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James is silent for so long; I fear he might not enlighten me at all. But he does. “You will feel when it’s right. I’m not talking about those times when you’re both hot and bothered. Sex always seems like a good idea right then. I’m talking about moments when you’re talking, or you’re not even next to each other, but you think about him. If you’re ready for more, you’ll know it. If he’s the right guy, he’ll understand.”
My shoulders slump in disappointment. “Yeah, that’s what all the magazines for teenagers say. But does it really work this way? Won’t he get bored or anything?”
“No, he won’t. Unless he’s a jerk and all he wants is sex. In that case, you’d better stay away from him.”
“Damon is nothing like that,” I assure James.
“Is he pressuring you?”
“Not at all. I just want to know...how these things work.”
“Listen, Dani, this isn’t an exact science. Just take your time, and enjoy each other. It’ll work out.”
“Okay.”
“Do you want ice cream?” he asks out of the blue.
“Err...I don’t believe I’ve ever answered that question with a no.”
“I can buy some and bring it home. We could eat it in the greenhouse—just you and me.”
“You don’t have to do this,” I say gently. “You’ll waste a lot of time with a trip here.”
“Nonsense. I’ll come by in about three hours with ice cream. We can talk about whatever you want.”
I love my brother to pieces. “Thank you, James.”
Chapter Fifteen: Dani
I’m giddy on my way to school the next day. When we arrive, Paul throws me an apologetic look as he parks the car. Usually, he drives away immediately after dropping me off.
"I’m sorry, Dani. I have orders to—”
"I know," I say, unable to help my grin. "I hope you brought a lot of newspapers to read, or you'll get bored out of your mind."
Paul looks dumbfounded at my cheerfulness. The reason for my nerve endings being on edge is inside the school. I couldn't care less if they confine me within it. Damon awaits me by his locker and I walk right into his arms, not caring about the stares we attract.
"I've missed you," he whispers in my ear, sending tendrils of heat down my spine, lighting up my already delicate nerves.
"I missed you, too," I confess. His fingers trace my cheek, down to my jaw. He gently pulls me to him. When our lips touch, I turn to mush in his arms. Everything around us fades, and there is nothing else except his warm lips and the sweet way in which they mold to mine. The fierce impulses it sends through me weaken my knees.
We don't stop until we hear a loud and forced cough. Principal Charleston is standing right in front of us. I blush furiously.
"This behavior is not acceptable," he says. I wish I could dig a hole in the floor and disappear into it.
Damon doesn't let go of my hand, not even under the principal's stern look. Mischief dances in Damon's green eyes, and I suddenly don't feel as ashamed. His kisses are worth a few words of reprimand.
We don’t talk during classes, and during the breaks, we busy ourselves with kisses. I save telling him about my parents for lunch. We eat in the cafeteria because the weather is too chilly to sit on the roof. Sitting on the same side of a corner table, we’re sheltered from people's view, but I can't ignore everyone's stares when we get our food. Some of them hold so much incredulity they are downright offending.
Hazel sits at the opposite end of the table, listening to music in her headphones. She frowns at her spaghetti. I know she feels like a third wheel, and I’m trying to find a way for her not to feel like that. We refrain from kissing in front of her, though I wish we could. There is an insatiable craving inside of me for him. It consumes me permanently, but roars louder and more demanding when he is nearby.
"My parents know about us and also that you’re a fighter," I tell him. "They don't know you spent the night at our house or that I went with you to a fight," I add quickly at his stricken expression.
"You had a fight with them?" he asks worriedly.
"Yes. And I...um...I think I handled that all right," I say proudly. My parents went back to ignoring me and each other after our talk, so it's not likely it had much of an impact on them, but I’m glad I told them everything I did. It was liberating.
"What happened? Tell me," Damon beckons.
