Finally My Forever by Brooke St. James Page B

whole church isn't staring right at us."
    The next thing I knew, he grabbed me by the arm, and began dragging me toward the back of the cider mill.

 
    Chapter 12
     
     
    One second, I was standing next to an old, wooden building with Micah, and the next, I was being pulled around to the back of it. There were some trees and shrubs behind there, but we were still somewhat exposed—especially to people in the distance, near the entrance of the corn maze.
    "I don't know what you think you're doing," I whispered as he marched me back there.
    He stopped and turned to face me once we rounded the corner. The sounds of music, children playing, and people talking were barely audible over the pounding of my own heart. He stared down at me with a slight smile. Both of us were somewhat breathless.
    "This is not private," I said, gesturing to the big open space behind me. "Someone can come back here any second."
    "We better hurry then," he said.
    I gave him a challenging glare. "Are you serious right now?"
    "I'm quite serious," he said. "Do I still have permission?"
    I smiled. "You're hilarious."
    He cupped his hand around my jaw and patiently scanned my face. "You’re beautiful."
    I glanced down shyly. I should've just taken the compliment, but I got nervous and had to go and say something funny.
    "It has been a long time," I said. "You're probably just desperate."
    He ignored my comment, and instead just looked at me with a subtle smirk. He stared down at me for a long time, taking in every inch of my face. I had no idea what in the world he was thinking, so I started talking again when I should have probably just kept my mouth shut. "If we go through with this, I want you to know I'm okay with acting like it never happened."
    He cocked his head at me and stared through narrowed eyes. "What do you mean if we go through with it?"
    His hand was still on my cheek, and the warmth of it caused a shiver to run down my spine. I was out of my mind with nerves and anticipation. I took in the curve of his beautiful lips wondering what they would feel like when they touched mine.
    "I'm gonna kiss you now, Carly."
    He hesitated for a second, so I said, "Okay."
    He stepped closer. I watched as he licked his lips before ducking to put them next to mine.
    "It's been a long time," he whispered, his words creating little puffs of air against my mouth.
    "I know," I whispered back.
    I saw his chest rise and fall as he took a deep breath.
    "We don't have to," I said, breathlessly.
    "Stop trying to get out of it," he whispered with a grin. "I'm just taking it all in."
    "You're gonna get us caught if you don't hurry," I whispered.
    "You're gonna force me to take longer if you keep arguing."
    I smiled and when I did, he put his lips on mine. It was torturously gentle. The only places we made contact were his hand on my cheek and his lips on mine, and both of them were barely there.
    I closed my eyes and nudged forward ever so slightly. For a few glorious seconds, I enjoyed the feel of his lips on mine. It was at least as wonderful as I imagined. An ache formed deep in my gut and my blood turned to warm honey. I felt like I could melt.
    Seconds later, Micah breathed in through his nose as he broke the contact.
    I opened my eyes, assuming we were done. It was one tiny little kiss, and I felt weak and spent. I could see by the rise and fall of his chest that he was struggling to catch his breath too. I wondered if he felt the same sensations I felt.
    "Yeah, that's not gonna be enough," he whispered.
    "What do you mean?"
    But before I could even finish the question, he put his lips on mine. It was a warm, flawless kiss that lasted only a split second before he pulled back again.
    "I'm sorry," he whispered.
    Another gentle kiss.
    "Now that I've started."
    Another one.
    "I can't seem to stop."
    And just then, just as I was utterly lost in the dream of having Micah Bennett's lips on mine, again and again, I heard my name being yelled.
    "Carlyyyyy!" I knew it was