Arcadia's Gift(46)

But it wasn’t just the warmth of his hands that were heating me up. Waves of excitement and anticipation rolled between us. My heart palpitated wildly.
I raised my eyes to meet his. Though the corner of his mouth curved upward, his expression was serious. Even in the dark, I could see his gaze dip to my lips.
Bryan lifted a hand to touch a lock of my hair. So softly I could barely hear it, he whispered, “Cady, I want to kiss you.”
Somehow I was able to swallow the lump in my throat and reply, “I want you to kiss me too.”
A glimmer of exhilaration flashed in his eyes as he leaned down and slanted his lips on top of mine. It wasn’t the first time I’d been kissed —I guess I had to count Tyler Galvin from ninth grade —but being able to feel the emotion from both mine and Bryan’s perspectives was almost indescribable. Waves of nervousness turned into waves of pleasure as our lips parted deepening the kiss. The soft scent of his cologne mingled with the sweetness of his ice cream taste, making my head swim with delicious intoxication.
My breath became ragged as adrenaline coursed through our bodies. I gripped his shoulders for fear my legs would melt out from under me. Bryan placed a warm hand on the small of my back and threaded the fingers of his other hand through the back of my hair, sending shivers down my neck. Energy flowed back and forth between us in each place we touched like feedback. So complete was the emotional circuit between us, I almost couldn’t sense where I stopped and he started. I pushed my body against his, unable to get close enough. The pressure building and building until —.
Bryan’s mouth lifted from mine. I gasped. I could still feel the humming between us, but there was also a twinge of disappointment…on both of our parts, I think.
He touched his forehead to mine, his eyes drifting closed. “I wish I could stay here and kiss you all night, but my parents are probably home and wondering where I am.”
With reluctance, I took a shaky step back. “See you tomorrow?”
“Definitely.” He gave my hands a final squeeze before turning to walk back to his car. I waited until he pulled away from the curb before going into the house.
I ran up the stairs and flung myself on top of my bed. I could still taste him on my lips, smell him on my skin. I replayed the kiss over and over through my mind. Man, that boy could kiss!
I rolled onto my side, curling around a pillow. So, what did it mean? I now knew for sure that Bryan liked me, but how is it I really felt about him? Did I want a boyfriend? I kind of liked not being one of those girls who spent their entire high school years obsessing over some boy. It just seemed too exhausting. But Bryan was different, wasn’t he? When I was with him, things felt easier somehow. His calming presence soothed the stress of my life.
A short vibration in my pocket alerted me to a text message. I reached for my phone and checked the screen. The message was from Bryan and it read, “THAT WAS FREAKING AMAZING!”
Yes, it was.






 
    Nine by Night: A Multi-Author Urban Fantasy Bundle of Kickass Heroines, Adventure,   Magic
    
 


 

Chapter 20


I took my car to school the next day, so I could go straight to the animal shelter after classes ended. When I pulled in, I spotted Shawn leaning against his car, fiddling with his iPhone. Only he could pull off plaid pants and make them look stylish.
“Die, Pigs!” he grunted through clenched teeth as I approached.
“Playing Angry Birds again?” I asked.
He glanced up at me and gave me a half smile before turning his attention back to his game. “Yeah…it’s addictive.”
“Well, put it away. The bell is going to ring in like three minutes.”
“Fine,” he grumbled, locking his phone and shoving it into his back pants pocket. “I called you last night, but you didn’t answer your cell.”
“Yeah,” I said, as we walked toward the building, “The ringer set on vibrate, so by the time I noticed you called I was getting ready for bed. Did you need anything important?”
“Not really...just wanted to ask you about Bryan.”
“What about him?” I asked, trying to project casual disinterest while my insides turned to spaghetti at the mention of his name.
“Well, yesterday at lunch…he looked kinda into you.”
“Did he?” I asked, unable to keep the grin off my face.
Shawn laughed and shucked my arm. “Aw, man! You do have the hots for him!”
“Shut up,” I replied, giving him a little shove.
“Well, you do right?”
“I guess…”
“Cady’s got a boyfriend…” he teased, but only loud enough for me to hear. “Seriously, I think it’s cool that you’re finally interested in someone around here. He seems like a cool guy. Those eyes are to die for.”