It’s like he knew what I was thinking.
I’d almost forgotten he was holding my hand until he squeezed it. The fact that he’d done that twice now—held my hand like he didn’t want to give it back—made me exceedingly happy. I had no idea what I was doing with this boy. Man. There would be plenty of time to freak out later. For now, I’d enjoy it. Him.
“So you like books and Nine Inch Nails?” Dastien said.
“Yes to both.”
“And how about Texas?”
“It might be growing on me.” Did I just say that? Someone needed to shoot me before I embarrassed myself any more. Flirting was so not my bag.
He was quiet for a second. “Do you mind if I kiss you?”
I laughed. “That’s kind of abrupt.”
“I guess. Thing is I can’t concentrate on the conversation right now because all I’m thinking about is kissing you—”
“What!”
“It’s true. I could tell you things like you’re beautiful and have the most amazing eyes, but any guy could say the same thing.” He smiled. “You’re amazing—I mean judging by your T-shirts alone, I’d say we were on the same wavelength, but that doesn’t even come close to all of it. I feel this connection. It’s more than attraction, although that’s there, too. And I really, really want to get to know you, but there’s this thing hovering—this need. If we just got it out of the way, maybe it’d help. It might just make things worse, but you can’t blame me for trying.”
My heart rate skyrocketed as he talked. He felt the connection too? “You’re a no bullshit kind of a guy, huh?”
He shrugged. “I’m just honest. I don’t like to play games.” He paused. “So what do you say? Can I kiss you?”
My hormones were screaming, Hell yes! Please, for the love of God, kiss me now! But I made myself think about it.
A kiss could be disaster. Totally nightmare worthy. And yet, even though I didn’t know Dastien at all, I couldn’t ignore that connection either.
All of a sudden he was closer.
Had I moved?
I licked my lips and nodded, saying a silent prayer that I would see nothing.
I closed my eyes as his lips touched mine. They were warm and soft. I opened my mouth a little, and he moved in deeper, placing his hands on my shoulders drawing me close. His tongue brushed mine and desire blossomed. I was lost in a wave of sensations. Through my visions I could feel what he was feeling as well as my own too, and it made me want more. I moved closer, and we tumbled back onto the ground.
He laughed as he hovered over me. He murmured something in French, and then kissed me again.
I wrapped my leg around his hip and pulled him closer to me.
I moaned and he growled in response.
His teeth bit down on my lip. Something ripped into my shoulder.
I pushed at his chest. “What the hell!” He was up and ten steps away from me before I could blink. His eyes were glowing yellow. He took a long slow breath.
I reached for the back of my shoulder, and touched something wet. It couldn’t be blood. The black gloves showed nothing in the dark. I quickly pulled one off and touched it again. I got up and moved closer to the porch light.
A drop of blood dripped off my fingertip.
I ran my tongue along my bottom lip. It tasted faintly metallic. I was bleeding.
“You bit me?” I knew it was my first real kiss and all, but I seriously doubted bleeding was normal. Pain blossomed across my left shoulder. “What? Why?”
“I’m so sorry, Tessa,” he whispered. “It was an accident. I didn’t mean to do it. God! Please know that I—”
Music spilled out from the house as the screen door opened behind me. Rosalyn, Carlos, and the other guys that I’d taken the shot with came outside.
“Tessa. Where’d you disappear—” Carlos stopped mid-sentence as he looked back and forth between Dastien and me. “Is he bothering you?”
“I don’t know,” I said. I really had no clue what the hell was going on. My mind was stuck on one thing. It had been an amazing kiss. The best I could ever imagine a kiss being. Even now, in pain, I’d do it again. No doubt. Something in the core of me needed him, and from the looks of him right now, the feeling was mutual.
When it came to Dastien, all I had were questions. And attraction. But mostly questions.
Carlos and his friends were closing the distance. I pulled my glove back on before any of them got closer. The last thing I needed was another vision.
I glanced back to Dastien unsure of how he wanted to play this off. Tears shimmered in his eyes. The sight took my breath away. I was hurt and pissed, rightfully so, but there was nothing to cry about here.