Chapter Twenty-One

Perry

Apparently, this is my new MO—bringing Lola food just to insert myself in her orbit. I clutch the two-liter of soda and grocery bag full of popcorn and cookies in one hand while I run the other through my hair.

I probably look desperate, showing up at her door unannounced like this. I guess, in a way, I am. Desperate for Lola to know that I reject Jerica's wrong assumptions and worries. That I crave spending time with her and hate how she's ignored me the past few days.

Instead of letting what Jerica said have control over me, I'm choosing to focus on King's admonition. I want to take my relationship with Lola one day at a time. I want to see where it goes, without fear of the future. And maybe, in time, I can learn to let her in.

I raise my fist and knock three times, shifting on my feet. A few seconds later, a light flickers on in the kitchen, and my heart picks up speed. When she opens the door in shorts and a tank top, I do my best not to let my eyes cling to her pale shoulders or her lean legs.

"Hi," I say, voice unnecessarily rough. "Um. I brought you something." I lift the bag like I've done with every other ridiculous offering I've brought to her doorstep. "It's not much, just popcorn and cookies. Thought maybe you could use a movie night."

Her lips part as she takes me in. "Perry, that's so sweet of you. But—"

"Look," I say with a wince, knowing I'm about to expose myself. I don't care, though. If it gives me time with her, it's worth it. "Jerica told me she talked to you."

Lola's face falls and she leans against the doorframe, crossing one leg in front of the other.

"She had no right to do that. I want you to know that I don't agree with her."

Her eyes flick to mine. "You don't?"

I shake my head. "Lola, when you saved me that night…" I suck in a breath and force myself to speak. "It meant something to me. I know I gave you mixed signals the next morning, but…" I lift one shoulder in a shrug. "I thought maybe, if you'd let me, I could try again."

She's silent a few seconds until her lips raise in a small smile. "So you do think I'm pretty?"

A laugh escapes me, and I take a step toward her. "I cannot confirm or deny that. At least not until you invite me in for a movie night."

She purses her lips and taps her chin like she's giving it some thought. "If I let you come in, you have to promise not to take tonight back. No more pretending to hate me." She's teasing me, but her words hit deep.

"I could never hate you, Lola."

Her eyes spark with something that sets fire to my blood. I'm swaying toward her again, helpless. "Perry, your sister might actually hate me if we do this." She swallows. "If we…get close, I mean."

My gaze lowers to her mouth on instinct. Right now, I want to be much closer than what she's implying.

"I'm sorry to put your relationship with her at risk," I say. "If you don't want me here, I'll leave. But…I want to be here." With you.

After a charged moment, she steps back and opens the door wider. "Come on in. But you're making the popcorn." Her flirty smile makes me want to agree to anything she asks.

"Whatever you say, boss."

Lola

Well. This was a plot twist I didn't see coming.

Perry, the grumpiest captain on the East Coast, just invited himself in for a…date? I don't know if he'd call it that, but it sure feels like something along those lines. He even brought food.

While he gets to work popping the popcorn, I slip into the bathroom and check my hair. Not too crazy, just a little messy from laying around all afternoon. I twist a few strands around to frame my face, then adjust my tank top. I don't have any makeup on, but Perry has seen me looking way worse than this.

Raccoon lady comes to mind. I'd rather be au naturale than have mascara streaking down my face.

Once I deem myself mostly presentable, I saunter back into the kitchen. He stands at the counter, arranging the cookies on a plate.

"Wow. So neat and orderly," I joke and settle in next to him.

He lifts one shoulder, a smile toying at the corner of his mouth. "Normally I'd eat them straight out of the bag. But that doesn't seem appropriate for tonight."

I laugh. "Really? How come? I wouldn't have thought less of you. In fact, that's how I eat them."

His eyes catch mine. "Maybe I won't worry about it next time."

Next time .

My heart reacts wildly to his insinuation, nearly thrashing in my chest. I ignore the sensation as best I can and grab a bowl for the popcorn. "Well, since we're using a proper plate for the cookies, guess we'll need this for the popcorn."

He nods just as the microwave beeps. "Why don't you go pick a movie and I'll get the food set up?"

