In a blink, she turned in my embrace, facing me, our chests flush. Fingers on my neck, she jerked my head down, this time crushing her lips on mine. I folded my arms around her hips, hefting her to my level, holding her against me as I let her take what she wanted, and gave everything back.

Chapter Nineteen

Chapter Nineteen

Amber

Fireworks.

White-hot heat and smooth-as-honey comfort.

The boy’s lips were a crazy electric battle of hard and soft, hungry and selfless.

His kiss tasted unique to him—warmth and spearmint and energy and everything that had me craving more.

Whenever Brandon had kissed me, I wasn’t this active of a participant, wasn’t this…starved. I hated that my mind went there, that it compared the two, but it did. And there was no denying this was different.

Epic.

Intoxicating.

Fun.

Safe.

The stark realization jolted me out of the kiss. My feet hung off the floor as Dean held me pinned to him—his grip strong but gentle—and in that moment, I knew this was right. He had me trapped in his embrace, so much stronger than me, and yet, I felt no need to break his grasp. No fear of not being let go if I asked.

All the nerves and anticipation I’d had leading up to this trip…it vanished. Evaporated in the swell of heat that swept beneath my skin.

“Pixie,” Dean said, his breath sweet on my lips. He trailed the tip of his nose over mine, pressing his forehead to mine as he slowly lowered me back to the floor.

I grinned up at him, staying tucked underneath his arm, basking in the levity of trust, respect, and excitement.

Funny, I would’ve never known how important those things were if not for…

I tensed, the memories hitting me hard and fast. Dean sensed the shift, the crease between his brows deep as he glanced down at me. He motioned toward the back of the audience, where I knew the exit was.

I nodded, more than happy to beat the crowd before the concert ended.

“You okay?” he asked me in the cab, our fingers laced together.

“Yeah,” I said, lost in my thoughts as we rode back to the hotel.

I wanted more from Dean. Could feel it churning in my core.

That was huge.

But how could I truly be with him if he didn’t know the truth?

Would he think less of me if he knew? Would he put distance between us? Regret the kiss we just shared?

What if he takes Brandon’s side?

I shook my head, trying to force the thoughts from my brain as we rode the elevator up to our room.

Our room.

Sure, there were two beds.

Yes, I’d assured Mom we’d each be sleeping in one. But after everything…after that kiss? I sure as hell didn’t want to.