Suzie-Q

Chapter Fourteen

Suzie sighed as she leaned against Sparky for support. Her legs felt weak as they fought with all their might to keep her standing, so she held on to the closest thing she could find. And he didn't seem to mind one bit. In fact, he took advantage of her weak limbs by pulling her even closer and enjoying the feeling of her soft body pressing up against his.

This was absolute heaven. That was the only thing that continued to flash through her mind as her lips were attacked in the most amazing way.

His lips were firm against hers and yet they remained gentle at the same time. They tenderly led and urged her forward, but didn't push. She continued to hold back and she was certain that he could tell.

The feelings inside of her were terrifyingly new and being kissed this way was a whole new experience altogether. Being kissed any way was a whole new experience.

Only one boy had been brave enough to forge a relationship with her and he'd even gathered up the gall to kiss her too… but there was no way that the two could compare.

David had been awkward and clumsy with his lips, but Sparky knew what he was doing. He was so obviously experienced in the ways of love—probably more than what she'd liked to think at the moment—and that was what was holding her back.

She was afraid of being too brazen. She was afraid to give into the passion burning deep down inside of her, some part of her believing that if she were to open her eyes, he wouldn't be there. She didn't want this to be a dream. She didn't want to wake up in her bed and find out that this had all been another fantasy.

It felt too real and too perfect and she did not want it to go away.

His tongue gently ran against the seam of her lips, resulting in a vibrating moan. It hadn't come from her, though.

She was overanalyzing this kiss and herself way too much. Remembering what had gotten them to this point in the first place was more important and the fact that Sparky had chosen her out of any other girl on the beach was the most important.

Instead of thinking about it, she needed to just feel.

And that's what she made herself do.

Finally, she relaxed in his embrace. Her hands unconsciously trailed down the toned expanse of his bare torso. She was thrilled when he shivered against her as her nimble fingers ran lightly over his sides to come to rest around his back.

Carefully, he eased back. She couldn't resist leaning forward, eager for more now that she'd allowed herself to actually enjoy his lips being pressed against hers. Smiling against her lips, he still retreated. His movements were slow and calculated, almost as if he were ready to topple over if he moved too quickly.

Still, he couldn't resist kissing her again. One, twice… and the third time lasted just a little bit longer than the others before he pulled away completely.

Her eyes were just fluttering back open while he pulled in a much needed breath. "Wow," she breathed.

His grin widened and he could feel the heat radiating through his cheeks. "You can say that again."

"Wow," she repeated just as dreamily.

He chuckled and reached up to brush a stray piece of hair behind her ear. He knew he didn't need an excuse to touch her, but he felt like it would be the proper thing to do. He stared into her eyes which stared at him wide and glassed over. "I've been wanting to do that since we first met." He wasn't ashamed to admit it. He was willing to get over all of the awkwardness if it only led to more kisses like that.

He'd felt it the moment she'd stopped hesitating and finally gave into what was natural. It had taken his breath away to the point that he was becoming light-headed.

"I've been hoping you would." The heat burning throughout her face only raged degrees hotter at her admittance, but luckily it was too dark for him to notice.

His fingertips lightly grazed her cheek and she could see the happiness in his eyes become replaced by something similar to worry. That was certainly odd to feel at a moment like this. "How much does this change things between us?"

He liked the way things were between them. They were simple—easy—almost as if they'd known each other their entire lives. Did this kiss mark them as a couple or was it simply just the start of something that could become so much more?

"Do they really have to change?"

He'd almost forgotten who he was talking to for a moment. He'd never had a girlfriend who wasn't high-maintenance. This would certainly be something he'd have to get used to. "I would think so because I don't think I'd be able to stop myself from kissing you again." For emphasis, he leaned forward again and tasted the sweet nectar of her lips. "See?"

She nodded and gave a small smirk. "Uh-huh," was all she could think to say as the fog he created in her mind with one simple brush of his lips was receding much too slowly. "But, other than that fact, why do things have to change?" She might have been new at this love thing, but things could only go uphill between them from this point on.

Right?

His eyes were soft as he looked at her and his mouth opened like he wanted to say something, but it closed a second later when the words just wouldn't come out. He tried again a moment later. "I like you, Sue," he noticed a gentle smile appear on her lips. He wondered why for a second, then he realized that this was the first time he'd ever called her by that name. "I like you a lot… and I'd like to get to know you better."

"We do have the rest of the summer," she pointed out.

