’t cut it anymore.
Now that I’ve had her lips on mine and felt how hot the chemistry burns between us, I’m going to need that every damn day for as long as she’ll have me.
Hell, for as long as we both shall live would work too—but I’m getting ahead of myself.
First, I have to help Birdie see that we belong together and no one will ever be capable of loving her the way I could if she’d let me.
“I better go to bed soon,” she whispers against my lips. “Tomorrow’s going to be a busy day.”
I nod, reluctantly releasing my hold on her face. As much as I hate to let her go, I agree she deserves a good night’s rest.
She stands up, and I follow her across the porch.
“I’ll wait here until you’re inside.”
Birdie laughs softly as she opens the door and steps through, glancing back with a grin. “Satisfied?”
“Knowing you’re safe in your house? Absolutely.”
“Good night,” she murmurs, her gaze glued to mine as she shuts the door behind her.
I stay where I am, ears straining, and let out a sigh when the click of the deadbolt never comes.
“Birdie,” I call out.
“Hmm?” she answers almost instantly.
“I’m not leaving until you lock the door.”
“Oh, right. I forgot.” Her voice goes up an octave, followed by the sound of the locking mechanism.
When her footsteps fade from the entryway, I take it as my cue to leave. The only thing that eases the sting of walking away is the promise of more time with her later to explore our undeniable chemistry.
A sharp cluck startles me from my thoughts, and I spin around to see a chicken on the porch steps, staring at me. Could this be the infamous Nugget?
I crouch to her level. “You shouldn’t be wandering around at night, little lady. You could become someone’s midnight snack.”
Considering all the creatures Birdie likely has roaming her property, I’m guessing at least one would see Nugget as a tasty treat, and I’d rather not have to explain to Birdie what happened if she goes missing tonight. The least I can do is get her to bed safely.
I extend my hand, letting out a soft whistle to coax Nugget over, but she refuses, pacing back and forth on the step, letting out a disgruntled cluck and fluffing her feathers as she sizes me up like she’s debating if she can take me on.
I reach out to scoop her up, but at the last second, she flaps her wings and sails over my shoulder.
Glancing back, I see her waddling toward the house and disappearing through the doggy door.
I should’ve figured Birdie would let her sleep inside.
I’ll give credit where it’s due—Nugget is gutsy, and I might’ve underestimated how she’d fare against a prowling fox or sneaky raccoon.
I shake my head, chuckling. “Good night, little lady,” I call out after her as I head down the porch steps.
One thing is certain: life with Birdie is unpredictable, and I wouldn’t trade a single chaotic second.