Page 42 of Styx & Stones

“To being a kid. To being free of cancer and all these stupid teen hormones, and school ... and life?”

“No.”

“Why not?”

“Because when I was a kid, I still had cancer.”

“Shit.” I shake my head. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean—”

“And when I was a kid, I couldn’t do this ...” Styx leans across the space between us. I stare at him like he’s lost his damn mind, but he slides his hand behind my neck, threads it into my hair, and pulls me closer. I hold my breath, waiting, wishing he’d erase the excruciating distance between us where his mouth hovers over mine. “I’m gonna fucking kiss you now, Stones.”

He searches my gaze. His lip quirks in a crooked smile.

“’Bout time.” I debate closing the gap, but I want him to do just as he said, and fucking kiss me. With bated breath, I wait.

Styx’s lips finally brush mine. It’s the softest of touches, but I feel it everywhere. A live wire arcing between his body and mine. A spark, a flame, a fiery comet burning through us, fusing us, forging us.

His lips part mine, his tongue slips inside, and I moan against his mouth. I open for him. I’ve kissed boys, I’ve let them take things further than I was ready to, but with Styx, it’s not enough. We’re not close enough. His thick thumb strokes the nape of my neck. I slide my hands from his face to his chest. His skin is so warm. Is he burning up like me? Does he feel this heat and desire the way I do?

I scramble across the couch, knocking the bowl of popcorn to the floor. I climb into his lap.

“Oops.” I sink my teeth into my bottom lip, swollen from his kisses. “Sorry.”

Styx slides his hands down my back and grabs my ass. “I’m not.”

I search his face, a little embarrassed now that I’m straddling his lap. He grins up at me, takes my chin between his thumb and forefinger. “You’re so fucking beautiful.”

I laugh. “I’m so glad you brushed your teeth.”

“Cute, Stones. Real fucking cute.” He shoves me on the sofa and climbs on top, the way he did earlier in his room. He wedges himself into the space between my legs on the narrow cushions. “You used your wish yet?”

I frown, not wanting to talk cancer right now. I want to be reckless and wild. I want to kiss until my lips hurt, until my body can’t stand the savage ache between my legs. I want to seize the freaking day, because who knows how many more we’ll get? “No. I figured I’d save it for something noble like a free trip to Amsterdam to meet my favorite recluse writer.”

Styx rests his weight on his elbows and studies my face. “Oh, Christ. Tell me you didn’t watch that film?”

“Worse. I read the book.”

He scrunches up his nose. I never realized how cute his nose was before this. “God, I feel so dirty.”

“Shut up. The Fault in Our Stars is literary genius at its finest.”

“More like sadomasochism. Who wants to read a book that rips their heart out?”

“For someone so against it, I can’t help but think you might have read this book you find so abhorrent.”

“Nah, I watched the movie.”

“You’re a dick.”

“And you’re coming with me.” He kisses my lips and then pulls away. Styx stands up and holds out his hand.

Is he crazy?He wants to leave now?What is wrong with this guy?

“Um ... no. We just got to the kissing. I have no intention of going anywhere.”

“Not even Disneyland?”

“What are you talking about?” I frown, wondering what he put on that popcorn. “Are you high?”