Page 335 of As the Rain Falls
I could kiss Cassandra forever.
I could kiss her until she feels like mine and no one else’s ever again.
“God,” her voice is raspier now, something that makes my stomach tighten. “I’ve kissed boys before. Plenty. Not like this.”
“Thanks for the detailed report on your make-out history.” I kiss the corner of her mouth, snorting lightly.
“You’re supposed to get mad. And super jealous.” She eyes me, unimpressed. “Possessive. Hate everybody who’s ever had me.”
And I do.
I hate them so much.
I wish them nothing but the worst, and she doesn’t even know.
“Do you hate my past girlfriends?”
“Were there that many?”
I try not to laugh. “Ouch?”
“I hate Alex-with-the-red-hair a little, but that’s just because she was, like, your very first,” she admits, playful but honest.
“Mn.”
She adds suddenly, her voice quieter, “I think you might get tired of me if I’m not as fun as she seemed to be.”
“What?” I shake my head, genuinely shocked. “You can’t seriously think that!”
She covers her face with her hands, ears turning a pretty shade of pink.
I lovethis.How candid we are with each other.
How I get to kiss her senseless and listen to her open up right after.
“You know, I’m human too.” I press my forehead to hers. “I get scared sometimes.”
She snorts, “Of what?”
“That you’ll grow bored.” I shrug. “What’s extraordinary now becomes ordinary later.”
Cassandra laughs, loud and real, and the sound goes straight to my heart. “Have you been dabbling in poetry?”
I wish.
She studies me, the faint blush in her cheeks fading, her wild hair curling around her like a fairy halo. Cassandra is the prettiest person I’ve ever seen in a way that’s almost too painful. My chest always hurts if I stare at her for too long.
“I thought you had it all figured out for us.”
“I do,” I answer too quickly.
“But you’re scared of stupid stuff too,” her smile dims slightly. “Not like my brother killing one of us or something.”
She says it lightheartedly, but I know she’s not really joking. Nathaniel is coming back soon. He’ll be breathing down her neck at every twist and turn. I’m not about to back down and let him do whatever he wants.
“Cass, he’s not going to hurt you,” my voice is steady. “I’m serious, baby. I’m not letting him come close.”
Her smile has faded completely now.
