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“I like touching you, but you didn't answer my question.”
He tugged gently on a lock of my hair, “Yes.”
“No piercings?”
His right eyebrow rose slightly in question, “No, why?”
“I don't know, it just seems like tattoos and piercings go hand in hand.”
“I'm not big on piercings. Why, you want me to get pierced?”
“No, I like you just the way you are.”
He drew me close, pressing me up against his hard body. “I like you just the way you are.”
And then he kissed me like it was his job, and I sighed into his mouth before losing myself completely in the moment.
Chapter Five
By Saturday night my return to my aunt's tomorrow loomed. But for tonight, Poppy and I were staying up and chatting while giving each other facials. She’d rubbed some chocolate mask on my face, and it smelled so delicious I just wanted to eat it.
We sat on the floor, resting up against the bed, as we ate popcorn while the movieSomething Borrowedplayed in the background. Poppy was not paying any attention to the movie, because she was more interested in talking about Bastian.
“You like him and don't bother trying to be coy about it. You are literally glowing and I'm not the only one to notice. Mom even commented.”
It was true, I was falling hard for Bastian and I hardly knew him. If he occupied my thoughts as much as he did now, then what was going to happen when I fell completely for him? And I would; it was a foregone conclusion. “Honestly, I'm freaked out a bit at how much I like him.”
She was genuinely curious when she asked, “Why?”
“I can't stop thinking about him.”
“I knew it, I knew it the first day of school. I'm so happy for you.”
Poppy's enthusiasm was contagious, but I couldn't deny there was a small part of me that doubted Bastian and I were going to be together long enough for it to matter. His parents seemed quite determined to mold Bastian into the man they wanted. And despite knowing he had more than his share of self-confidence, even the strongest caved under the pressure of family. I was certain that if his parents ever met me, they would instantly take a disliking to me because unlike Kira, I didn't fit into the plans they had for Bastian's future. The thought was a thoroughly depressing one.
“What are you thinking, Lark?”
Now wasn't really the time to get into it. Bastian and I had only just started dating and I intended to enjoy every second that I was lucky enough to call him mine. “Nothing really, just enjoying the ride.”
Poppy's smile was proof that she liked my answer, which she confirmed when she said, “Good plan.”
***
The following day, I returned home only to be greeted by Carol and Deena, who spent a good hour with me sharing stories about their trip. It felt really nice, their attempt to include me. The same could not be said of my aunt, who ignored me as usual. My uncle said a quick hello before he locked himself in his office, so he could get caught up on some pressing work.
Later that night, I sat in my room doing homework when there was a knock at my door. When my uncle entered, I felt myself tense. My concern must have been clear on my face. A slight smile touched his lips.
“Don't worry, your aunt and the girls are grocery shopping. May I sit for a minute?”
“Sure.”
He settled on the edge of my bed and I couldn't help but notice how handsome he was with his thick blond hair and dark brown eyes. Even in his forties, he was still in excellent shape.
His words pulled me from my silent study. “I know you weren't invited to join us, only learned it while we were on vacation or I would have invited you Lark, would have insisted that you join us. I am so sorry. Your aunt is a good woman, but she does have one major flaw. She's a very jealous person, and it is her jealousy that fuels her behavior toward you. I'm not making excuses for her—her behavior is wrong but I would like to share a bit of our past. I realize I should have told you long ago, but part of me hoped your aunt would come around and part of me wanted to wait until you were old enough to understand.”
“Okay.”
He took a moment to choose his words and when he spoke his voice barely registered. “I was in love with your mother.”
