Not Enough: Is love ever enough? (The Enough Series Book 1) by Nikole Bloom

thighs. As the last of our dinner plates are being
cleared and I excuse myself to the ladies’ room needing a moment to compose myself
and allow the heat between my legs to dissipate.
    After I wash my hands and straighten my hair and lipstick, I
return to our table. Austin stands up as I arrive pulling my chair out. My
heart melts at the chivalrous nature of the gesture. I realize that I need to
be careful not to give him the impression I am ready to take the next step in our
relationship until I am sure I can be the woman I believe he deserves.
    Once I am seated Austin sits down sliding his chair closer to
mine and draping his arm around my shoulder. I unconsciously stiffen at the
gesture now cognizant of my body’s reaction to his every touch. I know it would
be easy to fall into his arms both literally and figuratively, but I can’t, not
yet anyway. He pulls me into him as he leans down to my ear and whispers, “Remember
past be damned, we are just having fun tonight.” He then places a feather light
kiss behind my ear softening my newfound resolve as a shiver of ecstasy runs down
my spine.
    Past be damned, just have fun I tell myself as I melt into
Austin’s side. “So Rylee tell me how did you and Austin meet,” Bella asks over
the idle chitchat going on around the table.
    Austin and I instinctively smile at one another before I turn
to her. “Austin caught my dog, Boss.”
    She looks between Austin and I who are both still grinning ridiculously
at the memory. “No, I think there is more to that story, now spill it.”
    Austin looks at me and I nod in assent signaling he can expand
further on the story. Much to my surprise, he recounts every detail including his
sweet plea for me to be his friend. By the time, he finishes the story I realize
all eyes at the table are on us and everyone is smiling.
    A round of ahh’s and so sweets follows before Austin shocks me
by pulling me into the sweetest and softest kiss of my life, our first kiss.
With his free hand, he turned my head towards him with a light touch on the
side of my face and then leaned in pressing his lips to mine. The second his
lips left mine, our eyes met, and my world begin to crumble.
    Austin senses my fear, grabs my hand, and excuses us both
from the table. With a tight arm wrapped around my waist, he leads us out of
the ballroom to a secluded stairwell. I am nearly gasping for air as the
stairwell door closes and I struggle to reign in the panic.
    Why, why did he have to do that? Why do I now crave tasting him
again? I need a little more time to sort through all of my crap. More time but
how much more time can I expect him to give me? Our first kiss, it replays repeatedly
in my head. That was our first kiss, and it was perfect yet I reacted like a
terrified child. I cannot even look at him right now for fear of my emotions.
    I hate that he has the power to bring forth all the emotions I
have kept locked away for years. I don’t like feeling like this. Well, that is
not true I love how Austin makes me come alive both physically and emotionally.
He makes me feel special and wanted. I, on the other hand, worry myself into a
tizzy and can’t let go of the past long enough to see the dream standing in
front of me asking to be my future.
    My mind is racing and my heart is beating out of my chest when
Austin cradles my face and looks deep into my eyes. I can see the worry and
tenderness in his eyes, which has a strange calming effect on me. My mind is jumbled
and I cannot find coherent words to express myself. I am not upset about the
kiss it was perfect. Hell, he is perfect. The problem is I am not ready and although
he promised me he would not push me, he is. Not knowing what else to do, I
place my forehead on his chest and just breathe.
    We stand there surrounded by silence as Austin runs his
strong hands up and down my bare arms. He leans down and kisses the top of my head
before taking a deep breath. “Ry?” My name comes out as a question and I