Page 56 of The Weight Of Falling
Joel’s shoulders loosen a little at my teasing. “Or they could be trying to get rid me. Frank could cut my brake line and Ross could have added poisonous berries to his trail mix.”
I grin. “Only one way to find out.”
A group of teenagers whiz past us on their skateboards, loud and noisy, their wheels clattering over the sidewalk. Joel moves fast, pulling me out of their path. I glance up at him. Which is a mistake. There’s a hunger in his eyes so fierce it steals the breath from my lungs.
He holds absolutely still, then he swallows and shifts his gaze over my shoulder. His body stiffens. “Why is that woman staring at us and frowning?”
Alarm scrambles up my throat. “Is she wearing a bright pink sweatsuit and holding a sandwich?”
“Yup.”
I sigh. “Trish Snel. Self-appointed town matriarch.”
“Why won’t she stop staring?” he asks in a low voice. “What’s going on?”
“We’re not selling it,” I murmur. “The fake engagement. I think she’s waiting for a kiss, or...I don’t know...something to show we’re madly in love.”
“Now she’s talking to someone and pointing at us,” he mutters. “What is it with this town?”
I worry my bottom lip. “Maybe it’s time to come clean.”
“It’s too soon.” His eyes take on a sudden gleam. “If she wants a show, I’ll give her a show.”
He takes my coffee and pastry bag from my hands and sets them on a nearby bench. Then he wraps his arm around my waist and pulls me flush against him.
My hands land on his chest and my breathing quickens. “What are you doing?”
“Giving them what they want.” He dips his head. “But on my terms.”
Nervous anticipation curls in my stomach.
“Joel...”
“Yes, Kenzie...”
His hand captures mine, and his thumb lightly traces the inside of my wrist. My skin is on fire.
“Have I told you how beautiful you look today?” he murmurs.
My breath catches. “I don’t believe you have.”
The hand that’s low on my back travels up my spine and his fingers slide into my hair. His eyes lock on mine. “You know what gets me about you? The way your eyes hold all that blue. It’s like staring into the sky just before a storm. Beautiful and a little dangerous.”
My toes curl in my shoes. No one’s ever called medangerousbefore. I kind of like it.
His hand tightens in my hair and he gives it a little tug. I melt against him, my blood thick and sluggish in my veins. “Your hair drives me insane. The way it catches the light and falls downyour back.” A flicker of something raw and intense flashes in his eyes. “You don’t want to know the things I’m thinking.”
Goosebumps break out across my arms.
Oh, I want to know.
And I want him to kiss me again more than I’ve ever wanted anything in my life.
“You need to stop looking at me like that,” he says in a rough voice.
“Like what?” I ask breathlessly, pretending innocence. I know exactly what he means, and I like playing with him like this.
“Just remember,” he whispers, “I know what your mouth tastes like. I know how you feel in my arms. I’ve heard the sounds you make when you let yourself go.”
