Page 18 of Dream (Fighting Fate)

I laughed, my shoulders relaxing instantly. “I’m not sure about that. You seem to have a lot more trees around your house. Can you even see the ocean from your room?”

The teasing smile was still on his lips. “You’ll just have to come and judge for yourself.”

For some reason, I suddenly found it hard to breathe as he gazed at me. His eyes were such an amazing hazel color, framed by thick, dark lashes that gave him a mysterious kind of aura. He had high, defined cheekbones, and a strong set jaw that made me want to just reach out and touch him. It wasn’t good.

But then his gaze was gone, looking out to the ocean, and he was casually taking a sip of his drink. Drawing in a long, slow breath, I tried to calm myself down for the hundredth time since inviting him in, but even I knew it was pointless.

“So, where are these fabulous photos?” he asked, breaking into my weirded-out state.

“I wouldn’t exactly say they’re fabulous. They’re just normal pictures,” I admonished. Reaching inside the door, I grabbed a handful of photos and started flicking through them, trying to find the basics to show him. “This is probably the best picture to show what the town looked like. See how most of their houses are just made from scrap pieces of iron and stuff?” I watched him look over the picture, his eyes narrowing as he scanned it completely.

I passed him another picture. “This was where we lived. It looks pretty crappy, but it was much nicer than anything anyone else had. I always felt a little guilty about that.” I didn’t want to bore him too much, so I passed him the pictures quicker than normal. “And this is the recreation center we built. All those kids were my friends,” I said, indicating the group of kids standing in front of the building.

I showed him a few more shots of my parents, me with some of my friends, the school, and the locals working. He looked at me seriously after a while. “I’m sorry, but I have to ask. You were there since you were thirteen?” I nodded. “And you only just got back recently?”

“Monday,” I said in confirmation.

He looked at me skeptically. “Did you date?”

I finally realized where his line of questioning was heading. I laughed, only a little embarrassment washing through me. As much as I felt out of my comfort zone with the whole flirting thing, there wasn’t much I could do about my lack of experience, so I sure as hell wasn’t going to pretend otherwise. “Does kissing a diplomat’s son, twice, constitute a date?”

His expression was laughable. “Ah . . . no. No, it doesn’t,” he said sternly.

He stared at me as I continued to giggle at him. I really wished I knew what he was thinking. I couldn’t make out his expression. It was such a mixture of emotions. “I know, it’s sad. I’m an adult who’s ne

ver been on a date. Do you think there’s a place for that in the guineas book of records? Maybe I could apply . . .”

He shook his head at me, but his smile was kind. “You’re definitely unique.”

I sighed. Unique—that was one word for it. So was weird. Even if Aunt Jenny was right—which she wasn’t—and boys did chase me, as soon as they realized how weird I was with the whole dating thing, they were sure to run away from me instead. It was hopeless. I was never going to find anyone who would want to take me on a date.

Music started playing from Josh’s pocket, and he swiftly pulled out his phone. He silenced it quickly, but not before I saw a picture of a beautiful girl flashing on the screen.

He inhaled deeply. “I didn’t realize how late it was. I have to go.”

I nodded. Of course he did. He was just realizing how weird I was, and that was probably his girlfriend trying to call him. I tried to hide my disappointment. Why the hell didn’t I think about the fact that he probably already had a girlfriend? “Oh, okay.”

Shoving the pictures back onto the table, I grabbed my glass and walked him back downstairs, to the side door, so it’d be easier for him to get to the trail. He paused in the open doorway beside me, his expression suddenly intense. “Thanks for letting me gate crash your walk, Liv. I had a good time.”

My stupid breath was getting stuck in my chest again. There was something about the way he called me ‘Liv.’ I forced myself to exhale. “Me too,” was all I could manage.

He was quiet for a little while longer as he appeared to contemplate something. His voice was quieter when he spoke again. “Do you want to do it again tomorrow?”

I had to stop myself from blurting out a loud ‘yes!’ Biting my lip until I could control myself a little better, I smiled. “That’d be nice. What time?”

“How’s nine? Not too early?”

I smiled. I’d get up at dawn if he’d suggested it. “Nine’s perfect.”

Chapter 14

Josh

I was so screwed.

Those damn lips were almost irresistible. The way she would bite down on them when she was embarrassed, bringing the blood rushing to them, making them even fuller than they already were . . .

And those shorts. I knew I was going to go to hell with the thoughts that ran through my head when she reached up into that cupboard. They hugged her ass perfectly, showing off the taunting curves of her hips, molding the soft roundness of her cheeks where they joined her long, shapely legs.

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