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He watched her move. “You’re not gross.”
Hair fell across the side of her face and she didn’t bother to push it away. “I can’t believe you stayed all night.”
“Yeah.” His voice was careful. “That all right?”
She peeked up at him. He looked too good, his hair barely in disarray, a trace of stubble lining his chin.
She probably had mascara bleeding into her eyelids.
And he was still waiting for an answer.
Becca didn’t have one to give him. It never mattered what anyone did. It only mattered what people thought. She had to clear her throat. “Does anyone know you’re here?”
“I texted my mom to say I was staying at a friend’s.”
“But not—you didn’t put it on Facebook or something—like, about spending the night with me?” Her breathing felt a little quick.
“No. I didn’t.” He paused. “I should have woken you up—I’m sorry—”
Becca shook her head forcefully. She was about to ruin this whole moment. She could feel it. “No. I’m being stupid. People just—get the wrong idea about me, and I don’t like to give them more reasons to start something—”
“No one knows.” Hunter shifted forward and touched her face, brushing his fingers along her chin. “It’s all right.”
His touch offered security, like the night he’d taught her self-defense techniques. She leaned into his hand.
“Look, we have to be at school in a half hour,” he said. “Let me go home and change, and I’ll swing back to give you a ride. Then you can tell anyone who asks that I gave you a lift because your car was totaled.”
Would anyone really notice? She was being a freak. She knew it. But she nodded. “Thanks.”
Becca walked him to the door. Now that he wasn’t touching her, she wanted to ask him to stay. Her skin longed for his warmth, and she had to remind herself that they hadn’t done anything more than kiss.
Hunter held the front door closed when her hand reached for the knob. “Wait.”
He stood very close, and she held her breath, sure he was going to kiss her again. But he took her wrist, the one with the stones.
“You want them back?” she said softly.
“Not yet.” He smiled. “But I’ll trade you.”
His fingers slid along her forearm, untying the dark silver hematite. He replaced it with a rich red stone and a pale yellow one. They sat heavy against her wrist, warm from his touch.
Becca ran her fingers over the slick surface of each. “What are these for?”
He stopped her fingers over the red stone. “Garnet, for confidence.”
“Garnet?” Her eyes flicked up to his. “For real?”
“Yeah.” A smile. “Don’t lose it.”
She touched the paler stone. It felt warmer than the others, almost searing her fingertips. She had to let it go. “And this one?”
“Citrine.” Then he did lean forward and brush his lips against hers. “For courage.”
His kiss seemed to breathe heat right into her body. She had to stop herself from grabbing his shirt and dragging him tight against her.
It was bad enough she was practically panting against the wall.
Hunter caught her hand and kissed her palm, laughing lightly. “I’ll see you in twenty minutes.”
