He took a breath and looked me in the eyes. “On the first day we met, when you answered the door in your sexy little pajamas that show off every luscious curve and strong muscle, your beautiful gray eyes sparkling, I knew I had to get to know this cool, strong, smokin’ hot girl better. And, after our first run together, when you pretty much kicked my ass with how strong you are, I knew you were my type. I was a hundred percent attracted to you after that.” I smiled and held James’ hand.
“And remember that day you got your period at school?” I rolled my eyes at the memory. “Ok, I have a confession … I thought about just telling you about, you know, needing to go to the nurse, but I really wanted to know what it would be like to be that close to you. So I got this idea to tie
my shirt around your waist, like you know, I would be your knight in flannel armor, and once I was pressed up against you, something clicked.
“I’ve never felt like that with anyone before. I felt this intense connection between us … It took everything in me to stop myself from kissing you that day. I mean you’re hot and you always smell so good. I was so turned on and I wanted to kiss you so bad – I couldn’t get you out of my head after that.” He smiled sheepishly.
“James! I -”
He put up a finger to my lips in warning. “Shhh! Nuh-uh. You promised. Let me do my speech.” He gave me a stern look, removed his finger from my lips, and kissed me quickly. I pressed my lips together and he smiled and continued.
“The next day, I remember I was so nervous around you and I pissed you off because I asked you if you were gay.” He snickered at the memory. “I needed to make sure that I wasn’t just imagining what I felt with you and it’s not like I could just come out and ask, ‘Hey, Tati, did you lady parts get fired up yesterday when I grabbed you from behind and
almost kissed you? Because my man part sure did. I’m surprised you couldn’t feel it.’”
I burst out laughing and James blushed. “I was trying to be all subtle and I ended up pissing you off! And then that night Janey put the picture of you all slippery in the shower in my head – Oh god, Tati! I was wrecked! I thought of you every damn time I took a shower after that.” We both cracked up. He put his arms around me and pulled me in closer to him. He spoke softly.
“You became my favorite person and my best friend the first time we hung out and talked for hours at your house. You were so honest and open and trusting. I’ve never met anyone like you.
“I fell in love with you the first time we hiked up here and you held me and let me cry about my disaster of a family. My heart lit up the first time we kissed and I am so glad you gave me that second chance. I love you for trusting me, for being there for me. Thank you for loving me back.”
James released his embrace and turned his body to face me. He looked into my eyes and held my shoulders. Tears threatened to fall and his breath became ragged as he pressed his forehead to mine. “I don’t know what’s going to happen when we go to college, but I promise you right now on this mountaintop, I love you, Tatiana, and I will do everything it takes to have us stay together, even if that means a boring train ride to see you.” He smiled as a tear fell down his cheek. “Will you please promise me the same thing? Will you do whatever it takes to stay in my life? Whether that means staying my girlfriend or - and I don’t want to have to do this – just being best friends; I need you and want you in my life.”
He leaned back slightly and put his hands on my cheeks. Tears streamed down his face and mine. Looking deeply into his eyes, I waited in silence. “Tati? Say you will, too. Please.” I smiled and raised my eyebrows. He laughed loudly when he realized why I hadn’t answered. “Sorry, Tati, you were such a great sport for not interrupting! Thank you. I’m done talking. Your turn now! Please talk! I won’t interrupt!”
I laughed and wiped the tears from my eyes. “James, I promise you, here on this mountaintop, I will do everything it takes to keep you in my life. I love you and I won’t give up on us without a fight. You are worth it. I promise.” I leaned over and kissed him before I continued.
“Besides, I’m feeling really optimistic. I know we’ll do what’s fair for both of us.” I rolled my eyes. “Even if that means a boring train ride for you to come see me. But a two-hour commute to kiss this cute face is worth it!” He laughed and I kissed him sweetly. I kept my lips close to his as I smiled and said, “And for the record, my lady parts fired up every single time you’ve ever gotten close to me, so I’m glad this all worked out.” I gave him another quick playful kiss and then tapped his nose. “Boop.”
James chuckled as he stood and pulled my by my hands to rise. “Come here, Tati.” He wrapped his strong arms around me tightly for a few moments and rested his cheek on the top of my head. When he finally bent down to kiss me, it was a kiss that became a symphony of friendship, love,
respect, passion, and the deeper connection that tied us together. He pulled away and looked at me with his deep green emerald eyes, the eyes I fell in love with the first time we met. “Cheetah-girl, you’re my Always.”
About the Author
Amie Forgeron earned her B.A. in writing from Loyola Marymount University and a M.Ed. from Pepperdine University Graduate School of Education and Psychology. She is a career educator and lifelong book nerd. Amie lives in the Pacific Northwest with her partner and rescue mutt. This is her first novel.
Acknowledgements
Special thanks to my “always”, my life partner, best friend, and love, Chris. Your encouragement means the world to me.
Much appreciation to my lovelies, Meg and Alexis, who made time to read this in its early stages. Your honest feedback and enthusiasm made this a better book and gave me the push I needed to keep going.
Cover design by SelfPubBookCovers.com/ AKcoverdesign.
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