My breath whooshes out of me when I see her come around the corner of the english building. I saw her last night, kissed her until our lips were numb, and then missed her the second she left my car and went upstairs to her apartment.
Now she’s coming to me, walking in that graceful way she has, as if she’s floating and thinking of something peaceful.
“Hey, you,” she says in a thick voice, sliding her arms around my neck. “Good idea.”
I texted her two hours ago, right before school, and asked her to meet me ten minutes after third period began. I chose third period because I know Kelsey will be across campus in a math class. No chance of her leaving class for any reason and spotting us.
“I come up with good ideas from time to time.” My hands wrap around her waist, and I tug until she’s flush against me.
She breathes deeply, her chest filling and pressing into me. Leaning my head into her, I groan into her ear. Ember does things to me that I don’t understand. She steals my breath and fills me all at the same time, makes my head spin and kidnaps my thoughts. She smells like sunflowers and citrus, and it gives me the very best high, one I never want to come down from.
My lips hover a millimeter from hers, and I let them hang there. Her lips turn up in a playful grin.
“I can resist longer than you can,” she says playfully.
The competitor in me awakens. “I doubt that.”
“Try me,” she whispers, her breath tickling my lips. I nearly lose it right there, but my love for sport stops me.
I start at her wrist, trailing my finger along it, then up the sensitive skin on the inside of her arm. She’s wearing a tank top, and when I reach her shoulder, I slide my finger beneath the strap and let it slide down the curve and onto the swell of her chest. Her quiver makes me want to stop, drag her into my car, drive to her empty apartment, and take her places she’s never been before.
“Mmmm,” she moans softly, pressing harder into me.
“What the fuck?”
Our heads turn as one.
Hands on hips, mouth open wide, eyes gleaming with shock and the pleasure of a juicy secret, is Tana Blockhill.
Kelsey’s best friend.Loose term, of course. Kelsey calls Tana a bitch behind her back.
Tana laughs. A deep, throaty,I-can’t-believe-it-but-I’m-happy-I-know-itsound.
Four seconds ago, Ember was moaning from enjoyment, but the sound she’s making now is frustrated and fearful.
Tana walks closer. Her sneer reminds me of a jungle cat, the way it pulls up on one side and bares only a few teeth.
“You’ve moved on quickly,” she says, gaze fixed on me. She flicks her eyes to Ember, who has taken two steps back from our embrace. “With fire crotch.”
I flick my hand out, gesturing behind Tana. “Run along. Go tell Kelsey what you saw. We both know it’s the first thing you’re going to do.”
“She deserves to know,” Tana hisses. Her gaze shifts from me to Ember and back again.
“You know we broke up, Tana. Go do something better with your time.” I grab Ember by the hand and pull her until we’re around the side of the building. I try to tug her into my arms, but she resists.
“I’ve made it almost all of high school without drama.” Her eyes flash. She’s angry.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to bring this on us.” Reaching out, I run a finger along her cheekbone. Her mouth runs in a straight, pissed off line, but her skin warms beneath my touch. “Are you opposed to skipping?” I ask.
She doesn’t seem like the rule-following type. Ember does whatever she feels inclined to do. With her, it doesn’t seem like there’s much forethought.
She slowly shakes her head.
“Then let’s get out of here,” I say, encouraged when I see her bite her bottom lip and nod excitedly.
I pull her past the science building towards the gym. “There’s an exit over here. Nobody uses it, and it’s not visible from any of the classrooms over there.”
“Do you skip often?”
