No, not just any palm. I love having hers pressed to mine.
The sun has just begun to set, unfurling streamers of pink and purple that lengthen and grow more intense with every passing second. At the instant we step onto Erica's porch, a light clicks on above our heads. It must be the sort that turns on automatically at sunset.
She unlocks the door and, facing me, grasps the knob with her free hand while keeping her other one around mine. "Want to come in?"
I thread my fingers through hers. "Best not."
Yes, I want to go inside with her more than anything. But I won't. Not tonight. I think I'm still in shock about the way she accepted my apology and forgave my horrible behavior.
"Please," she says, "I'd like you to come in."
"Not tonight." I relinquish her hand, brushing a kiss across her forehead. An idea hits me, and I hear myself saying, "We'll have a picnic tomorrow."
Her lips twitch as if she's trying to smile but too knackered to succeed at it. "Sure, sounds great."
Does she sound too cheerful about the prospect? Like she's forcing herself to want to accept my invitation? I'd rather not have her come on a picnic with me because she feels obligated, for whatever reason.
I squint at her. "Erica…"
"It's fine, go." She raises onto her tiptoes to kiss my cheek. "See you tomorrow."
Without looking back, she rushes into the house and slams the door.
She is angry with me, despite the fact she accepted my apology. I should apologize again, this time with the groveling I hadn't done the first time.
So I tap on the door. "Erica? Would you open the door, please?"
Nothing happens for a few seconds, then the door eases open. Erica stands there wearing a neutral expression.
I manage only a shaky smile. My nerves seem to have gotten the better of me because I'm feeling slightly anxious. "Thank you."
She closes her fingers around the doorknob. "You wanted something?"
I nod. "To apologize. I was unkind to you, and I regret it deeply."
"No big—"
I swing both hands up to cradle her face, skimming my thumbs over the corners of her lips, and bend my head until our foreheads touch. "That was no proper goodnight kiss."
She stands there perfectly still, like she's paralyzed, though I have no idea if it's good paralysis brought on by the surprise I've given her or the bad kind that requires a visit to the emergency room. Since she's still blinking and breathing, I decide it's the former.
Erica's breaths tickle my face.
Canine claws click on the bare floor behind her.
I tip her head back slightly, a millimeter away from kissing her.
That's when Casey appears beside her. He pants and chuffs softly.
I reach down with one hand to pat the pup's head. He slathers Erica's hand with his tongue in what I take for canine kisses. I want my tongue on her body, not the pup's.
Then Erica licks her lips in one long, sensuous glide, and I forget all about the ruddy dog.
I sling an arm around her waist, tugging her out of the threshold, and shut the door in Casey's face. My lips descend on hers, pressing into them, though I have no intention of deepening the kiss. I keep it tender and deliberate, exploring her lips without demanding anything in return. Her lips relax, and her mouth opens for me, but I summon all my self-control to stop myself from ravishing her with a searing kiss, simply skating my lips across hers before I raise my head.
Erica blinks up at me, her cheeks pink.
"Sleep well, bonnie Erica." I tuck a wayward strand of hair behind her ear. "And good night."