DON’T STOP (Lila and Darrell) novel Chapter 30

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Wrecking her innocence 10

Wrecking her innocence 30

Lila

We were done for the day. The sky had already turned dark, deep blue fading into black at the edges Streetlights flickered on one by one as we strolled back toward the house. The air felt cooler now, carrying that sharp evening bite Jerry walked beside rne, hands in his pockets most of the way, chatting about random things-the worst ice cream flavor he’d ever red a funny story about Ken falling off a fence last month, how he once tried to ride a cow on a dare and ended up in the mud laughed more than I expected to. It felt good. Light. Like I could breathe without everything hurting

Then, without warning, Jerry reached over and took my hand.

My whole body startled. I stopped walking. Turned to him. Looked down at our joined hands – his bigger, rough from work mine small and cold then back up at his face.

He smiled softly, a little sheepish. “Do you mind?” he asked. “My hands are really cold, and I figured yours might be warm Which is true, of course.”

I stared at him for a second. My heart gave a small, surprised jump. Then I nodded quietly. “It’s okay” I said.

We started walking again. His hand stayed in mine. Warmth spread from his palm to my fingers. He didn’t swing our hards or make a big deal out of it. He just held on – gentle, steady, like it was the most natural thing in the world. And somehow. it started to feel that way too.

Jerry kept talking. He asked questions. Easy ones. About the city. About my friends. About what I liked to do when I wasn’t stuck on a ranch. I found myself answering. Really answering. Not short replies. Actual sentences. Stories. Laughs. I couldn’t help it. He listened like he actually cared. Like every word I said mattered. And for the first time in days, I didn’t feel like I had to hide or pretend or hold everything in.

When we finally reached the house, the porch light was on. The truck was still gone. Ryder wasn’t back yet.

Jerry stopped at the bottom of the steps. He didn’t let go of my hand right away.

“Well,” he said, looking up at the house, then back at me. “You’re back home. So… how was today?”

I looked down at our joined hands. Then up at him. A small, real smile tugged at my lips. “I really enjoyed it,” I said softly.” Thanks to you. To be honest, you’re really fun to be with.”

Jerry’s smile widened. He looked proud. “Yeah, I know that.”

I chuckled and shook my head. “You’re really full of yourself, aren’t you?”

He smirked. “Only when it’s true.”

We stood there quietly for a moment. Just staring at each other. The night air was cool around us. The porch light cast soft shadows on his face. His eyes were warm, kind and patient. I didn’t know what to do. The silence stretched. Not uncomfortable exactly. Just… full. Like something was waiting to happen.

Neither of us moved.

Neither of us looked away.

I suddenly noticed Jerry coming closer. His steps were slow and careful, like he was giving me time to pull away if I wanted. He stopped right in front of me. His hand lifted gently and rested on the side of my cheek. His thumb brushed my skin softly. He leaned in slowly. His face came closer. His eyes dropped to my lips.

My heart slammed against my ribs. I could feel the warmth of his breath. The moment stretched. He was about to kiss me. I turned my head quickly. My cheek pressed against his palm instead. I couldn’t do it. Not now. Not like this.

Jerry froze. He took a step back immediately. “I’m really sorry,” he said fast. “I didn’t-”

That was when I heard the truck.

It pulled up fast. Tyres crunched on the gravel. The engine cut off sharply.

I looked over. Ryder stepped out. His door slammed behind him. His face was hard. Jaw tight. Eyes dark and fixed on us. Panic rushed through me. I didn’t think. I just acted.

I stepped closer to Jerry, went up on my tiptoes, and wrapped my arms around his neck. And kissed him.

My lips pressed against his. Soft at first. Then firmer I closed my eyes tight. I wanted to forget Ryder was there. I wanted

need him. That I could move on. to forget how much it hurt. I wanted Ryder to Successfully unlocked!

Jerry froze for a second. His eyes widened in shuun. Came up slowly and rested on my waist. He kissed me back

gentle, surprised, careful.

Wracking her innocence 30

The truck engine roared to life again. Tyres spun on gravel. The sound grew distant fast

Ryder was gone.

I opened my eyes. The driveway was empty. The truck was out of sight

I sighed softly. The kiss ended. I stepped back from Jerry.

Jerry’s hand flew to his mouth. His eyes were huge. “Oh my,” he said. “What was that?”

He looked shocked. But also… happy. A small, dazed smile tugged at his lips.

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