Page 19 of One Killer Night

So I raise my brows, waiting for him, and repeat my answer, quieter this time.

The sides of our mouths both pull as he nods, not at all answering the question. “Yeah, Team Edward for sure.”

“No,” I laugh, touching his chest with my free hand. “I was asking what time of day you love, not about the movie.”

“Can I kiss you now?”

My heart stops as he lets go of my hand. But I don’t get to speak because he’s already bending down as I nod.

Our lips fuse together in the middle of the cobblestone street, like a sigh of relief halting any thoughts, blurring out the world into frayed edges as the first touch of his mouth lingers, then melts deeper into the kind of kiss where I can’t tell whose breath is whose.

It’s romantic, not crude. He’s purposeful, not aggressive. It’s perfect.

Noah takes his time, teasing his tongue against mine before drawing back, letting the slickness of our lips slowly glide over each other’s. He’s not just kissing me with his mouth, either, but with his fingertips peppering along my jaw before he cradles it.

My body arches flush against his, my hand tangling, balled up in his shirt. I’m holding on for dear life because I’d said “unforgettable.” And if the measure is whether or not I remember my name, well, I don’t. So, he’s lived up.

He pulls away, his warm breath still igniting my lips as he stays close enough to kiss me again.

“That was my best shot. But I’ll keep trying if it didn’t make the cut.”

“Maybe once more for good meas—” I whisper back.

He cuts me off as he dives back in, leaving me even more breathless than before. My head’s spinning as he whispers, “Better?”

I nod, almost unable to speak. “Yeah. You should take your jacket back. I feel sweaty.”

He grins before pulling away-away, forcing me to unhand his shirt and open my eyes. Good god, my legs feel weak.

“Fuck,” he draws out, swallowing hard enough that his Adam’s apple bobs as he takes another step back. “Can I see you tomorrow?”

I look down at my watch, scraping my teeth over my bottom lip over and over. “Tomorrow is almost today. So, I guess you tell me.”

“Cool,” he says on an exhale and a pregnant pause before blurting out, “Wanna hang out with me for another sixish hours and watch my favorite time of day?”

Sunrise. His favorite time is sunrise.

“Yeah, I don’t really have any plans until Wednesday, sooo ...”

It’s Saturday.

Noah takes my hand again, and somehow, we turn away from each other to meander back down the street, the silliest of grins plastered on our faces.

“Most interesting girl I’ve ever met,” he says under his breath before sipping his cider.

I nod. “Yeah, it’s definitely been one killer night ... Now, let’s go find something to set on fire so I can watch you juggle.”

His laughter fills the sky as he drapes an arm over my shoulder and pulls me in close.

Cedarwood and vanilla. Delicious.

I take it back. I think Halloween is starting to grow on me.

Chapter Four

Camp Weonoke—years prior

“Hey, you’re the new girl, right?”