One word: review!

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Needless to say, I froze like a little rabbit in the glare of headlights. Or rather, under the almost-not-quite glare John was giving me. A challenge.

To see him again...speak to him...be close enough to touch him. It was too much, you know? I guess I should've expected it. I'd been obsessing over him for damn near two days, how else was I supposed to react?

"I said, looking for a ride, Claire?"

His voice was softer this time, and he came closer. God, I was about to have a heart attack...and I think I was ready to pass out from fear and tension and, and desire...

Fuck.

I think he saw my hands shaking, because he suddenly took away the textbooks I'd been clutching and set them down. And then he took my hands into his own, holding them as gently as a baby.

I looked up. I had to, after what he was doing to me. I looked up into his face, his eyes...and seeing the soft, hungry, tender look in those eyes, something twisted. Hard, and low in my gut.

I guess I never expected John to feel the same way about me. I mean, he was the one who kissed me, for crying out loud, but his tough guy image was such a big part of him, you know? How could John Bender, the criminal, have feelings for anybody? He already had all those girls in his wallet, the ones he was considering, so why would he even condescend to speak to the queen bitch of the school?

I sure as hell don't know. Except here I am, staring up into John's eyes and feeling a goofy grin spreading across my face, and I don't care about the reasons anymore. It's enough to know he cares...he cares!

I smile, and a slow smirk answers me in return.

"Yes, John."