“Here’s what you’re going to do, Amber. You’re going to leave Celeste the fuck alone, and you’re going to leave me alone.” I lean back and tuck my hands into my jeans. “And then you’re going to keep your mouth shut, or I’ll blast your dirty laundry to every gossip rag in the country. This is an election year for your dad, so it would be really bad timing.”
Without another glance at her, I open the front door, and the music fills the silence. Up ahead, I see Jackson, and when he spots me, he points to the back deck. I nod my thanks and work my way through the sea of people. It still amazes me how he knows so many people and gets them to come to the island for parties.
Once I’m on the back porch, I look around for Celeste. It’s pretty crowded out here too, but not as bad as inside. There are rocking chairs on the back deck, and it’s terraced down to the lake. There are places to sit all around, so I have to do a couple of laps before I spot her. Then I see the twins hiding in the bushes behind her, and I have to hide my smile. I need to remember to thank them for a job well done.
Celeste and Emerson are talking with someone I recognize but who doesn’t go to our school. Craig or something, I can’t remember. He’s smiling at Celeste, and before I can move closer, he reaches out and places his hand on her bare leg.
“Hey!” I call out, and he looks up as his hand falls away. All at once, everyone out here turns toward me. But there’s only one person whose attention I want—the only one that matters.
When Celeste sees me, there’s a mixture of hesitation and relief on her face. I’m at her side in a nanosecond, and the guy is on his feet backing up.
“Crew, let me introduce you to my friend Craig. He goes to Southside,” Emerson says as he slides an arm around the guy's waist. Oh. “He came with me to the party tonight.”
I press my lips together and nod as the tension eases. “Nice to meet you,” I say, trying to calm down.
“You know, if I had a man that jealous of me, I wouldn’t let him go,” Craig says and winks at Celeste. “You two enjoy your evening.”
He and Emerson walk hand in hand back to the party, and I turn to Celeste.
“I’m sorry.”
“I’m sorry.”
We both say it at the same time, and then she blushes as I smile at her.
“You came to the race,” I say, stepping closer to where she is.
“Yeah.” She shrugs like it’s not a big deal when it’s a very big deal.
The music is playing again, and everyone around us must have gone back to what they were doing.
“Thank you.” It’s the thing I feel strongest right now. Gratitude and relief that she’s still standing here in front of me.
“You’re welcome.”
She’s looking everywhere but at me as I take another step in her direction. We’re only about five feet apart, and if I wanted I could reach out and grab her. And god, how I want to do just that.
“We need to talk,” I say, and finally her eyes meet mine.
“I wanted to yell at you,” she admits, and then one side of her lips curls up. “I really, really wanted to yell at you.”
“And now you don’t?” I take another step closer, and I catch that sweet scent that’s only her. It’s like sunshine and fresh coconuts, and it reminds me that it’s been too long since she was in my arms.
“I can’t think straight when you’re this close.” I glance down and see her fingers twitch like she’s forcing herself not to reach up and touch me.
“Then don’t think.” Reaching up slowly so she sees my intent, I place my hand on the side of her neck, wrapping my fingers around to the nape. “Just feel.”
“It’s too much.” Her brows pull together like it’s painful, and I know what she means.
“No, beautiful.” I lean in close so my lips are hovering over hers. “It’s never enough.”
In that moment, everything that happened before has been pushed aside. Maybe not forever, but for now. She closes her eyes, and the last bit of distance between us disappears. I don’t know which one of us moved first, but when our lips connect, it’s like my broken heart has been mended.
Chapter Five
Celeste
He presses his mouth against mine, making me melt into his touch. I want so much more as his fingers dig into my hair and he deepens the kiss. I part my lips, allowing his tongue to sweep against mine. The taste of him fills me like the sweetest dessert, and I can’t get enough. For a long moment, I forget about everything else, and it’s only the two of us.