Chapter Four
Kennedy
"Shoot," I whisper, staring in dismay at Asher baring down on me like a freight train. All morning, he's been lurking outside the door to the classroom where Sophie is getting ready. He finally disappeared and I thought I had time to sneak out to my car to get my notebook. I should have known I was tempting fate.
I can't believe Sienna and Dane almost caught us making out in a freaking closet! In a church! If hell is real, I'm probably going there now. All because the giant stomping toward me makes me completely crazy. I can't think when he's close to me or saying the things he says. No one has ever spoken to me the way he does. It should probably offend me, but it seems to have the opposite effect.
"Sophie will be devastated if you run off now, angel baby," he drawls, stopping a foot away from me. His hair is a little wild, like he's been touching it. Somehow, despite how many times he's messed with his bowtie, it's still straight. He looks incredible…which really isn't fair. I thought he would be less attractive without his tattoos distracting me, but he's still hot as Hades.
"I would never do that," I huff, glaring at him. What kind of friend does he think I am?
"Wouldn't make it out of the parking lot if you tried," he mutters, cocking his head to the side to stare at me. There's a satisfied gleam in his eyes that instantly makes me suspicious.
I pop open the driver's door and lean in to hit the ignition start button. It doesn't do anything. I frown and drop down into the seat, maneuvering so I can put my foot on the brake. I hit the button again and it still doesn't do anything.
Asher's soft laugh tells me everything I need to know.
I climb back to my feet and turn to glare at him. "Did you break my car?"
"No." His lips twitch.
"Oh my God, you did!" I gape at him, not sure if I want to kick him in the shin, strangle him, or kiss the smirk off his face. "You're crazy."
His laughter dies, his expression softening. "Yeah," he says. "For you, angel baby."
Butterflies start doing ballet in my stomach.
"I took one look at you, and lost my damn mind," he mutters, shaking his head like he's surprised by that fact.
I know the feeling. No one has ever made me feel the way he does, like I'm flying and falling and spinning all at the same time. And it was even worse—better—when he kissed me. Which is why I'm out here now. I wanted to write it down before I forgot how soft his lips were against mine, or the way his tongue ring glided across my bottom lip, or the way he made me feel like champagne bubbles were fizzing in my veins.
"I disconnected your battery," he says. "Figured you might try to run after what happened."
"You mean after you kissed me," I say.
"You kissed me first."
My cheeks heat at the reminder.
He reaches out, placing his hand against my cheek. His fingers are rough, but his skin feels so good against mine. I have to fight the urge to lean into him.
"Going to be kissing you a helluva lot more, Kennedy," he murmurs, rubbing his thumb in distracting circles on my neck. "That sweet little mouth is addicting."
"You can't kiss me in church."
"Agreed."
I blink, suspicious at how easy that was.
"Can't make you fall in love with me if you're mad at me," he says with a shrug, tugging me closer to his body. His shadow falls over me, completely engulfing me. "And I don't trust myself to touch you inside that fucking building again."
"Oh. Why not?"
He's so beautiful when he smiles. I mean, he's hot all the time. But when he smiles, it lights him up, softening his expression and warming his gray eyes. "Because I would have had your thighs wrapped around my head and you screaming my name if Sienna hadn't walked in."
"Asher," I say. It's supposed to be a warning, but it sounds more like a plea. Mostly because I think he's right. Had Sienna not walked in, I wouldn't have stopped him. As soon as he touched me, my body went up like kindling.
"If you aren't running away, where are you going?" he asks, giving me a reprieve from that filthy mouth of his.
"Nowhere. I came to get my notebook."