Page 10 of My Best Friend's Brother
This time, he snatched his hand away. “I’m not a kid anymore.”
Got that right. “No, but you still act like one.”
He narrowed his dark eyes at her and took a step forward. “Have we met?”
Keke’s breath caught at the intensity in his gaze. “What?”
Pete flashed an impressive smile. “You must be new here. Welcome to Headley Campground. If you need anything, let me know.”
Keke blinked, still blinded by his megawatt smile. When did he develop that? She finally understood what he was doing. “I am new. I think I got it covered. It’s summer camp. You lead kids around, tell ghost stories around the campfire, eat s’mores, right?”
“I love s’mores. I like it when the marshmallow is burnt. Has that nice, crispy layer to it, and it just oozes out and runs down your chin.” His index finger peaked over the curve of his bottom lip and dragged down his chin.
Keke held up her hand. “Okay, okay. What are you trying to do?” She had to stop the onslaught of heat creeping up her own neck.
Pete shrugged. “What? You said talk to her—”
“Right. Talk to her. Not impregnate her with your words.”
His brows meshed. “I don’t get it.”
Keke stared at him for a moment. Innocence clear as day in his eyes. He had no idea the effect of his presence—when used to his advantage. She started again. “It’s too soon.”
“Too soon for what?”
“To get her hot and bothered over gooey marshmallows that run down your chin,” she said sarcastically. “You’re coming on too strong. Save that for the kissing.”
His Adam’s apple bobbed. “Kissing…”
“Please tell me you’ve at least kissed a girl.”
He looked away.
“Not even once?”
He bit his bottom lip, his eyes apologetic.
Keke’s eyes rounded. “In all of high school?”
“No! Okay?” He slapped her side with a pillow and then tossed it at the head of the bed. “Stop teasing me.”
Keke chortled. “You can’t deny me that, Petey. Thatjustwouldn’t be fair.”
He groaned. Frustration marred his face in the red streaks across his cheeks. “How was I supposed to kiss a girl if I couldn’t even get my name out of my mouth?”
Keke arched a brow. Good point. “Well, for you maybe it’s not that easy. But there is a way.”
He was within inches of her in a flash. “How?” he breathed.
Her body instinctively swayed toward him, and she took a step back. “Swagger. Have you ever seen a guywalk up to a girl, back her against a wall, and kiss her?”
Pete sighed and nodded. “Yup. Taylor Morgan.”
“Who’s Taylor Morgan?”
“Showed up for senior year. The quintessential bad boy complete with a leather jacket he wore all year-round. How did he not sweat in May?”
Keke snorted. Springfield did tend to get a little warm in the spring and summer months. Even September smoked.
