I swallow hard, my heart knocking against my chest as if it wants to be let out.
Shit. I thought that was it. That the big one was coming, and I was finally going to test out exactly how soft Blake’s lips were at last.
“The books?” I mouth. Okay, I’ll admit he threw me for a loop.What do you want to know?
I went to the library and looked into a few romance novels.His smile defuses as he holds out his phone.They weren’t as sweet and innocent as I thought they would be.
My chest bucks with a laugh as I bury my face in my hands. I come up for air, and he tweaks his brows seductively. They’re dark and broad, and I want nothing more than to trace them out with my finger. As wild as some of the novels I’ve read are, I’m sure Blake has lived out ten times that much and more. Just the thought makes me uneasy.
He makes a face into his phone before showing me.For a girl who’s never been kissed, that’s some pretty serious stuff.
Maybe, but a girl has to start somewhere.I reply as quick as my fingers will let me. In all reality I’m off to a pretty slow start. Even Kaya, my lifelong, tied to the hip, best friend has done the deed with her longtime boyfriend. But in Kaya’s defense they were in love, and he was tired of waiting. They broke up three months later. And that, right there, is my worst nightmare in a nutshell—giving it away to someone who is willing to forget you just three months later.
“You might want to pace yourself when it comes to reality.” He motions to his lips and shrugs as if asking if I understood. I offer a quick thumbs up before responding.
Why do you care if I pace myself?I offer a challenging smile.Do you pace yourself?
Blake gives a long blink because we both know I’ve caught him red handed. Blake Daniels isn’t the pacing type, and he all but admitted it. The wind settles a moment, and the trees stop swaying in the breeze long enough to create a dark, emerald backdrop to Blake’s errant good looks. It’s safe to say Blake doesn’t need to pace himself when it comes to girls. He can travel as fast as he wants—he most likely does.
“I’m not you. I’m not good at pacing myself. And, trust me, you don’t want to be me.” He blows out a breath as he looks to the horizon. Blake pulls out his phone again.After my brother died I sort of slowed down. The guys in the band like to call the girls who flock the stage ‘rock candy.’ Let’s just say I’ve had my fair share of rock candy.
Rock candy? As in groupies? Sounds tasty.And slightly sexist but that doesn’t seem to bother me.
“Yes, groupies.” He reaches over and wraps his fingers through my hair a moment before letting it fall to my shoulder. My knees go weak at the simple action, and my heart starts to hammer in my chest again. A part of me wants to tell him he’s already got those romance novels beat, but I don’t dare boost his ego. Yet. “And I promise it’s nothing to be intrigued about.”
Yeah? What if I wanted to be one of those rock candy girls?
His smile digs in deep and devious, a hint of lust in his eyes that makes me want to figure out how to turn it up like the heat of a dangerous fire.
“I think you’re better off being you.” His features dim to pitch like a candle the wind just blew out.
What’s wrong?I scoot in close, and now it’s me running my fingers through his hair. It’s softer than I imagined, thicker, and slick enough to make me glide right through it.
Blake leans back with a perplexed expression that lets me know he doesn’t quite know how to put it into words. I guess I’m not rock candy material. Not that I find this revelation shocking, but it does make me wonder what he’s doing with me.
“Sorry.” I mouth as I pull my fingers from his neck.
“No, it isn’t that.” He covers my hand with his and warms it against his chest before hitting his phone.It’s just—it makes me sad that you weren’t able to hear the music.
I sag into him with a tired grin before jotting down a note.Is that how you cast your spell on all those unsuspecting girls?The truth is, I didn’t need to hear anything last night. I was already under his spell from the moment he pinned me to that bush. It would figure. I’m probably the only girl on the planet who could find herself in the bushes with a gorgeous boy and have it be totally chaste. My brothers should be proud. I’m the hero of virgins everywhere.
He belts out a laugh, and I can feel his body shaking with joy.
“No, I promise that’s not it.” He lets go to type into his cellphone.But if I told you my secrets, things might get dicey up here, and for sure your brothers would want to kill me.
Fair enough. Maybe you can lend me the lyric sheets to some of your songs? I would love to know what you’re singing up there.
He smiles into the phone.Done.
The sun starts to dip into the horizon, and he motions for us to head to the overlook one more time. Blake puts his arm around my shoulder once again, and it feels natural, not at all intrusive. If Tristan were bold enough to try it, I might be moved to fling him over the side of the mountain myself. But, with Blake, I find myself leaning in closer, yearning for the heat from his body to keep me warm. I want to take it all in—all of him. My face turns toward his as I inhale his fresh, soapy scent, the mint streaming from his breath. Blake turns just enough, and our noses almost touch. My stomach stings in a wild pang of heat. A chill runs through me from head to toe, and I feel light headed and euphoric all at the same time. His gorgeous eyes bear into mine, and no matter how much my stomach demands to drop to middle earth, I can’t look away. My heart rattles out a threat, and, right about now, I don’t care if it leaps from my throat.
“Are you going to let me kiss you?” he says the words slowly, and I have to laugh because I realize he desperately wanted me to understand them.
I shake my head.
“Why not?” He winces, genuinely perplexed. I’m pretty sure Blake Daniels isn’t too familiar with the word no.
I pull back and dive into my phone just trying to get my bearings.Because I hardly know you.You’re a perfect stranger, remember?I try to ignore the fact this perfect stranger has his arm wrapped around my shoulder.
