Read Online Searching for Moore by Julie A. Richman - Free Book Online

up and two steps back
    For they hit too close to home.
    Lively discussion ensued and after a few more hours, they’d worked out how they were going to divide the work amongst the group and how they were going to bridge it together into a seamless project. They put together their opening statements and began to plow through the exhaustive material for each of their sections.
    It was past midnight when Rosie got to her feet, “I’m toast,” she announced, “all that fresh air today knocked me out.”
    “Ditto,” agreed Henry. “I need to peel these lenses out of my eyes.” Rosie pulled him to his feet.
    “We got a lot done tonight, guys.” Schooner was pleased.
    “Yeah, I feel good about it.” Rosie looked beat, “Have we lost you, Mia?”
    Mia pulled the throw pillow off of her face and smiled. “Still here … barely,” she giggled.
    “Don’t wake me for breakfast.” Henry yelled back as he and Rosie closed the door.
    Mia rolled on her side and looked at Schooner. He reached out and took a long curl in between his fingers, playing with it. Here it was, finally the moment they were alone. “C’mere” he said, pulling her head down on his chest as he continued to play with her curls. She snuggled her face into his chest and pulled off her glasses, placing them out of the way. Mia looked up at Schooner and he smiled at her beautiful ombre green eyes. She blushed and he slowly rubbed her arm up and down, reassuringly.
    This little devil, so outgoing and fearless, was actually so shy when it came to guys. Wild and innocent, Schooner thought. He wanted her to be his. And just the thought of that shot feelings of guilt through him. He was CJ’s. Or so she thought. But what he was feeling toward Mia was something he’d never felt in his life. His heart felt like it was overflowing with emotion. He wanted to be with her every moment. He wanted to know everything about her. He wanted her in his arms all the time. By his side. Looking up smiling at him. Wanting him. He didn’t know he could feel these feelings for someone else.
    He brought both arms around her, hugging her tightly to him — so overcome with feelings. He kissed the top of her head and she looked up at him, a combination of yearning and fear of the unknown in her eyes. He smiled at her and rubbed his nose against hers, which elicited a little giggle. This made him laugh and he kissed the tip of her nose.
    “I think you’ve figured it out already,” he smiled down at her.
    “Figured out what?” She asked.
    “That I’m crazy about you.” She blushed and buried her face in his chest, too shy to look into his eyes. “God, she’s adorable,” he thought to himself.
    “Mia, look at me,” she looked up, tentatively. He smiled at her and ran his thumb along her high cheekbone, then pushed a mass of curls away from her face. He brought his lips close to hers. “Really, really crazy about you, Mia. I want to be with you all the time. I never want to leave you at the end of the day.”
    “Then don’t,” she whispered.
    He smiled, his lips up against hers and he could feel her returning the smile. He took her face in his hands and kissed her lips softly. She made a soft ‘mmmm’ sound which he felt immediately between his legs. He kissed her lips harder until she opened her mouth, letting his tongue slip in to find hers. Mia’s tongue met his, cautiously at first and then a little bolder in its exploration. She let her fingers rake through his thick luxurious hair, pulling him deeper into her mouth. The urgency of their kisses increased until they were both breathless.
    Schooner pulled away and reached up to Mia’s bed and pulled down her blanket and draped it over them. Her head was back on his chest and he kissed the top of her head again.
    “Oh Baby Girl,” he sighed, “you have no idea of what you do to me.”
    “It’s smoochal,” they both laughed.
    She snuggled deeper into his chest as he wrapped his arms around her tighter and