I grab the plate of cookies. "Let me at least carry these in." Once I reach the living room, I call back, "Anything in particular you feel like watching?"

"Nah, you pick."

I smile to myself as I flip through the streaming options. Perry is totally the type of guy who would let his woman pick a movie for them. In most things, he seems particular, but I get the vibe that in a relationship, he'd be the most accommodating partner. Maybe even clingy. Just wanting to be with her…

The second my thoughts veer toward the relationship border, I steer them back on track. This is not a date (though it feels like it). We're just hanging out (against his sister's wishes). And I am not reading into things where Perry is concerned (even though I totally am).

I focus back on the TV and instantly think Perry would be into an action movie. Maybe it's because he reminds me of a younger Kurt Russell but Escape from L.A. piques my interest.

When he drops down next to me on the couch with the bowl of popcorn, I say, "How about this?"

He raises one dark eyebrow. "This is what you want to watch?"

I lean back into the cushions, embarrassed. "I don't know. You look like you would be a Kurt Russell fan."

He tries and fails to fight back a smile. "You know me so well." He releases a chuckle, then settles back and places the bowl of popcorn between us. "How about Overboard ? It's a favorite of mine."

Why that makes me smile, I don't know, but I love it. "Perfect choice."

"Oh, I almost forgot the drinks." He hops up from the couch and returns with two glasses and the two-liter. The movie begins to play, and I curl my feet under me, half-facing Perry and the bowl between us.

Surprisingly, he laughs at the funniest parts. With him being so reserved, I doubted he'd be the type of guy to laugh out loud at a movie. Every once in a while, our fingers brush inside the popcorn bowl. Each time they do, I stuff down the desire to let our fingers tangle and retreat instead. This whole scene might feel like a date to me, but I'm not going to embarrass myself by clinging to his touch like a love-starved simp.

By the time we reach the part in the movie where Kurt tosses Goldie in the tub of cold water, I realize that Perry and I have somehow inched closer together. I reach into the bowl for more popcorn, only to hit his hand.

"Sorry," I say. "Looks like we're out."

"I'm full anyway. Want any more cookies?"

"Uh, no. I'm good."

He sets the bowl on the coffee table in front of us, and I don't miss the way he leans back against the cushions, draping both arms behind him. Glancing at him in my periphery, I get the feeling that Perry invented the term manspreading. But it doesn't bother me in the least. He looks relaxed, and if I didn't know him better I'd think he was trying to make a move.

He keeps his gaze locked on the TV, not giving anything away. I face forward again, doing my best not to read into his actions. We're just two friends, hanging out, watching a movie. Enjoying each other's company. Like two friends do.

Wait. Is it my imagination or…No. I swear his thumb just connected with my back, right behind my neck. My breathing quickens. Is he…purposely touching me? There's no way, right? He's probably just—

My thoughts halt once again when his thumb moves . In a circular motion. A motion that could be confused as him rubbing circles on the back of my neck .

I try and force air back into my lungs as I chance a look his way.

"Are you comfortable?" he asks, still not meeting my gaze.

"Mm hmm."

In another shocking plot twist, he moves closer and cups my shoulder with his hand that's behind me. "Is this okay?"

I swallow. "Um. Yeah."

Now his thumb rubs circles on my shoulder. "You sure?"

I release a breath and lean into him. "Yeah, I'm sure."

Despite my wildly beating heart, this feels nice. Comfortable. But also like I'm back in high school with my first boyfriend. Everything with Perry is so new, so tenuous. Almost like neither one of us knows where to go from here.

But it doesn't take long before we're pressed together, side to side. So close that his soothing scent envelops me, and I can feel the gentle rise and fall of his chest. The movie is winding down, so I decide to take a risk.

I lay my head against his chest, just under his chin, and pray he's okay with it. I mean, he technically made the first move by coming here, then putting his arm around me. Still, though, I could've read this all wrong. It wouldn't be the first time.

Perry readjusts a bit to accommodate me, then lets his hand wander to my hip. It rests there lightly, just light enough to feel it, but my brain immediately freezes. I can't think when Perry touches me like that. The hip is not friendly. The hip is…well, boyfriendly .

