Page 44 of The Sun and Her Star

For a horrible second, I think he’s going to say no.

Then, he opens his eyes and I can I see that I was wrong. There’s a storm in them. One that looks like it’s been building, and I want it to sweep me away.

His hands on my waist tighten, and he pulls me into him.

“If I kiss you now, I’m afraid I won’t be able to stop,” he says gruffly.

Our bodies are pressed together. Every inch of him feels like it was made just to hold my weight.

“That’s all right. I won’t mind,” I assure him.

His laugh sounds like a tortured moan, and his gaze roams my face searchingly.

“Why can’t I say no to you?”

I sift my fingers into his hair, and the hum of pleasure that sounds from deep in his throat makes me quiver.

“’Cause, I’m your sun.” I press a kiss to the underside of his chin. “And you’re my star.” I lay another one on his cheek, and I feel the rush of his breath as he exhales and draws me even nearer. “But most importantly, because you … don’t … want to.”

He rests his forehead on mine and moves our heads from side to side. His chest heaves with the effort he’s making to hold back.

“God, Apollo,” he mutters as if it hurts to say my name.

His lips are so close, I can almost taste them and my pulse thrums with the need to feel them.

“Oomph,” I gasp as I’m pushed from behind. A pair of skateboarders whiz past us with a “sorry!” and wave.

“What assholes,” Graham says, and I look back at him. The moment’s gone, and my stomach sinks when I think I see relief in his eyes.

“Are you … did you notwantto kiss me?” I blurt out.

He jerks back a little, his eyes wide with surprise. “You know better than that, Sunshine,” he says softly.

“Then why haven’t you?” I ask him, frustration shoving my pride aside.

“Because I want to do thingsright.Apollo, you’reseventeen,”he says with an exasperated voice that irks me.

“You act like I’m achild,” I shout at him.

“No, Idon’t,”he pushes back.

“Youdo,I don’t know any seventeen-year-olds who are virgins. I’m the only one,” I complain. It doesn’treallybother me. Except when I’m with Graham. I wish I could give it to him.

“That’s not a bad thing,” he says.

“Are you?” I blurt out before I can think better of it. I slap my hand over my mouth and stare at him in horror.

My outburst is met with silence and a surprised expression of his own.

God, how I want those words back. I don’t want to know. “Forget I asked,please. Let’s just go eat.” I grab his hand and look at him pleadingly, my eyes begging him to spare me from my own impulsivity and let me remain ignorant.

“Apollo,” he says gently and takes my other hand in his. “I’m still a virgin, too.” I nearly sag with relief and don’t bother to hide it. “Maybe it’s the way I was raised, but I plan on waiting until I can be with someone I love,” he says softly, and I deflate.

“Oh … I see,” I say and lower my head to hide my disappointment. “And you don’t loveme?Not like that?” I ask softly.

He slips a finger under my chin and tilts my head upward. I don’t resist, but I can’t meet his eye.

“Apollo, I love you in every way possible,” he says softly. My eyes fly back to his face and I search his eyes for the truth. … Oh,yes, I can see it.

---