Page 21 of Fame & Chaos

“You’re not being silly, Indi. Tell me what’s going on in that gorgeous head of yours.” I leaned closer and tucked a loose strand of blonde hair behind her ear, and she melted into the touch instantly. The soft little nuzzle against my palm nearly destroyed me.

My hand slid naturally to her cheek, holding her there gently while I stroked my thumb over her warm skin. She looked flushed, nervous, beautiful… and I could barely breathe properly.

Something was happening between us.

Something huge.

“I’ve been thinking about something for a while,” she admitted quietly. “Even before I moved in here.”

I swallowed hard. “Okay…”

Her tongue darted out nervously, wetting her bottom lip.

Big mistake.

My entire body tightened instantly.

Jesus Christ.

I had to force myself to look back into her eyes before my brain completely short-circuited, and I embarrassed myself by getting hard right there beside her.

“Indi,” I said softly, brushing my thumb over her cheek again. “Talk to me.”

She stared at me for a second like she was trying to gather courage. Then she whispered, “I’ve always wondered what it would feel like to kiss someone.”

I blinked. “Someone?”

She smiled slightly and shifted closer. “I’ve never kissed anyone before.”

Something sharp twisted in my chest. Of course, she hadn’t. And apparently, I was just the conveniently available option sitting beside her.

God, that hurt more than it should have.

I tried not to let it show. “Well…” I forced a shrug. “I’m pretty sure half the guys at school would volunteer for that job.”

She frowned. “What?”

“You’re gorgeous, Indi. Any guy would want to kiss you.” The words tasted bitter in my mouth because I already hated whoever this mystery guy was.

She looked down briefly before taking my hand again. “There’s just one problem…”

I turned away slightly before she could see how badly this conversation was wrecking me. Because deep down, I already knew where this was going.

She liked somebody else.

And apparently, I’d just volunteered to listen to her talk about it like a complete idiot.

“Oh yeah?” I asked carefully.

“There’s this guy…” Her voice softened. “And I really want my first kiss to be with him.”

Every muscle in my body went tight before I stared down at the floor, blinking hard.

Cool.

Great.

Fucking fantastic.