Free Lost To Me by Jamie Blair Page B

now,” I whispered and slid by her. “Sorry it took so long, there was a huge line.” I handed her a giant box of peanut M&Ms and a large Diet Coke. Then, put my glasses on and probably looked like an idiot. But she smiled and took my hand.
     
    Halfway through the movie, I put my arm around her. She leaned into me. My hand came to a rest under her arm, and I caressed her side with my thumb. A few times, my thumb slid over the side of her breast, and she held her breath, only exhaling when my thumb slid back down her side. I swore I could feel her blood pumping and rushing under my hand. She fluttered nervously, like a tiny bird, but never moved away.
     
    When the movie ended, we had to walk all the way back down the nature trail and through the other building with the otters, to get to my car. By the time we pulled out of the parking lot, it was late afternoon.
     
    It was time for part two of my plan for the day. “Let’s go to my house. Kyle had a doctor’s appointment in Richmond. He and my mom won’t be back until later. We can hang out, and I have something to show you.”
     
    Knowing my house would be empty sent a nervous thrill through her that I felt holding her hand. I saw it on her face, and in her eyes - a mixed cocktail of equal parts anxiety and eager anticipation. “Okay,” she stammered.
     
    I parked on the cement slab under the hoop and went around to open her door. Unable to wait one second longer to touch her, I pressed her against the car and kissed her with needful, hungry lips.
     
    Her hands pulled me to her, pressed against my lower back, then slid into the back pockets of my shorts. On fire, my lips slid to her ear and down her neck.
     
    Before it got entirely too heated for her, I stopped and wrapped my arms around her. “I’ve been dying to do that all day.” I felt laughter in my chest as I squeezed her. God, she made me happy.
     
    “Me too.” She stood on tip toe and kissed me again.
     
    I took her hand and pulled her toward the house. “Come on. All you’ve had to eat today are M&Ms. You have to be starving.”
     
    “Ravenous,” she said, smiling.
     
    I’d made sure the house was immaculate, cleaning in the early hours of the morning. None of the everyday clutter, which piles up, sat on the table or countertops. The floors had vacuum lines in the carpet, and I’d placed fresh flowers in a vase on the table.
     
    I watched her as she took it all in. It looked a lot different than the last time she’d been there. “I cleaned up for you. I hoped you’d come over again if my crazy family was gone.”
     
    Her eyes turned to pity, and I hated it. “Kolton, I would’ve come over again if they were here. It’s fine. I understand.”
     
    I turned my eyes to the countertop, embarrassed. Beside me, she reached up and ran her fingers through my hair.
     
    “I like it better this way,” I said. “It can be normal.” Nobody would have a raging fit while she was there this time. Nobody would flit around the house and make her feel unwelcome. This time it was only the two of us, and I could make it perfect.
     
    She bent a little and peeked under my hung head. Then, came up under my face and placed her lips very gently against mine. I didn’t move.  I let her kiss me over and over before I slowly took her into my arms. Our lips parted, and the kiss deepened. She was all I’d ever need.
     
    “I don’t know where you came from, but you’re an answer to several hundred prayers.” I held her tight against me, one hand on the back of her head, the other around her waist.
     
     
     
    While the spaghetti was boiling, I gave Lauren a tour of the house. In my room, I followed her eyes as they roamed to my double bed with the blue blanket, to my desk with the flashing red light on the PC, finally resting on the little black ball of fur that crawled out from the closet.
     
    “You’re keeping him!” She scooped the kitten up in her arms and stuck her nose in his