He nodded in agreement. That thought had occurred to him too and that was why he wasn't eager to rush things between them. "Yes, we do." His mood improved a great deal at that thought. She wanted to take things slow too. He'd ever been able to handle slow before with any of his other girlfriends, but this one was definitely different. He wanted to learn everything about her and then some. He wanted to really know her. "So, I'll see you tomorrow, then?"

Suzie nodded. "Bright and early."

"Goodnight, then." He was suddenly struck by déjà vu at his own words and even more so when he felt his lips lightly dancing across hers once more. It was a thrill he just couldn't get enough of.

"Goodnight," Suzie breathed when he pulled away. She had to lean against the railing for support as her legs threatened to finally give out on her. A healthy flush coated her cheeks as a silly grin formed on her lips.

His expression matched hers as he lifted a hand to wave goodbye. She was afraid to let go of the railing for fear that she would collapse. The only thing she could do was smile and watch as he disappeared into the darkness.

"Wow," she mumbled when her legs could no longer support her weight. She collapsed onto a step and sighed contently as Levi rubbed up against her.

Her hands loosely tangled in his fur as she stared out into the dark water. She couldn't believe it. She'd just had her first kiss. Correction. Her first real kiss.

Her heart was dancing an unfamiliar rhythm and her insides were a tangled mess and still she felt content. After all these weeks of trying to fight off her feelings for Sparky, a blessed miracle finally happened.

Her dreams had finally come true.

She couldn't help but sigh again.

Levi gently pawed at her leg and looked up the stairs to the house. Suzie followed his gaze and found her grandmother standing there. She had to admit that she'd forgotten all about their audience once Sparky's lips had touched hers. In fact, she'd forgotten that the entire rest of the world existed. All she'd known at the time were the two of them.

"Hi Gramma," she said softly. Her cheeks were hot by the time the older woman settled down beside her.

"Well, you've had an exciting day, haven't you?"

"You were spying?" Suzie was both hurt and horrified. She'd expected her grandfather of sinking that low, but never her.

Gramma shook her head in the calm, reassuring manner she'd had to perfect years ago because of Grampa. "No. I wasn't," was all she said and Suzie was instantly relieved. "Take it easy on him, though. He's just looking out for you."

The teenager couldn't resist rolling her eyes. "I know. I just wish he wouldn't." She was seventeen. She was almost legally an adult now and that meant she was free to make her own choices. Despite what he thought. "And he probably hasn't given up on setting me up on that blind date, either."

Gramma's shoulders lightly shook with laughter as she laid a reassuring hand on her granddaughter's arm. "You let me worry about that. I'll knock some sense into the old coot." Suzie chuckled and that made Gramma smile and even more eager for some dirt. "So, which one was he?" She'd heard a great deal about the three boys and could probably figure out which one this one had been on her own. She just wanted to hear it from Suzie's own mouth.

A light tint infused the girl's cheeks. "Sparky," she answered shyly, but she quickly became animated. "Oh, Gramma! He's so great. He's kind and patient…" Not to mention incredibly handsome.

"That's great sweetheart." Those were two wonderful attributes in a boy his age for now, but she couldn't help but wonder if they would matter a little ways down the road.

"I mean, it's not like the other boys aren't too. Look what they gave me!" She quickly stood up and reached over the railing. She tugged her new surfboard into view and showed it off like a prized possession. "Isn't it beautiful?"

"Yes. It is," the older woman responded absentmindedly as she stared at the beautiful woodwork, but not quite seeing it completely. Suzie didn't understand her reaction. She'd at least expected a smile. "I mean, it truly is sweetheart. I-I'm just wondering how I'm going to explain it to your mother."

That sunk her granddaughter's joyful mood and she was sorry she'd had to bring the love-struck teen back to earth.

"She's going to be mad, isn't she?" Suzie set the board back down and took her seat again.

Gramma shook her head. "No. I don't think so. Overprotective…well, that's a whole other story, isn't it?" Small smiles spread across their faces. Her mother was the queen at being overprotective, so this news would have to be broken to her gently. Very gently. "But, while I try to figure out something, how about we go inside and eat before your grandfather decides to scarf down my entire pot roast?"

Suzie nodded and climbed back to her feet again, waiting patiently for her grandmother's older limbs to cooperate with her body before they headed up to the house. Gramma's warm hand landed gently on Suzie's shoulder in that familiar, comforting manner she used so often and Suzie returned the favor by leaning into the older woman and wrapping her arms around her waist in a hug as they followed Levi to the back door.