Page 38 of I Never Stopped Loving You

I turn on my heel and head toward the other side of the arcade. We decide to play just the basic high score mode, taking turns back and forth for nine balls each. The game goes fast because I lose, horribly.

“See. I told you, I suck.”

“Your aim is just off a little.”

“I just think that this game hates me. Like it literally puts a barrier around the holes.”

“Can I try something?” he asks.

“Sure, what?”

“Here, turn around.”

He presses the button again, letting the balls fall down the ball release. He steps behind me, then his hands lower to my hips until I’m directly in front of him, and his strong chest is right against my back.

Okay, I wish I didn’t drink that White Claw so fast because I could use a sip now to calm my nerves. I can feel his muscles shift as he moves behind me. He leans, pulling my hair to the side and placing his lips close to my ear. His warm breath runs along my neck, and I can feel the goosebumps spreading along my body.

“Pick up a ball, Willow.”

I grab one and wait, keeping my eyes locked on the game in front of me. My heart is racing. His left hand returns to my hip, and he slightly angles my body. His right hand cups around mine and lowers my arm to my side.

“What are you doing?” I ask.

My voice can barely be heard over the music. His lips are still so close to my neck I can practically feel them on me.

“I’m going to teach you how to play Skee-ball.”

My body moves in sync with his like a puppet being controlled by its master. He pulls my arm back and tightens his hold on my hip. I can feel his body pressed against mine, and I swear to God, this feels like a dream.

“I want you to focus on the one-hundred-point hole.”

“What. I can’t hit…”

“Willow, focus. You can do whatever you set your mind to. And I’m right here to help you.”

“Okay,” I whisper.

“Good girl.”

Fuck. My body nearly melts when he says those words. I think he knows they affected me because I can feel him smile against my neck.

“Focus. Breathe in.”

I take a deep breath in, focusing only on the top left corner’s hole. The one-hundred-point spot. The one that I’ve never hit in my entire life.

Everything else in the room seems to freeze as our arms move forward together. I release the ball with him, and we watch as it rolls up the ramp and goes right into the one-hundred-point hole.

“I did it! Holy shit! It worked.”

I practically scream as I turn around and jump into his outstretched arms. My arms instinctually wrap around his neck, and his wraps around my waist, holding my body against his. I can feel his face pressed against the side of my head, his lips caressing my temple as I wrap my arms tighter around him.

“You did it, Willow. See, I told you that you could.”

He kisses my cheek as he sets me back onto the ground. He takes my hands in his, and I suddenly feel so stupid for acting like a kid over a game.

“Sorry. I just got excited. I’ve never hit that target before.”

“Why are you apologizing?”