Page 51 of Infatuated
She takes a step back and watches me. Her hazel eyes staring into the depths of my soul. I’m trying to put all my thoughts and feelings about her on the line. Let her see I’m open to whatever she’s willing to give to me.
“We’re ready to hike back. It’s getting hot up here, and I wouldn’t mind a dip in the pond,” Mrs. Carrington states.
Lana looks away from me, her bottom lip worrying between her teeth.What’s going on in that pretty little head of yours, Lana?
“Please, talk to me, Lana.” My words come out as a plea.
She looks back at me and takes another step away. “I need some time to think.”
Russ cozies up next to her, and she takes off, leading us down the trail. I catch up to her and Russ, and he’s telling her all about his schooling and how he’s the best of his football team.Sure you are, buddy.She watches the ground in front of her with heavy concentration. When my fingers brush against hers, she pulls her hand away.
Shit! I fucked that whole thing up, didn’t I? I need to talk to her privately. Let her know, whatever her decision, I’ll be fine with it. It may kill me, but I’ll figure out how to move past it—eventually.
The hike down takes us about an hour, and the Carringtons ask questions about the wildlife and the town the entire way. Reina sidles up next to me and starts asking about some of my favorite things to do here. Why is it always the young ones that want to flirt with me?
“Reina, stop flirting. He’s too old for you,” Russ chastises his sister.
She turns bright red and glares at him. “I-I wasn’t flirting with him. I was just asking questions. I could say the same about you and Lana. Stop flirting with her. She’s clearly not interested in you, brother.”
Lana looks to the ground and smirks, enjoying the fight between brother and sister. Eventually, Mr. Carrington breaks up the bickering, but not before Russ lets Lana know I said we were just friends. She snaps her head up and looks deep into my eyes. She’s hurt. Her brows pinching together and her lips turn down. I need to explain it to her, but now isn’t the time.
We get back to the house, and Dad is outside with Mr. Robinson having a discussion of sorts. They look over at us when we all come into view, and Lana walks over, giving him a kiss on his cheek. He asks her about the hike, and she tells him it was good, but she wants to relax for a bit. I offer to walk with her since I want to check in on Holden.
We fall in step with one another, the silence thick between us.
“I meant what I said. I want more with you, Lana. I know it’ll be difficult, but it’s not impossible. I told him we’re only friends so he didn’t tip off my dad. I don’t want either of us to end up in trouble.”
She crosses her arms and keeps her distance, her silence deafening.
“Please, say something,” I beg, my voice barely above a whisper. I’m falling too hard, too fast for this girl. The one who makes me believe so much more is possible, who understands and doesn’t judge me. I know I shouldn’t have sprung this on her, but she needs to understand that Ineedmore.
I’m only eighteen, but I’ve always known what I want in life. Mom has always told me I have an old soul. Well, right now, my old soul is clinging to hers. Begging her to understand how I feel—what I need.
“It’s not fair.” I glance at her as she wipes tears from her cheeks. “It’s not fair I can’t keep you, Tristan. Mom and Dad would never allow me to come to school out here.”
Taking her hand in mine, I pull her in the direction of the barn, and Holden is there when we arrive. I give him a look, letting him know to get lost, and he leaves, winking in my direction before he goes. I back her against the door and cage her in.
“Lana, everything’s happening so fast. I feel like a whole different guy when I’m with you, and I like that. You make me feel excited and like I can do anything I want.”
“I don’t know what to do, Tristan. I’m only eighteen. I still have another year of school left before I go to college. It’s not like I can fly out here whenever I want.”
“What doyouwant, Lana? Do you want me?”
She swallows hard and nods her head, the tears staining her cheeks. “Yes, Tristan. No one else I’ve met compares to you.”
I smile a cocky grin. “Even better than that asshole who forgot about you when you left?”
She rolls her eyes and laughs. “Yes, even better than Joe.” Then she mutters so quietly, I almost don’t hear it. “Not sure what I saw in him anyway.”
I let my body take over. I’m so sick of thinking and overanalyzing everything. My lips graze hers, and when she gasps, I seal my lips over hers and explore her familiar mouth with my tongue. When she nips my bottom lip, it sends a shot straight to my dick. I rut into her, my growing length rubbing against her stomach.
She hooks her right leg over my hip, and I grab it, holding her against me as I kiss her harder and deeper. Someone bangs on the side of the barn, and we jump apart. It’s what we needed to cool down; otherwise, I’m sure I would have done what Holden and Molly did.
Lana’s chest is heaving with her deep breaths. Her normally bright eyes are dark green, and her dark pink lips are swollen from our kissing.
“I gotta go.” She darts out of the barn, and when I step out into the sun to stop her, she’s almost out of sight.
Great. That’s not how I wanted our talk to end.