Her cheeks pinken under my heated gaze.
“I’ll leave you too it.” I step back, and I know it’s not out of choice.
“Wait.” She catches me off guard as she slips from the table that is set up for her and rounds her way to me.
We’re standing toe to toe. She is slightly taller than usual because of her chunky sandals.
“You look beautiful.” I smile, my eyes bouncing between hers.
“Thank you.” She drops her face for just a moment.
My finger and thumb grip her chin as I slowly tilt her face up. “Don’t ever hide from me.” The words I have said to her before bring back memories for both of us and the urge to trace every inch of her skin overwhelms me.
Edging forward, I slide my lips over hers, kissing her softly. Her small hands place on my chest, fingers curling into my tee as she clutches. Teasing my tongue, she moulds herself into me and just as I am getting into it, she pulls back, fingers to her lips.
“I’ll see you later?” There is hopefulness in my tone, and she gives a soft nod.
My heart is racing in my chest. My skin feels clammy and it takes everything in me to turn and walk away. This will put those rumours to rest.
Nora’s dagger gaze pierces through my skin but I don’t care. She would have dealt with it delicately; I dealt with it how it needed to be done.
“Oh.” I bend and hook the bag on the tips of my fingers. “This is for you.”
My heart is caught in my throat. I may seem like I am cool on the outside, but internally I feel like a teen boy with a crush. My pulse thrashes around in my chest like a wild horse and I can’t seem to rope it and bring it back home.
“Open it later,” I rush out as she just about slips her hand into the bag.
“Okay,” she whispers, stepping towards me again as her lips dust over mine.
My arm snakes around her waist as I pull her body flush to mine. “Can I see you tonight?” I whisper against her lips. Her hand is pressed against my chest again and I swear she can feel the way my heart is thumping beneath her fingertips.
“I’m going out with the girls,” her answering whisper is shaky, a pull of disappointment swirling.
“No problem.” I peck her on the lips again and pull away. “Have fun.” I wink, ignoring the burn that radiates through my body as I walk away.
Once I am outside, I inhale deeply and continue walk down the alley.
“Well, I think that’ll shut the Cowan rumours down, don’t you?” Kai says with sarcasm and I flip him off in response.
We wander around down by the marina. Kai is aimlessly talking for the sake of it, I am sure. I give the odd nod, make a grunt every now and then, but all I can think about is her. The way she consumes my mind at any given second.
It’s not healthy. It’s like a drug that I am constantly chasing. Like a dopamine fix. It’s sickening. Never has a girl got me this twisted. Ever. It’s like a sickness with no cure. Oh wait, there is a cure. Athena-fucking-Stanley.
“Did you hear me?” Kai snaps and I sigh, turning to face him.
“Er,” I mutter, looking over the marina, the yachts bobbing gently on the water.
“You prick.” Kai chuckles.
I half laugh, trying to replay what he had said. “You’re going to have to say it again,” I admit, sighing.
“How you feeling about this weekend?”
My lips curl into a smile. “Okay, I think.” I don’t look at him. “But I have your words replaying over and over.”
“Yeah?” He smirks. “Which ones?” He is so fucking cocky I can’t stand it.
“About how I have driven since she’s been at the races.”
