Page 78 of That Next Moment
“Come on.” I laughed. “This is the easiest thing.”
“No, it’s not.” She leaned forward on her knees, sending me a death glare, keeping her laugh at bay. “No other word goes with cushion. It’s not ‘cold’ because, well, that wouldn’t make any sense at all, and it’s not ‘Africa.’ I mean, it could be because therearecushions in Africa, and it’s not ‘novel’ well. . .” she trailed off again, sitting up straighter, keeping her hands firmly on her knees. “Maddy has tons of cushions that she lays with while she reads. . .”
“Phe.” I laughed.
“Give me another clue.”
I shook my head.
“Come on Clay, please.Cushionliterally only went with ‘cat.’”
“Think, really hard. You of all people should know this. It’s become a thing with us, and it’s hurting my soul that you haven't guessed it yet.” I slouched, resting my elbow on my knee, placing the key card face down on the sofa next to me so she couldn’t see it. She had to guess it. It was clear as day.
“Can I phone a friend?” she asked, hope in her eye.
I shook my head. “Absolutely not.”
“Clayton,” she snapped. “If you don’t tell me, you can kiss your goodnight kiss goodbye.”
“Seriously?”Now that's not happening.She leaned back on the couch and folded her arms, crossing her legs, her gaze purposefully avoiding me as she tilted her chin.God, she was gorgeous when she pouted.
“Oh, yeah. No, that’s not happening.” I stood, and took the three steps around the coffee table, loving the small squeal she gave as I towered over her, my hands on either side of her on the back of the couch, looking down on her as heat traveled through my body. “I will be getting that kiss, and if you deny it when I leave, then I’m taking it now.”
I leaned down, closing the inches between us when she placed her fingers on my lips, stopping me from moving any farther.
“Just tell me the word, and I’ll kiss you for the rest of the night,” she whispered.
I exhaled. “Pins,” I whispered.
“Shit, really?” Ophelia’s eyes widened, and she moved me to the side, leaning forward again to look at the words. She scoffed and laughed at herself. “Would you believe me if I had told you I didn’t even see that word?” she asked, her voice light from the laughter as she leaned back into the couch, facing me.
“No.” I smiled. “I’m your designated pin cushion holder, so when I saw that word, I knew you would get it like that.” I snapped. “But I guess this game is just a little too much for you.”
“You failed at ‘evil,’ may I remind you.” Her eyes widened.
My smile only grew. “I’m better with numbers.”
Narrowing her eyes, she shook her head at my stupidity. “What else are you better at?”
“Depends,” I whispered. “Do I get that goodnight kiss?”
To answer me, she placed her palm on my chest, her fingers kneading their way up to my collar. She laced her fingers around the fabric and pulled me to her. This kiss was the one I wanted since I saw her the first night at dinner, the one I dreamed about, the one I remembered from so long ago. This kiss was meant for me, and me alone. Shivers ran up my spine as I scooted closer to her, my hands finding her body even with my eyes closed. They knew just where to go, where she wanted to be touched.
I caressed her jaw, slowly moving to her neck and shoulders. I ran my fingers down her arms, feeling her goosebumps rise as our lips never broke contact. The tips of my fingers grazed her thigh as she broke the kiss, moving swiftly in one fluid motion so she was on my lap, leaning back down to my lips in a second. Her hands began to roam my body, her fingers playing and tugging with the buttons of my shirt, and once her fingers grazed my skin, I had a sharp inhale of breath, Ophelia awarding me with a smile.
Our lips moved together. Our tongues found each other and teased. Our breathing and heartbeats synced as we moved the way we used to. I moved, my lips finding her neck and collarbone, Ophelia raising her head as gasping, sending more heat through my body. She moved against me, and I was a goner.
“Oh, Clay. I can feel you,” she moaned into my ear, her fingers running through my hair as I kissed her skin. “Ifeelyou.”
“I’ve missed you.” I raised my chin to look at her. She was even more beautiful in the moment, if that was possible. Her dark skin glistened as the fire rose in her. I kissed her chin and ran my thumb along her jawline. “I can’t tell you how much I’ve missed you.” I kissed her lips, her breath stopping as it deepened.
Ophelia was the one thing that made sense to me. Everything else fell into place because of her, and I wasn’t going to let everything shatter again.No more regrets.
Chapter Thirty
-Ophelia-
My mind swam as Clay kissed me, his hands finding every part of me that used to bring me to life, and I was happy to report they still did. I had been touched like this plenty of times before, but with Clay it was different. His hands belonged to my body. Even fully dressed, his hands were meant for me.