Page 24 of Everything But Mine

“Why would you embarrass yourself?” I asked, forcing my voice to stay casual. “You’re smarter than any of those girls. I probably know some of them.”

“Well.” A shade of pink tinted her cheeks. “I’ve just never kissed a boy before. Not like that. You know… with tongue.” The pink darkened even further, her eyes skipping away from mine.

“That’s what you’re worried about?”

She nudged me with her knee. “Easy for you to say. You’ve been making out since you were, what? Twelve?”

“Excuse me, I was thirteen. You think I’m some kind of floozie?” I pretended to be offended.

She laughed, and it made me happy to see her shoulders relax.

Forcing air into my lungs, I shifted slightly. Then, feeling like I was walking a tightrope, I turned to face her fully. “You want to practice?”

Amanda’s fingers stilled. Crickets chirped around us, the laughter from inside suddenly too distant.

She looked at me then—really looked at me. “Are you serious?”

I lifted a shoulder like it didn’t matter. “Sure. No pressure. Just so you’re not nervous when this guy finally notices you.” I bumped my shoulder into her. “And he will.”

Her eyes flickered to my mouth. But she didn’t move.

I leaned in just enough so Amanda knew I was serious, but not so much that it would be weird if she brushed me off. It was up to her. It should always be her call.

She leaned closer, then hesitated just for a second, just enough for me to feel her breath on my lips. And then she closed the gap.

At first, it was nothing. Just a press of her mouth to mine. Until something shifted.

She was warm, impossibly soft, and I hadn’t been prepared for the way my pulse jumped. Her hands braced lightly to my knee, fingers twitching until she moved closer and curled them around the hem of my shirt, pulling me in.

I tilted my head slightly, deepening the kiss—not much, just enough to feel the way she responded, the tiny inhale she took. Her lips parted against mine, and I flicked my tongue at hers.

I pulled back, ducking back toward her to lay one quick closed-mouthed kiss on her, then inching back, eyes darting up to hers to gauge her reaction. To ensure she was still comfortable with it. Hoping Amanda would want more, yet telling myself she’d be overwhelmed.

Instead, she went all in, tilting her head the other way. She teased my lips with her tongue, eager, and a bit clumsy. There was passion in the way her tongue coiled around mine, demanding a reaction out of me.

A slow burn started in my chest.

She breathed evenly, and I felt it on my jaw, steady, sure, as she took the lead away from me. This time, I pulled her closer, my palm against the small of her back. She snaked her hand onto my left side, fingers sneaking under my shirt this time.

Our kiss was hers to command. It was like she had done it for hours.

Amanda slowed it down this time. I fought the impulse to invite her tongue to dance with mine again. Instead, I let her break away, pecking my lips softly. I returned each kiss with one of my own, and traced her nose with mine with a tenderness I didn’t know I had.

I swallowed, breathing in her lavender scent, dragging my palm up her back until I could wrap a finger around a lock of her auburn hair. She was gorgeous, and she was looking at no one but me, anticipation and sweetness shining in her darker virid eyes.

I forced a smirk. “Yeah, he’s gonna enjoy that.”

Amanda blinked at me, narrowing her eyes, the softness gone.

Her lips still brushed mine when she spoke. “You want me to go and kiss someone else now? Just like that?” She pecked my lips. “Because your jaw tensed just now.” Her tongue darted out. She smiled against my lips.

She wasn’t wrong. My chest had come apart at the seams, and I didn’t know how to stitch it closed again.

I forced a chuckle, shaking my head. “I’m fine. Just looking out for your technique.”

She made a face, but there was something knowing in her eyes. “Right. Well, thanks for the lesson.”

She pulled away, shifting completely out of my embrace. My hand landed on her knee as she moved, and I left it there, grounding myself in the feel of her skin.