“What do you have in mind?” Like anything he suggested would be a deal breaker.
He rubbed a hand on the back of his neck, and I imagined what it would be like to wrap my own hands around his neck, to pull his face down to mine and claim his mouth with my own.
“Your choice.” He shrugged, and smirked. “As long as it doesn’t involve Titanic tea parties or show tunes.”
I grinned at him. “But I loved the show tunes. How did you even know that song? Seriously, Slade. Why aren’t you doing theater at school? The drama club needs you.”
He reached out to put a finger on my lips. “Years of forced theater attendance with my parents. But you’re sworn to secrecy, remember?”
All I could do was nod. He dropped his finger and my mouth burned. He met my gaze again, his eyes darkening from gold to a deep bronze. I hoped the paramedics would be able to revive me after I fully succumbed to the Slade spell.
The pounding beat of a Zedd song reverberated from his car speakers. Electricity zigged and zagged between us, and I dared myself to make the first move.
But before I could, he did.
His hand reached out to brush my skin, his fingers slowly tracing the contour of my face, from my brow bone to my jaw, down my neck to my collarbone, leaving a trail of fire in their wake. I could hardly believe my heart was still in my chest, it battered my rib cage so wildly.
He shifted in his seat, angling his body toward mine. He unbuckled his seat belt and reached across me to unbuckle mine, trapping me in his arms.
“Trina,” he whispered, his voice hoarse. Then his lips covered mine, and I stopped thinking.
My eyes drifted closed as his arms tightened around me, pulling me into him.
I giggled softly against his lips and he paused the kiss, moving his mouth away from mine just enough to speak.
“What’s funny?” he whispered, a hint of anxiety tingeing his voice.
“Nothing,” I whispered back, wrapping my hands around his neck, just like I’d imagined a hundred times. I tugged the shoelace from his hair and ran my hands through the glorious, soft waves. I heard his breath catch. “You just make me…so happy.” This time I captured his mouth, reveling in the way he pulled me closer and groaned with pleasure.
I pushed away the niggling flickers of doubt. Of wondering if I was just one more girl in his long string of conquests. Just for tonight, I wouldn’t think about that. I’d let myself go…and just be.
He teased my mouth open with his tongue, and my body seemed to know what to do, which surprised me, but I chose not to analyze, instead letting all my thoughts drift away.
A long time later we pulled apart, our breathing ragged and shallow. I wondered if my eyes mirrored the desire I saw in his. He took a long breath and closed his eyes, then his words came out in rush. “I’ve wanted to do that for a really long time.”
“You have?”
He opened his eyes, giving me a lazy, satisfied smile. “Yeah. But we have a problem.”
“A problem?” I tried to keep my voice even, though I was still trembling from the kiss. Maybe I was a horrible kisser. I didn’t have much practice. Unlike him.
“That was much, much better than I’d even imagined,” he said, his voice so low it sounded like a growl.
Relief shot through me. Relief, and something else. He must have seen it in my eyes because he swallowed and ran a hand through his hair. “So, the problem is, I can’t say good-bye. Not after that. I can’t just drive away and not see you until we’re on nanny duty again.”
This was my cue to say something flirty and seductive. Something to ratchet up the tension and tease him until he had no choice but to kiss me again. But I’d never played this game before. I hadn’t read the rulebook, so I made up my own. No games. No flirting. Just me.
“I was planning on going to a movie tonight. You could come with me.” I bit my lip nervously, waiting for his answer.
He stared at my lips, so I bit down harder, wondering why it was taking him forever to just say yes. Or no.
He squeezed his eyes shut then opened them and gave me a bone-melting smile. “Sure. Whatever you want to do. Who else is going?”
I shrugged. “Just me.”
He frowned. “You go to movies by yourself?”
I nodded, embarrassed. I did a lot of things by myself, especially on nights when Mom was working and Desi was busy with Trey.
“Okay.” He nodded. “So, maybe I can just come up to your place now? We can hang out for a while, then go to the movie.” His lips curved into a seductive smile.
I knew what he was hoping for if we hung out in my apartment. Not that I objected to more kissing. But I wasn’t sure what I’d do if he wanted more than that. Plus my mom was asleep in her bedroom, recovering from her night shift.
“Um, my mom’s home,” I said. “Sleeping. She worked a night shift. I don’t want to wake her.”
“Oh.” His face fell.
“Maybe we could…go somewhere else?”
His expression brightened. “My parents are out tonight. We can go there. Jump in the pool…” His voice trailed away. “Sorry. We don’t have to swim if you don’t want to.”
Half-naked in a pool together? Just the two of us, without the perky housewives and skinny guy like before? I swallowed and stared at my lap. Was I afraid to be alone with him? Not afraid, exactly, but…overwhelmed at the possibilities.
I pictured Desi’s knowing smile and heard her tell me to get the hell out of my apartment. Saw Mom tucking away Brian’s candles until next year’s anniversary. Heard Slade’s clear, strong voice singing to me on the mall.
I took a breath. “Let’s do it. I mean, you can swim. I can make sure your shallow end complies with all state and local regulations.”
He laughed and put a hand on my thigh, rubbing his thumb in circles on my skin. “You sure?” His voice was low and husky.
I nodded, half-expecting my skin to smoke from the fire he was stirring up inside me. “I’ll just grab my swimsuit. Be right back.” I leaped out of the car.
Inside my apartment, I glanced in the mirror, wondering if I looked different now that I’d been kissed so hard I thought I might burst. I still looked like me, but like a high def version of me, with brighter colors and sharper contrasts. Or maybe it wasn’t me who’d changed, but the way I saw things.
Slade smiled at me as I slid into the car. “That was fast.”
Did I look too eager? Desperate? I buckled my seat belt. I had no idea how to play this game, or whatever we were doing. Everything in me hoped it wasn’t just a summer fling that was only happening because we were forced to spend so much time together.
“What movie do you want to see?” he asked as we drove.
I hesitated. I doubted he’d be up for the chick flick I’d been planning to see. “Maybe The Takedown?” I named the latest action movie.
He glanced at me, surprised. “I thought you’d want to see the one set at a witch college. With the frat house full of hot demons.”
I laughed with surprise. “Actually, that’s my first choice.”
His brow furrowed. “Then why didn’t you say so?”
“Because I didn’t think you’d want to see it.”
He pulled into his driveway and turned toward me. “I’m horning in on your plans, remember?” He grinned. “Besides, I like chick flicks. Just don’t tell anyone.”
“That makes two secrets I’m keeping. Show tunes and chick flicks. I might need some incentive.”
“I’ll think of something to buy your silence.” He leered at me. Actually leered. I’d never been on the receiving end of one before, but I knew it when I saw it. “Come on.”
He took my hand as we walked up the driveway, lacing his fingers through mine and squeezing gently.
I didn’t know what we were doing or what any of this meant. But I intended to follow it all the way through, because for the first time in forever, I felt fully alive.
Chapter Thirty-Seven
Slade
Friday, July 12