“Actually, you never answered me.”
“Oh. Well that was rude of me.”
This girl. I’m surprised she didn’t apologize for her lack of an answer.
“Promise you’ll answer this time?” I raise a brow.
“Maybe.” Her tone is cautious.
Smart move.
“All right.” I lean forward, my gaze locking with hers. “Have you ever been kissed? Be honest, Birdy. Tell me the truth. I’m dying to know.”
She drops her head, staring at her desk. “That’s really none of your business.”
“Only a girl who’s never been kissed would answer that way.” She doesn’t react. “Come on. Tell me. You’ve never felt the press of another mouth on yours?”
Wren stays quiet.
“Warm lips connecting again and again?”
Still nothing.
“That first touch of someone’s tongue, sliding inside your mouth? Circling. Searching. Hands start wandering…” My voice drifts and still no reaction. She’s gone completely still, her head still bent, long dark hair obscuring her face. “Next thing you know, hands are sliding under your clothes, touching you—”
“Stop,” she whispers, lifting her head, revealing her pink cheeks.
“What’s your answer then, Wren?”
“No. Okay? Are you happy? I’ve never been kissed. But please…keep that to yourself.”
I’m filled with the urge to kiss her right now, but I tamp it down. “Do you want to be kissed?”
“Of course. I just—it hasn’t happened for me yet.”
“Why not?” I glance down at her hand, that damn diamond winking up at me. “Because you promised yourself to your father?”
“It’s not like that.” She shakes her head. “You wouldn’t understand.”
“Please explain. I’d love to understand.”
“Look, no one’s been interested in me enough to even want to kiss me. And no one has really interested me either.”
“What if I told you I was interested.” The words leave me as if I have no control of my thoughts or feelings. I should’ve never said that. The entire moment feels too real, too raw.
I should be threatening this girl to keep her mouth shut after what she saw, but I don’t even bring it up. Not anymore. Even stranger? I’m not worried about her telling on us. She won’t.
I can sense it.
She rolls her eyes. Tries to laugh off what I said. “Please. You definitely don’t want to kiss me.”
“How do you know?” I lean in closer, her intoxicating scent wrapping around me. “You going to let Larsen kiss you then?”
“What? No.” More nervous laughter leaves her. “Not after what you told me.”
“Good girl,” I murmur, noting how her eyes shine at my approval. “You need to stay far away from that asshole.”
“Might be kind of difficult since I’m going to his house for dinner tomorrow night.”
“Don’t let him get you alone.” I’m fucking jealous that she’s going to spend Saturday with that prick Larsen. “Promise me, Birdy. I won’t be there to watch over you.”
“Like I need you as my guard dog. Don’t forget you’re the guy who just chased after me a few days ago and tried to assault me,” she says.
“Assault?” I’m grateful her tone is quiet so no one else heard her say that. “I think you liked it too much to call it assault.”
Her entire face reddens. “You’re awful.”
“But you like it.”
“Not really.”
“A little bit? Come on, you can admit it.”
“Not enough to give you the satisfaction of saying so.” Her smile is serene. “Quit digging, Crew. It’s not a good look for you.”
We’re smiling at each other and it feels…weird. In a good way. In a I might like this girl more than I want to admit way.
The bell rings, knocking us from our trance, and Wren jolts in her chair, immediately reaching for her backpack. I watch her as she puts her stuff away, zipping it up and slinging it over her shoulder before she stands. “Bye, Crew.”
She walks away before I can say anything, her hair swaying. My gaze drops to her skirt, lingering there, wishing I could see more of her.
Wishing I could protect her.
The foreign feeling settles over me and I rub my chest, frowning. Why do I want to protect her? Why do I care so damn much? I don’t get it.