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“Hey,” he said in surprise, his voice a bit teasing. “You’ve got a little muscle on you for being so tiny.”
She flushed. “Yeah, well . . .”
“Don’t tell me.” He gave her a quick up-and-down. “Yoga?”
She laughed. “No.” Then she paused. She never talked about horses at school, but she remembered Gabriel’s comment about how it was a silly thing to keep secret especially from a guy who seemed into her.
“I ride horses,” she explained. She turned her head to point.
“The farm is just outside the neighborhood. I walk to the barn every morning to ride.”
“I know those woods. I live over there, on the other side.” He paused, and she felt him move even closer. “You ride before school? That’s dedicated.”
She shrugged and turned back to find his lips brushing against hers.
Layne sucked in a breath and pulled away.
He didn’t pursue her, but his hand kept up the stroking of her upper arm. “You okay?”
She nodded quickly, without thinking. He’d tasted sweet, like peppermint.
He reached up to brush a thumb against her lips and her breath caught.
“I’m glad you came,” he murmured.
It softened something inside her. “Me too.”
Then he kissed her again, and she let him, just for the sheer experience of it. His mouth was heavier than she was ready for but it wasn’t bad. Just . . . unexpected.
When his lips moved to part hers, she put a hand against his chest.
Again, he stopped, and Layne tried to catch her breath.
His eyes searched her face. “You’re very pretty.”
She had the same thought she’d had a moment ago. Maybe it’s okay that Gabriel hasn’t shown up.
“Thanks,” she whispered.
His mouth found hers again, heavy and warm and wet.
So this was what kissing felt like.
Nice, but she didn’t get the big appeal.
She put a hand against his chest a final time. He lifted his head, barely breaking contact. “What is it?”
“I don’t even know your name.”
He smiled, and she felt his lips move against hers. “It’s Ryan,” he said. “Ryan Stacey.”
Gabriel stared at the dashboard of Hunter’s Jeep and made no move to get out of the vehicle.
“I don’t know what the hell we’re doing here,” he said.
“Well,” said Hunter, “we could always go back to the house and watch Mamma Mia! with my grandparents. Or maybe we could stare at the police scanner for another hour and wait for nothing to happen. Or maybe ”
“I just don’t feel like being at a party.” At this party. Full of guys who’d know he wasn’t allowed on the team. Full of girls who’d tease him about being an idiot.
