Chapter 25 Ruth
twenty-five
Ruth
I’ve stopped in front of my hotel door that Bill has walked me right up to.
“Never mind,” I whisper into his lips that are nearly touching mine, but it sounds weak even to me.
“This whole trip and everything about it was a mistake.” I half laugh, but real doubts are sinking in, as my heart hasn’t slowed in hours.
“Call it whatever you want, but I don’t believe for a second you think it’s a mistake.” Bill leans closer and rasps as his gaze flicks to my lips.
Judging from the way his hand is parked on my hip like he owns it, he’s feeling the magnetism I am. Instead of fighting it, I tilt my chin up, teasing him, “Maybe it’s fine.”
His smile tugs into one I’ve never seen before.
It’s a mixture of something mischievous and confused.
“Just fine?” he whispers, and his voice comes out rough.
Without waiting for a reply, he shifts his weight, removing his hand from my hip and placing it on the door behind me.
It’s no longer touching me, but I feel it like a spark above me.
My heart races.
My stomach loops into an endless spiral.
I’m not this person.
I’m not this woman who gets caught up in the romanticism of a beautiful city and these warm kisses and soft touches. Somehow, I’ve turned into a puddle of jelly.
His gaze softens. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing is wrong, but I should go inside and go to bed.”
He nods, just once.
His feet stay firmly planted on the floor, and the corners of his mouth twitch like he knows there’s a punchline coming. “Then go inside,” he says, his voice steady. “We can meet up in the morning.”
I can see the sincerity in his eyes that he’ll do whatever I ask him to. It makes the last lingering crust of my shield crumble to the ground. I never expected to meet a man like Bill.
Heaven knows, I’ve resisted.
At this moment nothing feels more right.
“I will,” I say in a concealed voice as I lean back to him and whisper, “Just one more kiss.” I lift my hand, hesitating for half a second before curling my fingers into the front of his jacket and pulling him to me.
His eyes drop to my lips, and his mouth tightens around mine.
I’m gone.
Maybe this was a mistake to come here, but it’s too late to take it back. I’m so hopelessly falling in love with him.
Our lips melt together, and I rise on my toes as his hand slides around to the back of my neck, the other grips my waist again as he draws me to him. The way he kisses me is like he’s trying to erase every second I’ve pretended I didn’t want this.
When we finally break apart, my heart hammers in my throat. I don’t move, but I manage to whisper, “Whatever happens, just don’t break me.”
His forehead slides in to touch mine, and he brushes a hand over the side of my cheek. “I won’t.” He stares deeply into my eyes as he drops another soft kiss on my forehead and backs away before I ask him to. “I’m saying goodnight now. See you in the morning, Ruth.”
The breath that leaks out is heavy as he turns away. I unlock my door and slide into the dark room with so many emotions pounding in my chest, the strongest one being…I’m falling so hard, and it’s way too late to stop it.