Chapter 13 #2
Unspoken tension arose, as Gen continued to eye him, and he eyed her, and his heartstrings pulled tight.
He had to get her alone. Now. He paid and escorted her outside.
The waterfront was lined with piers and seafood shacks and restaurants, and nearby, the Seattle Great Wheel was illuminated with hundreds of twinkling lights.
The night was mild enough for strolling, and he took advantage of Gen’s shiver to wrap an arm around her shoulders.
“Is this okay?”
She nodded, and tucked in closer, and he matched her pace as they strolled toward the park.
This section of downtown didn’t have much green space along the waterfront, so he’d take what he could find.
And he sensed he needed to find something living, something that reminded her of former days, in their old small town surrounded by trees, before life and change and regrets had gotten in the way.
He paused in a shadowed corner, shifting to face her, to hold her hands, as the illuminations of the wheel drew shadows and glimmers of light over her face.
“Gen, I meant what I said before. I’d really like to be more than friends with you.
At the wedding yesterday, I was surrounded by all these happy couples, and all I could think about was how much time we’d wasted.
We could’ve had ten years together, but I didn’t trust us at the time to think we could have coped with being apart for so long. But we could’ve, couldn’t we?”
She nodded, her heart in her eyes. “I’d always thought so.”
“You never said.”
“I… I guess I thought you wanted hockey more than me.”
“Oh, Gen, no.” He smoothed her hair, reveling in its softness. “I’ve always wanted you.”
The noise around them abated. It was only her, only him, and these important words he needed to say to send the doubt in her eyes fleeing.
That internal ping was quieter now, which made it easier to say, “I’d like a second chance with you. To date you. See if we can make this work for good this time.”
“I’d like that too, but—”
No. He didn’t want to hear her excuse. Just knew this was the time to find out once and for all. So he leaned down and, after hesitating a moment, just long enough for her to pull away if she preferred, he brushed her lips with his.
* * *
Gen closed her eyes as heat flushed her skin and tingles spread through her body. Oh, his kiss held magic still, and she was suddenly greedy for more.
What would it hurt to lose herself in his kiss? To take this moment and revel in being chosen by Kyle, in being wanted by Kyle. He’d made it clear he still found her attractive, and her heart was hungry for approval.
And yes, she still needed to confess everything, but for this moment, anyway, she’d pretend it was as simple as two former lovers finding each other again at long last.
Her hands slid to his jaw, and she savored the rough texture, before tugging his head closer. Her lips parted, she heard his sigh, felt it through his chest which was pressed against hers, and was soon slipping into deep deliciousness.
“Gen,” he groaned. “I don’t think I could ever stop loving you.”
Oh, she felt the same. “I could kiss you forever.”
He tugged her nearer, so she was flush against him, with no chance of starlight getting between, until a giggle drew awareness they were in public.
She drew back, pressed fingers to her throbbing lips. Knew she had something akin to gravel rash on her chin where his whiskers had abraded her skin.
“Gen, I…” Kyle blinked, looking as dazed as she felt. “That was amazing. You’re amazing.”
She shook her head. No, she was foolish. She needed to tell him about Bella, but now after kissing him, everything felt more complicated. What was she supposed to say, anyway?
Hey Kyle, remember that night we had together? There was an unexpected consequence. Her name is Bella.
Or Hey Kyle, I could kiss you forever but you need to know there’s someone you should meet first. Your daughter.
Yeah, that’d go down well.
Oh, what could she say?
“Kyle, I—”
He swallowed up the rest of her words with his kiss, and she quickly sank into it again. Oh, what would it matter if she held out a few more days? What would it matter if she made the most of this time with him now, especially as there was no guarantee there’d be any affection after she told him?
She pressed closer, her hand sliding down his front.
“Gen,” he rasped as he gripped her hand. “No.”
“We could go back to your place—”
He groaned and wrenched away, his eyes heavy-lidded as he studied her. “I’d love to do that but it’d be a mistake.”
“Why?”
He exhaled heavily. “I… I’m not even sure why right now, because all of this feels so right, but I don’t want to get carried away. Not when we still need to figure out some things.”
Guilt hummed through her body. So true.
“You’re just too easy to kiss.”
“Ditto.”
His look was deep as he studied her. Then he leaned forward, touched her chin. “I’m sorry for making that red.”
She clutched his hand, pressed a kiss to his fingers. Yes, there’d be some explaining to do once Mom caught sight of it.
“We should go soon. You’re working tomorrow, right?”
Darn. Yes, she was.
She shivered, and he immediately drew near, hugging her tight until she finally relaxed.
“We can make this work,” he murmured in her ear. “I promise.”
She nodded, keeping the words she knew needed to be said locked inside.
Kyle might promise all he liked, but until she told him the truth about Bella, this relationship was an illusion.
And she was okay with that, just for a moment longer. She closed her eyes as he rested his chin on her head, and held her near.
She couldn’t lose this connection. There’d be time enough for uncomfortable truths. But she couldn’t spoil this. Not yet.