I so badly want to say something to gain some clarity on what it is we're doing here. Are we on a date? Is he okay with how things are going? Was this his plan all along? But I'm too afraid that anything I say or do will ruin this moment, put a rift in the closeness we've gained tonight.

The movie ends as happily as I remember it, but as the credits roll, neither one of us moves. It's as if we're both suspended in a moment we never want to end, and we're clinging to the threads that hold it together.

I shift the slightest bit to look into Perry's face. As soon as I do, I question if that was the right move. Because we're so close, our breaths mingle. We're even closer than we were the morning we woke up together on his boat.

Except I barely have time to let myself wonder. Perry cups my face with the hand that's not on my hip and brushes his thumb over my cheek. "I don't just think you're pretty, Lola," he says, voice like pure gravel. My heart stutters, and he adds, "I think you're beautiful. Inside and out."

That's all it takes for me to lean forward and connect my lips with his. Perry's hesitant at first, more cautious than I would've imagined for the bold statement he just made. His lips are firm and closed, a sure sign that I actually did read this wrong.

I pull back, but I'm stopped by his rough palm gripping my neck. "I'm sorry, just…be patient with me? It's been a really long time."

I nod and reach up to run my fingers through his auburn hair. The TV light reflects off his dark pupils as they search my face. "I don't want to mess this up," he whispers.

"You won't. I promise."

His other hand tightens on my hip as he drags me closer until I'm practically on his lap. Then he leans in carefully, as if he's afraid he might break me. His mouth presses against mine, softer this time, explorative.

He kisses me so slowly I almost groan from the torture. I want more of him, all of him. Whatever he's willing to give.

Finally, his lips part, allowing me in, allowing our breaths to intertwine. Perry deepens the kiss, and fireworks explode behind my eyes. Any fear of him messing this up is long gone with the knowledge that this man can kiss .

Never could I have imagined the level of skill this man has with his mouth. It's tantalizing, addicting. I'm not sure I could ever go back to kissing anyone else after this.

I whimper and shift closer, running both hands through his hair this time, angling myself to face him more fully. Perry's hands run up and down my sides as a groan shudders through him.

"Lola," he growls. "Stop moving."

"What? Why?" I lean back, hands on his shoulders. "What's wrong?"

"I don't want to rush this."

I take a breath, release it. "You're not."

"It feels like I am," he says, stroking the sides of my face. "This is our first kiss. I want to savor you, give you what you deserve." He lets his forehead rest against mine.

"Maybe I like you going a little wild on our first try. Just proves that I didn't make this attraction up in my head."

He eases back and searches my eyes. "You didn't make this up. I am very attracted to you. As if you couldn't already tell." His lips curve slightly, almost teasingly.

"You mean, you think I'm…fetching?"

His head drops back with a laugh. "I'd hoped you'd forgotten that."

Tightening my hands on his neck, I laugh. "Oh no, sir. You're not living that one down for a long while. I would've made fun of you the next day when you called me pretty, but…it felt too soon."

He chuckles, then grips my hips and drags me somehow closer. "Fine. As long as I get to kiss you every time you make fun of me for it."

His wicked smile meets mine and his lips move perfectly in sync with every beat of my fast-pounding heart. His rough hands tangle in my hair and move over my back, and I melt with each and every touch.

When we finally break apart, doubt hits me. "You're not worried about what will happen when it's time for me to leave Willow Cove?"

His chest rises and falls twice before he responds. "Let's agree to take it a day at a time. Take things slow. Whatever happens, happens."

A smile tugs at the side of my mouth. "So we're letting fate decide then, huh?"

He matches my amusement and chuckles. "If that's how you want to see it, then yeah."

"All right." I hook my arms around his neck and place a lingering kiss to his lips. "Then I'm excited to see where this goes, Captain."

He smiles against my mouth. "Keep calling me that and slow will be the last thing on my mind."

I laugh, and we go back to kissing, exploring our newfound infatuation. But the night ends all too soon when I come to my senses and insist that he go so he can get some sleep. The man rises with the dawn. I can't keep him out all night if I don't want to add to his grumpiness later.

When we kiss goodnight at the back door of the bungalow, I realize that maybe seeing where things go isn't so bad after all.