Free Beyond Repair by Kelly Lincoln Page B

mouth and kicked the door shut as he deepened the kiss.
    I didn’t realize I was pulling on him so hard that we were moving until the back of my legs hit the kitchen cabinets. He panted as he pulled away, his eyes traveling from me to the counter for a split second. In the next instant, his hands were on my hips, and I gasped in surprise as I found myself seated on the counter, with my legs dangling over the edge. Now that our height difference wasn’t as extreme, he leaned in and wrapped his arms around me, holding me tightly against him as he branded my mouth with his hot tongue. I gripped his upper arms, savoring the feel of him against me as I glided my tongue against his.
    Chris felt so good , everything about him. His hard chest, his tight arms, those big hands pressing into my back, pinning me against him. But my favorite thing was his mouth exploring mine, needy and giving at the same time.
    I seriously have no frigging idea how long I sat on my kitchen counter, holding onto Chris as if I were lost in the dark and he was the one sliver of light I could hang onto. My senses were in overdrive. He kept letting out groans so soft I could barely hear them, he tasted like cinnamon Altoids, and I could smell his soap and the sawdust. One of his hands had moved up and was rubbing the back of my head, adding shockwaves to my body with each stroke.
    Finally, we broke apart, panting for breath as we stared at each other. His eyes were clouded over, dazed and content.
    “Finally …” He let out with a shaking breath. “I’ve wanted to do that every time I was with you and …” He stopped, lips turning down as he finished his thought. “And I needed something good to happen today.”
    My heart ached for him. He was upset about his brother, and I couldn’t say anything to make him feel better. I reached over and put my fingers in his hair, gently massaging the back of his head. The vulnerable look I knew he was trying so hard to control made its way to his face. He finally shook his head. “How can I be sad after what just happened?”
    “You miss your brother; of course you’re sad.” I pulled him toward me and kissed him lightly. “You don’t have to pretend with me.”
    His arm tightened around me, and he used his other hand to push my hair out of my face. “Can we go out sometime soon?” He brushed my bottom lip with his thumb. “This is me asking you in advance, not showing up at your door and catching you off guard.” He winced. “For what would be the third time in less than two weeks.”
    “You can catch me off guard anytime.” My voice was hoarse and totally exposing my feelings, but I didn’t give a shit at all.
    Pink crept up to his face as he gave me his uneven smile. I gazed at him, not caring that I probably looked like a lovesick idiot. He moved his thumb against my lip again and I sighed. “I would love to go out with you.”
    * * *
    “Do you have any idea what time it is?” Zoey snapped as she answered the phone.
    Frowning, I glanced at the digital clock on my cable box. “You’re giving me crap for calling you at nine thirty?”
    “This is my special time when I have no one in my face and I drink wine and watch crappy reality TV.”
    “I’m so sorry; I didn’t realize that Soccer Moms renewed for another season.” She did have a good idea with the wine, though. I made my way to the kitchen and pulled a bottle I had opened a couple of nights ago from the refrigerator.
    “Watch it once! Then we’ll talk.” She was so protective of her reality TV friends.
    I bit my lip to hold back my laughter as I held up the bottle to eye level. After verifying that the thin brown thread I had tied around the bottle after the last time I drank was intact, I snapped it apart and pulled the cork out. “Well, I have something to tell you about me and Chris. But listen, I totally understand if listening to ladies fighting with each other outside of their minivans is more inter—”
    “No, no!”