“You didn’t have to,” I said, as he pulled me into his arms. “That was a pretty epic kiss already.”
“I know, but I did a lot of wooing back there,” he said.
“True. That was premium-grade wooing. Professional, even.”
“So lest you think I’m full of hot air and pretty words, I want to ask you something. Something very serious.”
“Serious? You?”
“There’s a party after the Narragansett Bay Regatta. At the Castle Hill Country Club. Supposed to be a big deal,” Orion said, tracing his finger over the top of my hand.
“Okay.”
“I want you to be my date to it.”
I smirked. “What part of ‘I’d like to keep us private’ did you not understand?”
Orion smiled that charming smile of his, the one that turned persuasion into an art form.
I’m doomed before we’ve even started.
“I know,” he said. “And I’m not trying to pressure you, honestly. But I’m going to put this out there, because I meant what I said. I don’t care what anyone thinks. On the contrary, I’d be proud to show off my woman.”
“Your woman,” I scoffed, even as my heart felt full, every part of me becoming warmer and happier with every word he spoke.
“Yes, my woman.” Orion brushed a curl off my forehead. “Iwould love for you to be my date to that party. To walk down those fancy hallways with you on my arm and dance with you in front of all of Castle Hill.” His voice turned low and rough. “I’d like that very much.”
I swallowed hard. “You would?”
“Yes, Bennett, I would.” He smiled. “So just think about it, okay? And if the answer is still no, and you must insist on keeping our sordid affair a secret, I’ll honor that too.”
“Orion…”
I looked away before he could see the tears in my eyes, or how thoroughly he’d broken down the defenses I’d built around my heart and marched right in. Or worse, how badly I wanted to keep him there.
“Whatever you decide.” He bent to kiss me softly. “I’m not going anywhere.”
Part II
Where the heart does not enter, there can be no music.
—Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
Chapter 17Orion
“So,” I whispered to Harper that Monday in chem, “shall we volunteerto be locked in the supply closet together? I think I’m out of beakers. Are you out of beakers? Let’s go get some beakers.”
Harper laughed and blushed prettily. “We have plenty of beakers.” She tucked a curl behind her ear, not looking at me. “But if there’s anyone I’d risk a panic attack for, it’s you.”
I put my hand on my heart and pretended to almost fall off my stool. “Bennett. That was the most romantic thing anyone’s ever said to me.”
“Hush,” she said, glancing around. As usual, Langford was late to class. “I’m working on it.”
“I can see that,” I said, a warm feeling flooding my chest. I’d had this feeling for girls before. They typically originated below the belt and rose no further. But this girl…
Kissing Harper Bennett had been more than anything I’d been prepared for. From the moment we touched, something in my heart shifted. Came awake. I’d spoken of physical anticipation, but when we kissed, another hunger had finally been sated. As if I’d been starvedand deprived, waiting my entire life and finally,finallyfound her.
And she’d found me. I was exceptionally good at hiding my broken pieces, but no one was looking either. Not my parents anyway. But Harper looked. She saw me. Past the money and the jokes and the mask offineso that when we finally kissed and touched and shared each other’s breath, I felt found too.
