Page 83 of Conflict
He cocks an eyebrow. “Why not? I’d like to think of it as a good omen.”
Before I can protest, I hear a squeal. We both look up and see his aunt Amelia looking from us to the cell phone in her hands. She’s furiously typing on her phone.
Shane groans. Then he takes my hand and starts to lead me from the kitchen.
“Shane Wellington, get your behind back here! Your mother wants me to take a picture.”
“Ma, leave them alone,” Knox tells her, to which she huffs.
Once we’re out of both view and earshot, Shane presses me up against a wall, covering my body with his. He places one hand on my face, using his thumb to tilt my chin up. My heart hammers in my chest as warm, blue eyes gaze into mine. I’m willing him to kiss me, and I’m amazed at how nerve-racking it feels to experience this “will he, won’t he” moment. It makes me crave him all the more, and I have a feeling that’s exactly what he’s going for.
“Shane,” I whisper. “Kiss me. Please.”
His fingers caress my skin, leaving a trail of heat. “I want to. God, I want to,” he replies, his eyes closing for a brief moment then reopening to catch the plea in mine. “But I’m not going to.”
I rise onto my tiptoes, planning to do the work for him. But he stops me with a finger to my lips.
“Friday night. After our date, and not a moment sooner.”
I can’t help the pout that spreads across my lips. “But that’s too far away. I can’t wait that long.”
Shane gives me a sexy wink. Then his lips find my ear, his warm breath tickling my skin. “You can, and you will. Think of all the anticipation that’ll build up between now and then. I’ll be on your mind every second of every day until we’re together again.”
He pulls back, and I raise an eyebrow at the confidence in his expression.
“You think so, huh?” I ask, even though he’s absolutely right.
“Sunshine, I know so.”
“And how’s that?”
Shane’s arms slide around mine as he pulls me into a warm embrace. “Because, Alyssa, I’ll be doing the same.”
And there go the butterflies again.
