Swiftly, she vanishes inside the house, and I shift my eyes away, scanning the backyard.
Strings of lights dangle from the trees while lit candles sit on the table and the edge of the pool.
“Do you want a drink?” she asks.
“Sure,” I say, swiveling my head to her.
She slides the plates of food on the table.
“Mmm...That looks good.”
I flick my eyes up.
“I did it,” she says proudly.
She shifts to the side and brings a bottle of wine to the table.
“I’ll do it,” I say, tipping my chin and motioning to her to take a seat.
“You look lovely,” I murmur, handling the wine and pouring it into the glasses.
“So do you.”
“Are you blushing?”
“Mind your own business,” she says, unfolding a napkin and placing it on her lap.
I laugh.
Her lips curve into a grin.
“Don’t make me regret that I invited you over.”
“You won’t regret it, baby,” I say, handing her a glass of wine. “To us,” I say, raising my glass and locking her eyes.
She studies my eyes as we clink our glasses.
“To us,” she says softly before kissing me.
On my lips.
She pulls away slightly.
I look at her, surprised.
She brings her hand to my face and slowly brushes my lips with her thumb, her eyes following the motion before flicking up at me.
“Good to know that I can still take you by surprise,” she murmurs, beginning to pull away for good.
I cuff her wrist and keep her still.
Her fingers stay on my face as, and without a word, I wrap my hand around her neck and crush her lips.
She grabs my neck and threads her fingers through my hair while I nudge her lips apart.
She shudders, and I break the kiss.
Dazed, she touches my lips again.