“I’ve seen better.” I press my lips together.
“I knew it. I look like some ogre.”
“Ogres are green.”
“Well, then… I don’t know. What monster is red?” Her eyes are wild with worry.
“Take a deep breath, Lizzy.” I grab her shoulders, remembering the way she freaked out when we got locked in the supply closet.
Suddenly, I want to hug her again, hold her to me, kiss the worry off her face and swallow it so she can go back to being a bright and colorful rainbow full of hope.
“I’m trying.”
“It’ll be healed before you know it,” I whisper, holding the side of her face before I can stop myself. My thumb brushes her cheek as I soothe her.
“I hope so.” She croaks.
I may have told Lizzy’s mom that her daughter and I are just friends, but everything I feel about her bypasses friendly territory into heady and needy. What I’d give to lift her up until her legs are wrapped around me and take her lips in mine to see if they taste sweet like the cotton candy I saw her eating earlier. I want to see if we fit together the way I fantasize about.
“Nate,” she whispers.
“Yeah?” I look into her eyes, getting a read on what she’s thinking but I can’t figure it out, too consumed by lust.
“You’re not Mr. Hot Deputy anymore, you’re Mr.PackingDeputy.”
“What?” I look down between us, dumbfounded. At some point, I pressed us together, and she’s clearly feeling the effects of what my mind is imagining.
“Shit.” I step back. “I’m sorry.”
Lizzy laughs, but her cheeks flame and it’s nothing to do with the rash. Something comes over me, and I stalk toward her, grab her face with both hands, and I smash my lips to hers.
I have to see if kissing her would be as good as I imagined.
No more pretending.
I need to taste her, and it’s heaven on earth when she kisses me back, gripping the front of my shirt.
“Finally,” she whispers against my lips before flushing her body to mine.
Every rule I’ve written for myself flies out the window as we devour each other in this tiny bathroom. A sense of belonging enters me, and I wonder how I ever lived without this. Up until now, I’ve met women, but I’ve maintained a very clear line about where I stand. Relationships only hurt people.
Lizzy has done something to me. Or maybe it’s Emerald Bay in general that has captivated me.
Whatever it is, I wonder if Brooke has a point. I shouldn’t imprison myself and lose out on actually living.
With her hands still on my shirt, she leans her head back and stares into my eyes.
“Was that a bad idea?” She chews on her bottom lip.
“It was horrible, but I like trouble every now and then.” I smirk and stroke my fingers over her skin.
“It’d be more romantic if I didn’t look like I was transforming into a reptile,” she adds.
I laugh and shake my head. “I think romance left the room when I kissed you in a bathroom.”
“That is true.” She nods, pensive. “I guess you’re going to have to get a redo some other time and make up for it.” She winks and releases my shirt, smoothing the fabric as if that will undo what we did. My body is coiled from that kiss. Fixing my shirt isn’t going to make me forget.
“Fuck, Lizzy.” I step back, running a hand through my hair and down my face.