Page 2 of Infatuated

Heat rushes to my cheeks at his remark. “Excuse me.” I jump out of my seat, leaving my untouched spaghetti and belongings behind, and scurry to the girl’s bathroom.

I lean over the sink, splashing cold water on my face. The door opens, and Bethany walks in. She leans against the wall with the paper towels, watching me, her arms crossed over her chest.

I lock eyes with her in the mirror, keeping my hands planted on the edge of the counter. “I wish you hadn’t said that to him. You know I don’t like wearing things like that.”

She shrugs and flips her hair. “I don’t know why. It’s not like you’re fat. You’ve got killer curves. If I had hips like yours, I’d rock it. Joe likes you; it’s pretty obvious.”

My heart gallops at the thought of him liking me, but there’s no way he does. I’m still just a nerdy girl. I shrug it off. “He’s a flirt. He does it to everyone.” I pull a few paper towels out and blot the water from my face before tossing them in the bin next to the door.

She shakes her head. “No. Not like that, Lana. I’ve only seen him do that with you.” She pulls me in for a hug, and when we pull back, she searches my face like it holds the answers she needs. “You really don’t see what he sees, do you?” I shake my head. “Joe really likes you. I think Jim likes you, too, but Joe’s staked claim. Come to the party, wear the sexy bikini you bought last week, and get the guy.”

She walks out, leaving me to get myself under control. Not paying attention, I walk right into Joe’s hard body on the other side of the door. My cheek smashes against his muscular chest, and I put my hands up to steady myself, feeling his pectorals.How does someone in high school get this ripped?

“Sorry. I, ah—wasn’t looking.”

“Come for a walk with me?” He holds my backpack and book out for me and extends his hand out, waiting for me to make my move. I look at it and up at him. “I promise I won’t bite.” He offers a sly smile, and there’s a glint of something dark in his eyes. “Unless you like biting. Then I’d be happy to make your dreams come true.”

Oh hell!Another image to add to the rub club bank. That one will be playing around in my head for a while. I take a deep breath, ignore the growing need forming in my lower belly, and take his hand.

He leads me to the soccer field, where we stand by the bleachers. I risk a sideways glance at him. Most boys look like preppy assholes in the school uniform—navy blue polo and chinos. His polo must be a medium because the way his arms bulge and his pecs are on display makes me want to run my fingers over him. I reach my hand toward him and pull back at the last second.That’s a slippery slope I don’t need to go down.

“Don’t make me beg, Lana. Come to the party this weekend. Let me show you off.”

I pinch my eyebrows and tilt my head to the side. “Show me off? Why? We’re not dating.”

“Maybe it’s because you haven’t taken any of my hints, and I can’t ever get you alone.” He runs his knuckles along my cheek and hooks his thumb and forefinger around my chin. He lowers his voice and drops his head, his lips inches from mine. “Anytime I try, you run away.”

Kiss him! Grow some balls and kiss him, Lana!

“That’s because I didn’t think you were serious,” I almost whisper. “You flirt with all the girls. How was I supposed to know I was special?”

“Because you see the real me. Come. I’ll give you the best birthday present.”

He leans in, his eyes close, and his mouth parts.Oh my God, it’s happening! Joe is going to kiss me!He hovers over my lips, and I press up into him, feeling his soft lips against mine. He deepens the kiss. I moan into his mouth and grab the front of his shirt, holding on to him.I never want this kiss to end.His hand slides down my side and lands on my hip, pulling me flush against him.

Hold on. Is that…him? I pull back, putting a few inches between us, and glance down. Sure enough, I can see the shape of him through his pants, and let me tell you… wow. I may have fantasies of him, but I’m not ready to go down that road. I’m not ready to give him that piece of me.

Sensing my discomfort, he cups my cheeks in his hands but doesn’t move closer. I lift my eyes to his.

“You drive me crazy. Come on Saturday. I promise I’ll behave.”

“Okay.”

* * *

I’m on cloud nine for the rest of the day. Who wouldn’t be after a mind-blowing kiss from the hottest guy at school? When I walk through the front door of my house, my mom and dad are sitting in the living room talking.

“Hi, honey, how was your day?” Mom calls out.

I float into the living room with a Cheshire cat grin on my face. “Wonderful. I got invited to a party at the lake this weekend with Bethany to celebrate my birthday. Can I go?”

“Pumpkin, why don’t you sit down?” Dad taps the seat next to him, and my smile falters.

I drop my bag by my feet and sit. “What’s going on?”

“Your mother and I booked a vacation. We leave on Saturday.” He smiles as though he didn’t just break my heart.

I’m… confused. They booked a vacation? Doesn’t one usually plan a vacation months in advance? “Where are we going?”