Seeking Escape

16. I Have an Idea

*** Joyce's POV ***

The pressure of his lips on mine launched a series of what felt like small explosions throughout my body. I instantly reacted, signaling how badly I missed this kind of intimacy. I hadn't been properly kissed since before my ordeal and let's face it, how many people encounter the best kiss of their lifetime in their teens? It was typically novices fumbling about as they went. But not this kiss.

Quinn knew exactly how to kiss a woman so she would never forget him or how he made her feel. His lips applied the precise amount of pressure so as not to come across as timid, but also not rough or demanding.  He paused, anticipating perhaps a negative reaction. His lips tensed and flexed as he shifted to caress my face with the pad of his thumb.

I moaned and moved to deepen the kiss, running my hand up through the scruff on his cheek. His tongue met mine and smoothly slipped past to probe my mouth gently.  God, I knew what that tongue was capable of conjuring when applied elsewhere and just that passing thought made me flush with desire.

I could have kept kissing him like that until my lips screamed for relief. But a bubble formed and popped in my enchilada mix (not a euphemism), speckling me with molten yumminess.

"Ow! Fuck." I tore my lips from him and rubbed by cheek and neck. Quinn stepped away leaving me disoriented.

"I'm sorry. I got caught up in the moment. I won't distract you." He hesitated in returning to his spot on the opposite side of the counter. "Are you okay?"

I had half a mind to turn the burner off and chase that feeling that he ignited in me, but I was also scared. I was making incredible progress, but feared hitting a wall and freaking out on him.

I rubbed my cheek again, wanting to ensure I got all the schmootz off. "Better than okay, actually." He smiled and looked at me through his dark lashes. I shooed him away, laughing. "Let me finish up before we add second degree burns to our list of injuries. Pour us another round of margaritas, please."

He listened, sipping and watching as I spooned the mix into tortillas and carefully placed them in a baking dish, topping with sauce and cheese. I put the dish in the oven and asked my device to set a timer.

"Twenty minutes, huh?" He asked. I could read the insinuation in his voice. Quinn wasn't pushy, but he couldn't help being irresistible. I was drawn to him, looping my arms around his neck as he drew me into his hold. It felt so incredibly natural.

"Twenty minutes. Have any ideas of how we can fill the time?" I asked innocently.

"Do I. May I have those lips again?" He responded, gazing at them and then up to my eyes.

"Yes." I breathed out. Quinn immediately followed, stealing my next breath. My hands fisted the back of his shirt as we resumed the heat of the previous moment. He kept his arms around me and while I loved being pressed against him, I wanted him to explore me.

I tapped his back and pulled away.  He responded in kind and I was surprised to see his face flushed. "I'm sorry. It's probably too much."

I pressed a finger to his lips and removed my arpon, draping it over the chair next to his. I then parked myself in front of him and placed my palms  and forearms on his chest. He watched me intently as I leaned in. "Keep it over the top of the clothes, but you can explore if you want."