Paul grinned, white teeth flashing.
Oh, perfect. Just when I thought this would be the last place I would ever see him.
Lame Deer Montana.
"Hey Suze," He smirked, "Miss me?"
"Hardly," I snapped, getting up. "What the hell are you doing here Paul?"
"What are you?" He replied coolly, ice blue eyes piercing.
"Actually," I said carefully, "I'm on a trip to see my uncle."
"So you didn't follow me here? I was so flattered." He grinned, putting a hand to his heart mockingly.
What CAN you say to that sort of thing?
I rolled my eyes.
"Hey, I like your hair," He said suddenly, reaching forward to catch a lock between his fingers. I'd grown it out over the summer months, and today it was swept to one side, the ends curling loosely without the aid of my beloved straightener (which I'd stupidly forgotten to pack).
"Um, thanks." I looked away quickly.
He sighed, dropping my hair.
I sighed in obvious relief.
"How's Rico Suave?" He asked politely, a harsh edge beneath his tone, "Still as breathless over you?"
We both knew the double meaning.
I glared at him. "We're fine, thank you."
"Just asking," He said, still politely disinterested. He turned his face away from me, reaching up his hands to run through his hair.
"Yeah, well, I have to go." I shrugged, pulling my new Coach bag on to my shoulder. I'd found it in TJ Max, half off- and so cute even Jesse complimented it. Jesse…
"Wait," He said, reaching out to catch my arm, he grinned wickedly. "Don't you want to know why I'm here?"
What was it with grabbing my arm? I tried to shrug out of his grasp, but he didn't even seem to notice.
Key word: Seem.
I sigh- I'm just trying to make myself feel better.
So, fine. OK, he didn't bat an eyelid.
"Not really," I replied, glancing down at his grip on my arm. "I swear you have spacial issues."
"Maybe," He looked down at me, and I suddenly realized how very CLOSE he was. What was it with this guy? He was making the blood in my veins run cold- but in which sense he was constantly reassuring me was confused. Was I afraid of him? Or attracted?
Or…a strange combination of both?
I seriously needed to fly to Antartica to get away from him.
Oh humor me- I'd probably have to go to the moon.
"It's been a long summer, Suze," He whispered. "And," He hesitated, cocking his head at me, "Rico Suave doesn't have to know."
I glanced away, unsure of whether to slap him or just lash with words.
He tilted my face up to his with one of his fingers, oddly gentle.
"Suze," His eyes burned with that one emotion I could never get down.
Passionate? Troubled? Concerned? Longing? Or…love?
His lips met mine before I could even get the thoughts flowing in the correct pattern in my head. Oh no- my thoughts were all messed up. They weren't centering around escaping him. They were centering around the way his eyes were so bright they almost glowed, and his flawless tan, deepened to an even darker shade with the summer, and his glossy black curls, which just brushed my cheek.
And when his lips met mine,
I lost whatever it was that was scared. That was upset.
I kissed him back.