Page 70 of The Pinkie Pact

"That's amazing actually."

"I think so too."

I was definitely starting to see how it could appeal to him, but the reality of him not being around much in the coming days began to sink in, sending me into a depressed funk. "So when do you leave?" I asked, trying not to sound too down about it.

"Tuesday morning." He really looked at me, taking in my face at another stoplight. "Are you okay with that?"

I nodded. "I'll be fine."

Maybe I was too convincing because then he asked, "Will you miss me? Maybe a little?"

"Are you fishing?" I joked, smiling at him as the glow from the lights lit up our corner.

He threw his head back, laughing. "Definitely."

The light turned green and we crossed. When we reached the other side, the street was very dark, and Kieran suddenly pulled me into an empty shop front.

"What are you doing?" I gasped.

But he didn't answer, just captured my lips with his in another one of his heart-stopping kisses. I couldn't help but think of Bear and how he'd praised my kisses. But Kieran? There was nothing on this earth like it, and maybe I could actually learn from him, the way he teased, making me always want more, never getting enough of him.

His hands roamed my body, grabbing onto me, exploring... hot and greedy, like he wanted me, needed me, and had to have me. He groaned against my mouth, and the sound sent a shockwave of passion deep into my core, spiraling inside me.

"Do you have any idea what you're doing to me?" he whispered, his breath heated on my skin, making me tingle all over. "I'd better get you home before... well..."

He pulled away, leaving a coldness where I had been burning hot a split second ago. The words were on the tip of my tongue, and I came this close to inviting myself back to his place. But something stopped me.

"And we are right by the World Bank," he said, glancing at the impressive building across the street.

That made me laugh. What was up with getting hot and heavy right near such big institutions? DC was weird.

The rest of the walk passed by too quickly, and the dread in my stomach grew at having to say goodbye to him already after these two amazing nights we had spent together. I didn't want to feel this way. I wasn't supposed to feel this way. Kieran was just supposed to be fun, but it had somehow become more than that. And quickly.

Outside my dorm, it seemed like he was maybe feeling the same way. "You know, you can call me, text me, any time," he said.

I nodded, still surprised at how sad I felt.

"Youwillcall me, right?" he asked. "You're not going to ghost me, are you?"

"No." But if he was off doing something so important and probably busy as hell, wouldn't he be annoyed at me texting him or even worse calling? "But honestly, I kind of already know..."

"Know what?"

"Well, I'll feel like I'm bothering you. Like what if I call you when you're up on stage or something? I mean, I know you'll probably have your phone turned off... but..." Oh, man, I was really feeling kind of awkward about the whole thing.

"How about this, beautiful?"

What were we talking about again? God, when he called me that, everything else left my mind. "Um, what?"

"How about I text you whenever I'm about to go on stage? That way you know why I might not pick up."

"Okay."

"And maybe you could send out a good vibe or something for me that I won't fall on my ass walking across the stage."

"I could maybe do that."

Smiling up at him, I just wanted him to kiss me again, and my message must have been clear because before I knew what hit me, his lips were on me, stealing the breath out of me, giving me a goodbye kiss that I wouldn't forget anytime soon.

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