“He’s always forbidden me from coming here, so one day I want to drive up beside him, roll down my window, and wave.”
I show Kane my bratty little wave, and he shakes his head, chuckling, his shoulders shaking.
“He’ll love that.”
Relaxed in his seat, a small smile dimpling his cheeks, he looks at me again.
“After you’ve given your brother an aneurysm, what then? Where is the world taking you?”
My smile dims slightly, not out of sadness, at least not necessarily. The truth is I’ve never let myself think about thefuture. It’s a given that Summer will escape this town. But me? I don’t know what’s waiting for me.
“I’m not sure.”
“You must have some dreams?”
“Dreams don’t flourish in the Falls.”
“I don’t believe you.” Kane straightens slightly and leans closer. “I can see it in your smile.”
My cheeks heat. His eyes hook mine, daring me to look away. I don’t.
I can’t.
“Maybe your dreams are elusive and rare, like your smiles. But every now and then you glimpse them, don’t you? It’s what keeps you going.”
“Maybe my dream is to stay strong for Summer so she can make it out of here.”
His eyebrows draw together, and he cups my cheek. “No,” he murmurs, the leather seat creaking as he shifts even closer.
“You deserve more than that.” His thick voice whispers over my lips. “So much fucking more.”
And then he kisses me.
TWENTY-ONE
JESSICA
Imelt in no time because no one kisses like Kane.
He is everywhere, consuming me with firm strokes of his tongue before breaking away to catch his breath. I open my eyes to find him gazing at my tingling lips as if he can still taste me.
“Be my girlfriend.”
I blink, and a surprised smile breaks free. “Did you just ask me to be your girlfriend?”
He curls a strand of hair around his finger, intent on the motion, then looks me in the eye with such sincerity that my heart stutters. “Yeah, I did.”
A strangled laugh escapes me. “We’re not in middle school, Kane. You can’t just ask me to be your girlfriend.”
He holds my gaze a beat longer. My smile slowly fades as he unwinds the lock of hair, brushes his fingers over my cheek, and drags his thumb across my mouth. “Humor me, baby.”
Humor him? This is madness, but what else is new when it comes to Kane Ravencourt?
“You want me to be your girlfriend?”
“You already are. I just want to hear you say it.”
I duck my head, trying to hide the blush creeping into my cheeks. “I’m not your girlfriend.”
