Kindergarten Baby: A Novel
Page 29
He leaned in slowly, and their lips met for their first kiss, a kiss that produced spirals of ecstasy more intimate than any sexual encounter from her past.
“Lindsey?” he whispered.
Her eyes were still closed. “Jake.”
“Is it just me or—?”
“Shh. It’s us, Jake. Finally. It’s us.”
She didn’t want either of them to move from that position, but the fire was dying, and the night was cool. Not wanting the evening to end, she suggested he keep the fire going. He not only split and added aromatic logs to the fire like a skilled woodsman, he also refilled their plastic cups with wine without spilling a drop. They held hands in comfortable silence, enjoying this final night in the Zuni Mountains under a star-filled sky. What would tomorrow bring? At this very moment, it didn’t matter. She’d take it one day at a time.
Lindsey replayed their first kiss over and over in her mind. How could a kiss as tender and light as a treetop breeze send shivers of desire with the intensity of a hurricane through her entire body? An all-new physical and emotional experience unfolded, and she had a feeling that here, tonight, uncharted territory was about to be explored—map not included.
As pleasant shivers of anticipated passion tingled through her body, snapshots of annoying past kisses flickered around her brain. Anthony had been her first in every way, and she’d thought he was the sexiest man alive. He had the body and the technique. They had made love—no, they’d had sex often, but none of it had ever felt as good as this one kiss from Jake. Maybe Anthony had never really loved her. More shocking still, maybe she’d never really loved him. They’d had an initial attraction, but now she remembered all the red flags her friend Laura had brought up. She’d ignored them all, refused to see, because she wanted to be loved and have a family more than anything else.
Then there was Emmett. He’d never even kissed her lips. He’d lived in her house, taken her money, but he’d never—oh, well. Perhaps a blessing in disguise.
Martin had seemed nice enough, and their lovemaking was good, but there had never been sparks, nothing she could call chemistry. He’d taken care of her—at least he’d paid his own way and even purchased several thoughtful gifts for her.
In her life she’d encountered loveless kisses, ungiven kisses, and cardboard kisses. Not much to go on. She had no experience with true love, had no concept of the thrilling, dizzying chemistry it could bring…until now.
Lindsey gazed at Jake and offered him a small, shy smile. “I’ll need to conduct some research for my romance novel, and I’ve decided that you—if you’re willing—will be my one and only subject,” she said. He didn’t pull away when she took his hand in hers and led him toward the tent. He would not be sleeping in his Jeep tonight.
Jake grabbed the birdcage with his other hand, and Lindsey called, “Come on, Wendell. You can come, too.”
As she rearranged the items inside the tent to create more space, her thoughts drifted to Laura, then to one of her favorite fairy tales. She gave Jake a playful grin. “Hey, you mentioned you had a sister. I don’t suppose you have a brother for Rose Red?”
She didn’t wait for his reply. No answer was needed, but she took great pleasure in watching Jake’s puzzled look. She’d explain some other day.
Once they were comfortably settled in the tent, Lindsey, unable to suppress either her joy or her natural kindergarten teacher tendencies, began to sing When You Wish Upon A Star. Soon Wendell and Malcolm joined in, each in his own way, and an owl even hooted a few times. Jake eventually joined in too, though it quickly became evident that carrying a tune was not one of his strengths. But it didn’t matter. Their small choir produced the most magical, joyful noise Lindsey had ever heard. One she will never forget.
Jake leaned in and kissed her, his eyes warm and full of love. “Looks like I’ve found my Happily Ever After,” he said.
FOOTNOTES
1 — Being single has its advantages/Literally: Alone, one’s soul is pure.
2 — Still waters run deep.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Cricket Rohman, earned her MA in Literature and Philosophy from California State University. She authored picture books and big book songbooks used by teachers before making the longed-for leap to writing adult fiction a few years ago. She finds inspiration and joy living with her husband and dog in both the Arizona desert and the Colorado mountains. Kindergarten Baby is her debut novel.
Cricket loves to hear from readers; connect with her online:
Website:
www.cricketrohman.com
Facebook:
www.facebook.com/CricketRohmanAuthor
One last thing…
I am honored that you took the time to read my debut novel. If you enjoyed this book, I would be forever grateful if you would post a review on Amazon or simply turn to the next page. Kindle gives you the opportunity to rate the book right there. THANK YOU!
All my best,
Cricket Rohman
Table of Contents
FALL
CHAPTER ONE
CHAPTER TWO
CHAPTER THREE
CHAPTER FOUR
CHAPTER FIVE
CHAPTER SIX
CHAPTER SEVEN
CHAPTER EIGHT
CHAPTER NINE
WINTER
CHAPTER TEN
CHAPTER ELEVEN
CHAPTER TWELVE
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
CHAPTER NINETEEN
CHAPTER TWENTY
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
SPRING
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
CHAPTER THIRTY
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO
CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE
CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR
SUMMER
CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE
CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX
CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN
CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT
CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE
CHAPTER FORTY
FOOTNOTES
ABOUT THE AUTHOR