Thirty and Single.

Chapter 29.

I'm so sorry, Larson," I said, breathless, as I pulled away from the kiss. My lips still tingled from his touch, but reality came crashing down like a wave of cold water.

Embarrassment flared in my cheeks.

Larson looked at me, his piercing blue eyes warm and reassuring. "You don't have to apologize, Genesis," he said with a small smile. "Don't feel embarrassed about something that felt right."

He reached for my hand again, gently lacing our fingers. I didn't resist.

He pulled me back into him, and this time, his kiss was deeper—more deliberate. My heart pounded in my chest, matching the beat of the soft music still playing from the party inside. We kissed like we were trying to steal time from the night, as if it could slip away if we stopped.

We were both breathless when the first raindrops began to fall.

I looked up. The sky, once calm, was now shifting clouds rolling in, wind curling through the roses in the garden.

"It's going to pour," I said, glancing at the darkening sky.

"Let's stay out just a little longer," he said, his voice low, his thumb brushing against my cheek. "I'm really enjoying this."

His lips found mine again, this time hungrier. His hands moved to my waist, and mine slid up his chest. The drizzle turned into a light rain, cool against my heated skin. I gasped when he nipped my bottom lip, and without hesitation, I melted into him.

It was dizzying. Desperate. I felt him harden against me, and I pressed closer, my legs wrapping around his waist instinctively. He groaned against my mouth, a sound that sent shivers down my spine.

The rain grew heavier.

He lifted me, but before things could spiral any further, he gently lowered me to the ground. His breath was uneven, just like mine.

"We better head in," he said, eyes dark with desire.

We stumbled back into the house, damp and flushed. The contrast between the heat of the kiss and the sudden chill outside left my heart racing.

"Genesis! I've been looking all over for you," Brooklyn said, reappearing like she always did at the most dramatic moment.

I barely managed a reply. "I was outside with Larson."

Larson gave me a sly smile before nodding politely to Brooklyn. "Excuse me," he said, then vanished into the crowd.

Brooklyn immediately began fixing my damp hair with her fingers. "What happened out there?" she asked, a knowing gleam in her eyes.

"Nothing," I said too quickly, my voice pitched.

She laughed and handed me her drink. Without thinking, I took a sip.

"Ew!" I coughed. "What is that?"

"Vodka, babe," she said with a wink. "It helps loosen the emotional knots."

I tried to dance with her, but my thoughts kept drifting to Larson. Every part of me still felt the weight of his touch. When I looked across the room, he was speaking with a few guys, but his eyes kept flicking to me. I couldn't stop staring.

"You really like him, huh?" Brooklyn asked, appearing behind me again like a fairy godmother of chaos.

"He's cute," I said shyly, not trusting myself to say more.

The hours passed in a blur of music, laughter, and glances shared across the room. Eventually, the crowd began to thin and the night came to a close.

"Genesis, it was really good to meet you," Larson said as I made my way toward the door.