Page 34 of Melting for the Firefighter
“Smart.”
Her fingers move to the waist of her dress, tugging at the fabric.
“He said things about my body. People laughed. I decided men were easier to avoid.”
I catch her hand before she can pull the dress away from herself.
“Look at me.”
She does.
“There is nothing about your body a man should laugh at.”
Color moves across her cheeks.
I step closer.
“Your hair drives me out of my mind. Your eyes make me forget what I was saying. Every dress you own fits curves I have spent two years trying not to touch.”
Her lips part.
“Two years?”
Too late to take it back.
“Since the first time I walked into your shop.”
“Why did you stay away?”
“Distance felt safer.”
“Does it still?”
“No.”
Nothing about her feels safe.
I have never wanted anything enough to lose control of it.
Until now.
I cup her face.
“Tell me to stop before this goes too far.”
Her eyes stay on mine.
“I don’t want you to stop.”
I kiss her.
Her mouth is soft and sweet.
She makes a quiet sound and grips my shirt.
The control I have held for two years slips.
I angle her head and take the kiss deeper.
