“See?” I could hear frustration in her voice. “Even you think I should get rid of it. I bet none of your girlfriends were virgins. Tell the truth—were they?”
“No.” I sat up. “But you’re not like them. You’re definitely girlfriend material.”
“Graham said you don’t do girlfriends.”
"I don't. I’m not in the market for a girlfriend, but I know there’ll be guys at Harvard who will want to be your boyfriend. You should wait."
Graham was right. I wasn't into the whole girlfriend thing, preferring casual sex. But Celia wasn’t that kind of girl. She was serious. She was studious.
“You’re so sweet,” she whispered. “I’ll be sad if you leave Boston to become a Marine. I won't see you for ages, no matter what you do.”
“I’ll miss this place if I join up,” I said, not wanting to admit I wished I could stay and get to know her better. I fought with myself—oh, how hard I fought. "I'll miss Graham. And you."
Then she leaned over, her face next to mine, and I realized she was going to kiss me.
I pulled back. “What?” I said, like an idiot, but I couldn’t let her kiss me, no matter how much I wanted it.
“Will you kiss me at least?” she whispered. “A real kiss?”
“Celia…” I said, shaking my head. “You know I shouldn’t. I’m Graham's best friend. I'm supposed to protect you.”
“Just one kiss,” she said. “I promise. Girl Scout's Honor.” She held up a hand, fingers spread into a V.
“That’s a Vulcan greeting, not a Girl Scout's salute,” I said with a laugh. I could see her smile through the gloom.
She liked me, despite what shit her big brother spread about me—all of it true, no doubt. That made me feel warm inside. If she were anyone else, I 'd be unable to say no.
"Look, I really shouldn't."
That was three times now I’d turned her down. I thought that was heroic, and I doubted I could turn her down a fourth time.
“Not even a peck on the cheek?” she said, sounding so disappointed.
We were sitting beside each other on the blanket and I wanted so badly to pull her onto my lap and kiss her, then take off her bikini top and suck on those delicious globes… But Graham's words kept ringing in my mind.
“Just one kiss and then it’s the meteor shower,” I said, laughing at myself. “No trying to seduce me with your hot body.”
“So, you think I’m hot?” I heard the hope in her voice and couldn’t believe she was unsure of her desirability.
“Do I think you’re hot?” I grinned. “Damn, girl…”
She leaned over and I leaned over, and we kissed. Lightly. Gently. Just two mouths pressing softly against each other. Her eyes were closed, and mine were open, and despite my best intentions, I imagined fucking her as I kissed her, mouth open, sucking her tongue into mine.
Then a bright light blazed in my eyes.
“Hey, what the hell?” came a male voice.
Graham.
Crap.
Celia and I pulled apart and Graham pointed the flashlight directly at me so that I had to hold up my hand in front of my eyes.
“I told you my sister was off limits, man,” Graham said, his voice nearly a growl. “What the fuck?”
“Hey…” Celia's back straightened. “I’m all grown up, Graham. I can kiss who I want.” She looked back at me possessively.
“Not him.” Graham scowled at me. “I told you he’s a male slut, Celia. Besides that, his family is mafia. He’s not the kind of guy you want to get tangled up with. God, it isn’t even your first week away from home and you’ve already hooked up with the most notorious womanizer on campus?”