Page 109 of Wonderstruck

Toknow that he cared enough to fight.If he was this angry, surely it meant something. If he didn’twant me dancing with Ryan’s number, he wouldn’t have pulled me away like this.

I blinked, my eyes locking with his, the tensionso thick it almost felt like it could strangle me. “We could’ve done all this last year, Finn. Except it wouldn’t have been Ryan’s name—it would’ve been yours. It would’ve been that jersey you’re wearing right now, on my body.”

His eyes flared with something dark, his lipspressing together in a tight line as he cupped my jaw. “It wouldn’t have been on your body for long, trust me.”

Dear Lord. He shouldn’t be allowed to say thosethings. Not when he looked this good. This… wild.

I moved my head closer, our noses barelybrushing as I let my eyes dip to his mouth. “Shame we never got to do that.”

His voice dropped. “Do you want that? Want this?” His nose brushed mine. “Because if you do, if you want to forget the world, we can do that.”

My breath caught in my throat, heat poolingbetween my thighs and for a moment, all I could do was stare at him, caught between anger and a desperate pull that I couldn’t quite name. “You’ll miss the game.”

He grinned, a small, dangerous smile playing atthe corner of his mouth. “I’d rather play this one.”

If this man didn’t kiss me right this second then Iwas sure I’d burst into flames.

“I want you to believe me when I tell you I’mnot scared anymore.” I felt my eyes widen, and my lips pop.“I want you to believe me when I tell you that I'm crazy about you.” His eyes were wild. “Do you believe me?”

I believed him just in his voice alone.The pleading tone and the way he wasn’tbreaking my stare, like dropping it would end the world.

I had to remember what I’d promised myself, that this year was all about making myself happy again, not letting the past and the sadness take over.Finn wanted me. I could see it in the way hebreathed. I could hear it in his voice. And trusting him, letting myself fall for him allover again, I was happy.

My voice was caught in my throat, so instead Inodded, not breaking his stare for a second. Quick as anything, a smile rushed to his face, one that held just as much relief as it did mischief.

As his thumb began to skate over the hot skin ofmy cheek, I felt that adrenalin start to build, that heat soaring in my stomach again, and the pull I felt towards him thrusting me back into the moment. “You’re not going to make me kiss you for a second time are you, Rhodes?”

He shook his head, firm hands sliding to the backof my neck. “Never.”

Before my eyes could flutter shut, his mouth crashed down onto mine, reclaiming every part of me.

His hands glided through my hair, nipping at my warm skin as he tugged me closer.This kiss wasn't as controlled, as delicate as thelast one. There was a hungry, feral edge to it that stole what was left of my will and pulled me under completely. I parted my lips to let him in, purely because I trusted him. Because I’d never felt safer than where I was right now.

He groaned, his arms holding me in place,stopping my knees from collapsing under me as the kiss got deeper. Wilder. The flick of his tongue against mine sent me into orbit, making my body crave his. My hands trailed up his arms, feeling every muscle, every inch of him vibrating.

“Aurora.”He tilted my head back and kissed medeeper. Harder. Changing up his pace to keep me on the edge of my mind.

My hands flowed down his back, an overwhelming urge to rip off his jersey and wear it for him eating me alive. He shouldn’t know it, but somehow he was hitting every sweet spot that made me melt. My fingers curled against his skin as he switched my lips for the tender skin of my neck, sucking and claiming that spot, no doubt leaving his mark for the world to see.

I wanted them to see. Wanted them to know thatthis man was mine, whether we’d made that official or not.It felt right.Everythingabout us felt right. Andremembering what he’d said only made me hold him tighter.

“Finn.” I whimpered, my hand falling to the smallof his back as he made mine arch.

Fuck I wanted him. Wantedthis.I wanted his body andhis promises and everything he made me feel. I wanted his heartbeat against mine, that assurance that he was telling me the truth.Everything about this kiss was pure need,disguised with the sweetness of knowing that whatever was wrapped around my heart was wrapped around his.

His hands dropped to my waist, holding me againsthim, letting me feel every inch of what this kiss was doing to him. I wished that we weren’t here right now. I wished that there wasn’t a reality waiting for us just a few paces away. I wished that he’d grab my hand and run with me all the way back to my—

The sound of the klaxon was what meltedeverything away, but his mouth softened as slowly as it could, our tongues grazing one last time before we pulled back. Our eyes found each others almost instantly, glazed over with lust and need and the overwhelming glare of never wanting this moment to end.

My heart raced as I smiled up at him.

“Fuck.” He heaved, his forehead resting against mine as we both fought to catch our breath. “How can you make me feel this helpless from a kiss?”

I shrugged below him. “I’m French. It’s in ournature to be great kissers.”

“Great is the biggest understatement in theworld.” He brushed his lips over mine, as his hands glided up to cup my jaw. “I’m sorry for overreacting.”

“I think you reacted exactly the way I wanted you to.” I reached up onto the tips of my toes and quickly stole another kiss. “Now get your ass back on the ice.”

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