“Thank you.” My lips curl into a tiny smile.
“Lennon?”
My name is a whisper coming off his lips, slipping down onto mine. Looking into his eyes, I already know what he’s asking. It’s a question he’s been asking silently for so long. And tonight I’m ready. Ready to be held and consoled, ready to let something else take over in my brain.
A surge of adrenaline zings through me. “Yes?”
“Can I—”
“Yes,” I answer without hesitation, so certain I know what he’s asking.
I’m right.
His mouth lowers to mine, gentle at first, both of us in shock. The tender hesitance quickly turns to hunger. His lips take more of me, his tongue sweeps the inside of my mouth. He groans into me, and then there’s a second sound, a more feminine moan.Mine.His hands run up the sides of my body, over my back, and into my hair. I taste the toothpaste he used before bed, but more than that I taste him.Brady.The inevitability of this long-awaited meeting of our lips makes his kiss even sweeter.
I break the kiss to breathe, and Brady turns his head slightly, his ragged breath hot on my bare shoulder, making my whole body feel even hotter. Our chests bump against one another with each new breath we drag in.
I look over his shoulder and spy something that could either make the rest of this night very right, or very wrong. In this moment, I don’t care. My mind is a mess, and I want to run from it. “Brady?”
He looks down at me, his gaze starry. “Hmm?”
Lifting a finger, I point in the direction of my find.
Brady’s gaze follows, then he turns back to me. “Lennon... are you sure?”
I step away from him and reach back for his hand, then lead him past the pool. I haven’t answered him verbally but I figure my actions are an adequate response.
The pool house door opens with a muted protest, and locks with a single, loud click. Brady pushes me against the door, his mouth on the skin beside my lips.
“Just like at your apartment that night,” he says, his breath tickling my cheek.
“But this time?”
“This time I won’t stop myself.”
Brady takes my hand, leading me through the small kitchen toward the bedroom at the back. For a moment I see third-grade Brady, leading me out to recess. Anticipation sends a shiver down my spine.
At the edge of the bed, Brady turns to me, pulling me in and kissing me until I’m gasping for breath. His hands reach under my shirt, skimming my waistline. I know what’s coming, and it’s something I want. I’m certain it is.
So why then, in this moment when I should be drunk on endorphins, do I see Finn?
22
Now
Finn
“I’ll be back later tonight or sometime tomorrow.” I grab my ball cap and pull it down over my forehead.
“Heading up?” Uncle Jeff looks over from the television.
“Yeah,” I answer, checking my back pocket for my wallet and my front pocket for my keys.
“You getting close?” A flicker of excitement flashes through his eyes. It’s the only thing he’s looking forward to. It’s his one good thing.
I nod. “Working on the flooring and countertops.”
His palms rub together and he nods vigorously. “Only a little more to do.”
