Page 48 of Keepsake
“Maybe next year.” Kyle chuckled. “If she doesn’t have her way with Zach first. Now it’s time to stand back and watch the show.”
I looked up at Zach’s red-faced scowl. And then I swung my gaze back to the girls, who were indeed glassy-eyed and wobbly. “Damn, did they drive here like that?” I wondered aloud.
“Nah. One of them lives a quarter mile up the road,” Kieran said. “They get bombed at home and then walk here. Griffin had to escort them back home once last spring. After he peeled one off Zach.”
“Now you’ve been spotted!” Kyle snickered. “The approach is my favorite part.”
“Why me,” Zach muttered into his beer.
“Because you give off that nice-guy vibe,” Kyle said cheerfully. “You’re approachable. Like a friendly puppy.”
Zach was giving off an embarrassed vibe, if any. “You want me to scare her off?” I volunteered.
“How?”
“How?” I scoffed, stepping in front of him. “Put your arms around me.”
“Plot twist!” Kyle said gleefully. “This is going to be good.”
“Hurry.” I took his beer out of his hand and set it on the table. Then I reached up and put my arms around Zach’s neck. But he only stood there, wooden. “You are a terrible actor,” I hissed, nudging his arm with my elbow. “Play along.”
Slowly, his arms closed behind me, coming to rest on my waist. I stood up on tiptoe and slowly dragged my nose against his. “How am I doing?” I stage-whispered.
Kieran answered, “The heat-seeking missile is still locked on the target. ETA, five seconds. Watch your six, Lark.”
That made me smile.
“Hi, Zach!” a high, wavering voice called out. “Do I get a hug, too?”
Seriously?I turned my chin in the girl’s direction. “He’s busy,” I snapped. I heard Kyle and Kieran snort with amusement. But the girl did not walk away. This poor chickie could not take a hint.
Desperate measures were called for.
I took Zach’s handsome face into both my hands, and tugged him downward until his smooth lips brushed mine. Zach’s body went absolutely still.
In for a penny, in for a pound.
Hesitating only for a second, I leaned in. Tilting my head to get the angle just right, I softly joined our mouths. He made a soft, bitten-off sound, and I felt it in the center of my chest.
His arms slowly tightened around me as our lips came together. And that’s when my body forgot that this kiss was supposed to be a diversion. Zach’s mouth firmed to mine, and I felt my knees go a little squishy. God, he was just so freaking hot, and it had been a long time since anyone kissed me.
Seriously, I should buy the tipsy little jailbait a present for handing me this opportunity to lay a good one on Zach.
He leaned into the kiss, and the moment stretched and shimmered so unexpectedly. The urge to taste him was strong, but I wasn’t going there. With great reluctance, I slid my lips to the corner of his mouth and teased him with butterfly kisses instead.
“Coast is clear!” Kyle chuckled.
At that, Zach released me, moving backward as quickly as if he’d been tagged with a Taser. I was left with cool air and unexpected disappointment. It sure was good while it lasted. Zach stood there looking startled. He put his fingertips up to his lips, and then quickly dropped them.
I turned around and scanned the bar. Zach’s tipsy pursuer was in the opposite corner now, choosing a new mark. “Mission accomplished?” I asked.
“Looks like it,” Kyle said, flicking me gently on the head. “You know what? I think I see someone coming to bug me, too. Can you take care of it, Lark?” He held out his hands to me.
I opened my mouth to tease Kyle, but then lost my train of thought, because Zach was giving him a death glare. Zach, who was ornery to no one, was looking at Kyle as if he’d like to kill him.
Weird.
“Well, Kyle,” I said. “If a girl comes over to attack you, I’m going with a different strategy this time.”
