Total pages in book: 89
Estimated words: 83355 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 417(@200wpm)___ 333(@250wpm)___ 278(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 83355 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 417(@200wpm)___ 333(@250wpm)___ 278(@300wpm)
I hit the cold surface first, a dull thud reverberating through me. Willa lands on top of me, her weight cushioned by my body. The impact forces the air out of my lungs, but the sensation of her warmth against me quickly overrides any discomfort as we slide to a stop.
For a moment, everything is still. Her face is inches away, her breath mingling with mine in the cold air. Her eyes, wide with surprise, lock onto mine. Time seems to slow down, and all I can think about is how close she is, how perfect this moment feels despite our clumsy fall.
Without thinking, I lift my hand and gently place it behind her head, my fingers tangling in her hair. I feel the silkiness of it, and my heart races at the intimacy of the touch. Her eyes soften, and I can see the same emotions reflected in them—the surprise and undeniable attraction.
Slowly, I bring her face down to mine. Her lips are supple and warm, a gentle pressure that sends a jolt of electricity through my entire body. It’s a tender kiss, exploratory and sweet, yet it ignites something deep within. I feel her respond, her lips moving gently and following my lead, and it feels like the most natural thing in the world.
My heart pounds in my chest, and I can’t help but think how wonderful this is, how right it feels to be here with her like this. Her hands rest on my chest and I know she can feel my heartbeat thrumming. The kiss deepens slightly, our lips moving in perfect harmony, but I keep it tender with just the promise of something more.
When we finally pull back, her eyes are closed, her lips slightly parted. I take a moment to memorize the way she looks, the way she feels in my arms. When her eyes flutter open, they meet mine with a mixture of wonder.
“That was…,” she begins, her voice barely a whisper, but it trails off as if she can’t put into words the wonder of it.
I can only agree with the sentiment. “Yeah… it was.”
She smiles, a rosy blush spreading across her cheeks. “You’re not too bad at this,” she says playfully, her eyes twinkling.
I chuckle, brushing a strand of hair from her face. “I could say the same about you.”
Despite the cold ice seeping through my clothes, Willa’s body on top of mine warms me through and through. She’s all soft curves that feel heavenly against me and I know if we kiss again, my body will react in a way that could be embarrassing.
So I make the move to break the connection, helping Willa up from the ice. I don’t let her hand go, instead entwining my fingers with hers as I lead her over to the bench.
“You hungry?” I ask, opening the wooden gate so she can step through.
“Starved,” she admits, plopping down with the picnic basket between us.
I set out the food: a variety of cheeses, fresh baguettes, an assortment of cured meats, a colorful fruit salad, and a couple of decadent-looking chocolate tarts for dessert. I uncork the wine and pour us each a glass, handing one to Willa with a smile.
I raise my glass and look into her eyes. “To our first date. I think it’s going so well that I already know I want a second.”
Her smile widens, and she clinks her glass against mine. “If you asked, I don’t think I’d say no.”
We eat on the bench, the ice rink glowing warmly around us. The food is delicious, and the wine adds a pleasant warmth to the cool atmosphere.
Willa looks at me thoughtfully. “So, tell me about your first relationship. You said you only had the one?”
I nod, sipping my wine. “Her name’s Emily. We started dating in high school and stayed together through my time in the juniors and minors. Then she moved to Houston with me when I got called up to the Jam. We were serious—first love and all that. But the pressures of my professional career were hard on her, and we eventually broke up. I guess it just wasn’t meant to be.”
Willa nods, her eyes understanding. “And you haven’t dated anyone since then?”
I shake my head. “I loved being in a committed relationship, but I’ve been focused on my career. No one has really interested me.”
“Until now,” she says, glancing down at the cracker in her hand.
“Until you,” I confirm.
Willa’s gaze slowly rises to meet mine. “My marriage to Scott was… not good. It ended horribly and as you know, I made a huge mistake in marrying him. It makes me—”
“Cautious?” I guess.
“It makes me different,” she says, and I cock my head in question. “Right now, I’m not interested in getting serious with anyone. My marriage was so suffocating, I felt like I was in a prison. Now that I’m free…” She looks down and shrugs. “I guess I just want to stay free.” Her eyes come up to meet mine. “I just want… casual.”