He shifted beneath her, and Lia sat up. She cupped his face, turning him to face her. Stars filled his dark eyes.
“You know I’ve liked you since seventh grade, right?” she asked.
“What?” His fingers pressed into her hip. “No. Really?”
Lia nodded. She could feel the stars in him, the promise of a future and life. It was heat and tenderness, the way his hand seared without hurting, and he tilted his head to the side. The moonlight struck his skin and glittered like frost on autumn leaves. He had joined to be close to her. He had wanted to be close to her.
And she wanted to live.
Lia leaned in till her mouth was an inch from his. His lips brushed Lia’s, but he didn’t move closer. She laced her fingers around the back of his neck and pulled his mouth to hers. His breath caught and his fingers tightened. The kiss carried on until the thundering of their hearts became footsteps heading their way.
“So,” he said, and pulled away. His hand stroked her spine through her shirt. “Strategically, we’re doing great.”
“Well, your plan succeeded,” she said, a coil of thrill tightening in her belly. His plan had been to get closer to her! Her! He didn’t want to kill her after all. Well, maybe he did, but gently. “Mine is still in the works.”
“You’ll win.” He laced his fingers with hers and helped her up. “I believe in you.”
And as much as she loved the words, they hurt. She couldn’t remember the last time someone had.
They left Ben’s at 11:30, and Gem dropped Lia off at her house. Devon hadn’t kissed her goodbye, not in Gem’s car, but he hadn’t let go of her hand until she had opened the car door. They hadn’t talked much more in the alcove, but they had kissed there. A lot.
That seemed much better than talking.
The last two hours at Ben’s had been spent playing games, and now, back at home, Lia’s mind was racing as quickly as her heart.
She’d made out with Devon! He had said he liked her! He had joined the game to spend time with her!
Lia pressed her back to the front door, slid down it, and buried her face in her knees. His hands were as lovely as she’d always imagined. She couldn’t let the game end now that they finally had something to do together.
“Lia?” her mom’s voice called from the dark.
“Yes?”
“Just making sure it’s you,” her mom said. “How’d it go?”
“Great!” Lia said, and she was sure her voice broke. “I’m going to sleep and then Ben’s picking us up in the morning for more game stuff.”
Her mom sighed, still half in the dark. “Okay, get plenty of rest.”
“I will.”
Lia’s phone vibrated, and she pulled it out. The light blinded her.
All my assassinsssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss home alive?