Page 34 of Rough Start

As the music finally turned to something slower, Kye knew he couldn’t keep his hands from her any longer and was quick to her side. “Excuse us,” he said politely to Natalie as he wrapped a strong arm around Eliana’s waist and pulled her against him. Natalie was smiling and giving Eliana two thumbs up as she walked away.

“Hi,” Eliana said breathlessly as she laced her fingers together behind Kye’s neck. He raised both eyebrows as he looked down at her, and her deep breaths caused her chest to rub against his.

“Hi,” he responded and led her confidently in their first dance together. The soft jazzy music and the dim lighting created the perfect romantic moment, and when she gingerly rested her head on his shoulder, Kye couldn’t think of anywhere else he’d rather be. The intoxicating scent of honey filled him to capacity, and he couldn’t help the way his grip tightened around her. He only realized how tightly he was holding her when she gasped. “Sorry,” he quickly apologized, and she pulled away enough to smile at him.

“I don’t mind,” she admitted, and the look she gave him through her long lashes made his pulse rise. He ran a hand through her soft hair before taking her by the back of the head and kissing her. A teacher walked past and cleared their throat loudly, and Eliana laughed when they were forced to part. “Killjoy,” Eliana whispered to Kye as their history teacher sauntered away.

The music faded and before the next song began, the principal took the stage. “It’s time to announce this year’s senior class prom king and queen!” she called, and all eyes turned.

“Think I’ll win?” Kye asked sarcastically, and Eliana laughed loudly. She took one of his hands in both of hers and pulled him off the dance floor. “Where are we going?” he asked, bemused when she didn’t stop at their table, but instead continued out of the side entrance to the gym that led to the courtyard.

“I don’t want to listen to Missy’s ‘you really like me’ speech,” Eliana said, casting a look over her shoulder that reminded Kye intensely of the half-lidded, sultry way she’d looked at him the night he’d slept in her room. He felt his mouth go dry when she stopped under a tree and leaned against the trunk. “Come here,” she beckoned as she reached a hand for him. He diligently obeyed and took her by the waist.

“Have I told you how beautiful you are?” he asked as his fingers found their way to the bare skin of her back. The plunging cut made his head spin as he traced the indent of her spine.

“I don’t mind hearing it,” she confessed and savored the way he made her shiver and burn at the same time.

“Are you cold?” he asked as she pulled him closer by the collar of his shirt. Her curls danced over her shoulder as she shook her head. Her breath tickled his face as he ducked his head to kiss her. Part of him felt a great sense of pride at the moan she emitted, and another part of him felt personally challenged to see exactly how many of those heart-thumping moans he could elicit from her.

Eliana’s fingernails were raking over the back of his neck, his hot mouth moving hungrily over hers. She pressed her hips so forcibly against his that Kye had to recover his balance by lifting her onto the edge of the brick wall. Without shame, her legs opened, and he occupied the space between them. The fabric of his slacks felt smooth on her bare inner thigh as she drew her knee along his outer leg.

Her teeth grazed his bottom lip, and she hesitantly nipped at it. When Kye inhaled sharply, she took the encouragement and pulled his lip deeper into her mouth. The feel of her tongue caused such a strong reaction in him that Kye felt every ounce of resolve melting away. He was hard, and she was eager.

“I want you,” she breathed against his mouth when his hands took her thighs, and his thumbs were dangerously close to her heat. Kye kissed her passionately, but when she leaned against him he pulled back.

“Eli,” he said and swallowed the lump in his throat. He was about to speak again when she cut him off.

“I’m visiting my new apartment in Cambridge this weekend,” she said quickly. “I’ve got the moving truck nearly packed. I was going to leave in the morning, but… I want you to come with me.

“All weekend?” he asked with a raised eyebrow. She was biting her lip again, but this time it was clearly out of nerves. Kye slowly reached into his front pocket and removed a rectangular key card. Eliana stared at it blankly for a moment before he handed it to her. On the opposite side, she saw the hotel logo printed on it. Her eyes darted up to his. “We don’t have to use this…”

“I want to,” she said, taking his hand and pulling him down for another kiss. “I want to more than anything.” She was smiling from ear to ear, and the euphoria of anticipation between them only grew. “I thought maybe you didn’t want me that way…”

“Christ, are you joking?” he asked with a laugh. “I want you every way imaginable,” he admitted, and Eliana felt heat rush to her face. “I wanted it to be special, though. For both of us.”

“I don’t think it’s going to get more special than tonight,” she agreed. “Everything has been perfect. You’re perfect.”

“I’m not perfect,” Kye said, shaking his head and taking her face in his hands. “But I am entirely in love with you.” He kissed her forehead, and she smiled. Holding up the keycard she met his eyes.

“Then… what are we waiting for?”

“Yo-you want to go? Right now?”

“Right. Now,” she confirmed by enunciating every word. Kye kissed her quickly before grabbing her hand and leading her toward the gymnasium to grab their coats and his keys. Eliana couldn’t help the giggle as they practically ran.

“Miss Granville!” The two stopped in their tracks just shy of the door as the teacher who had interrupted their kiss on the dance floor was hurrying toward them. Preparing for the impending lecture, both Kye and Eliana groaned.

“Yes, Mrs. Watson?”

“You need to come with me,” the tall woman said with an exasperated look. “It’s your father.”

“My father? What about him?”

“He’s here.”

The two-lane road that led out of Pine Hill cut through the woods bordering Maine and New Hampshire. The night was in full swing, and the dark clouds overhead obscured any light that the moon or stars could offer. When the front tires of the moving truck rolled over the yellow speed bump indicating they’d just exited town, Eliana let the tears flow. The salty drops mixed with her liquid eyeliner causing it to run and sting her eyes painfully. No longer caring how she looked, she used the back of her hand to wipe them free so as not to crash while she drove.

It was a tempting thought, though. To crash. To drive right off the edge of the bridge and into oblivion. However, as fate would have it, there was barely a twenty-foot drop to the shallow river, and she doubted the height was enough to do anything more than warrant a tow truck and Band-Aids. Gripping the wheel tighter, she steeled her gaze and focused on the road ahead.