Page 62 of Reckless Liar

I looked back at him, confused. Then I saw him reach down and adjust himself in his pants. I clapped my hand over my mouth and giggled before scrambling out of the room.

Back at the party, I tried to keep my distance from Xander. I did impulsive things when I was too close to him. I couldn’t risk having all the guests see me mauling him. Counting the time until the New Year’s, I made painful small talk with my parent’s friends, relaying the same tired information.

Yes, these canapes are delicious.

No, I don’t see my brother very often these days.

Yes, I still live in town.

I’m proud of my brother, yes.

Ridgewood General, in the emergency room.

My soon to be sister-in-law is lovely, for sure.

No, you heard wrong. I’m a nurse not a doctor… no I don’t know why you’d think that either.

Yes, my brother will be very successful.

No, I don’t know what’s in the peanut sauce.

I got lucky the guests never asked me about my dating life. I knew if I was forced into giving a straight answer, I wouldn’t be able to honestly say there was no one in my life. I couldn’t define what Xander and I were, but it was definitely something.

At one minute to midnight, I locked eyes with Xander across the room. He stared at me, a small smile on his lips. He didn’t move toward me, respecting my wish to keep us a secret. Thirty seconds left on the television. I watched as people began to drift closer to their significant others, preparing for the big kiss. Though I knew I might regret it, I stepped toward Xander, clutching my champagne glass tight in my hand and stopped in front of him.

He took a step closer to me, took my glass out of my hand and set it down on the side table. Around us everyone was shouting the countdown. They must be loud, but locked into his gaze, the cacophony fell away. Fireworks erupted from the top of the Space Needle to the sounds of the local indie station but all I could sense was him.

As he leaned toward me, I decided I wouldn’t turn away. I wanted to kiss him. I wanted to feel him against me, and I didn’t care who saw us. In that moment, as the new year began, I wanted nothing more than to have his lips against mine. I closed my eyes, and everyone cheered around us. His kiss was featherlight, enough to look innocent but sent waves of heat through me, nevertheless. His face skimmed against mine, his lips moving across my cheek to rest on my ear.

“Happy New Year, Liliana.”

I gripped his elbows as he leaned into me. The way we were standing no one could see his face, which was lucky, because he gently nipped at my ear lobe with his teeth, sending a shockwave through me. My knees weakened. He pulled away enough to press a quick kiss to my cheek. I saw the fire in his eyes, and my cheek burned from his touch, the place he held my arm seared under his embrace. I stared up at him, not able to keep the stupid smile off my face.

“Happy New Year,” I whispered back.

He raised a hand and slowly brushed aside a lock of hair that’d fallen out of its twist. I brought my hand to rest on top of his, never breaking eye contact.

“Hey, guys.” Matt Hansen interrupted us. We both jumped back, our hands dropping between us. He grinned. “Nice party, right? I used to hate when my mom insisted I go to these things. But now that I’m older, it’s like I don’t have anything better to do.”

“Right, nice party.” Xander answered.

Matt glanced between us, a smirk on his face. “So, are you two, like, doing it or something?”

I opened my mouth shocked at his crudeness. I shouldn’t be all that surprised to hear him talk like that. Before I could respond, Xander cleared his throat, sparing me a small glance. “Nah, we’re just friends man. No big thing.”

“Uh-huh.” Matt chuckled as he took a swig of his beer. “If you say so.” He looked around the party. “You guys want to head to the Skol House? I’m sure they’ll still serve us if we hurry.”

I grimaced. “Not really. I’m not in the mood for the bar scene tonight.” I looked at Xander. “I can crash here if you want to go, though. I don’t need a ride.”

He shook his head at me. “No, I’m good. I’m done with the Skol House too. I just can’t hang anymore, I guess.”

Matt drained the last of his beer and set it down next to my champagne glass. “Well, you change your mind, you know where to find half our graduating class.” He laughed loudly, clapping Xander on the back. “See you guys.”

I turned back to Xander. “Are you sure? It might be fun for you.”

He shook his head, laughing, “No way would that’d be fun.” He leaned closer to me, his lips against my ear again. “Speaking of fun though, we should get out of here.”

Pulling away I smiled up at him. “I’d like that.” I glanced around the party where everyone was still having a good time. “I’ll grab my stuff quick, meet you at the door?”

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