Page 58 of No Summer Hotter than You

Wordlessly, he reached out to me with inquiring, open hands. My hands were tightly clenched into fists as I placed them in his. He soothed and massaged both out slowly—taking his time with each hand—until I was goo in his palms. My skin tingled and craved more for his touch as he pulled his hot fingertips away.

“We’ll be all right. You hear?” he confirmed. “Just leave it up to me.”

My brows crumbled together. “Anthony.”

“Let me take care of you, Shoua.” His voice was firm and pleading.

My eyes began to mist as I looked at him—dark and damp hair pushed back, glowing golden skin, kissable moles marked along his nose bridge and jaw, and the most beautiful pair of golden brown eyes peering back. He was breathtaking.

If we weren’t great friends and were simply just two people who existed on this earth, then I’d lean over and fervently kiss that sweet, tender smile off his lips. I’d let myself fall into him as if I had waited my whole life to be with him.

“Are you sure?” I croaked. My lips trembled and I could feel tears prickling the corner of my eyes.

No crying, I said to myself. Not right now.

“You’re safe with me. I promise.” His fingertips lightly grasped my chin, keeping my eyes on him.

We stared at one another for a while as my blood thickened and all I could hear was the way my heart worked hard to pump with all its might.

“You’re lucky my mom likes you,” I said as I sniffed.

“Exactly! So, don’t worry.” Anthony grinned confidently. He finally pulled away from me, leaving his heat seared into my skin.

I rolled my eyes. “That’s only because you’re charming and handsome.”

He let out his adorable, high-pitched hyena laugh as he rested his elbow on the center console. He lazily rested his chin in his palm, looking cocky as hell. His grin tipped into a smirk and pulled the strings of my lips with his. I smiled back as he fluttered his long lashes at me.

“Keep telling me sweet nothings. I love to hear it.” His voice was deep and husky like last night when we slept together.

My lower belly clenched as I remembered the way he used that voice to make me come. I shook my head at him.

“Let’s take few deep breaths before we face your mom together,” he said.

Anthony’s eyes never left mine as we inhaled and exhaled in tandem. Breathe in and breathe out. Slow and methodical. After five deep breaths together, I felt much better, and he knew it. He didn’t say anything; he just looked at me with bright eyes and a wide boyish smile that could light up even the darkest corners of the world, making my chest constrict.

This was the look I expected him to give me when I woke up this morning, except he didn’t. I was half-expecting him to act like his usual self and laugh it off, which would’ve hurt less than the look he gave me.

Pure panic and regret were written all over his face the moment I opened my eyes. The way his face twisted would forever be burned in my memories. How could I possibly forget the way the filtered sunrays peeped through his curtains and across his face, showcasing those wide, afraid eyes? Or the way his brows crumpled together, tied by a thick line of apprehension, while his lips pressed thin with alarm?

He was terrified, and so was I.

I took in another gulp of breath, hoping to ease the heaviness of my body, heart, and soul. I took in yet another to shoo what happened earlier out of my mind.

“Ready?” Anthony asked gently.

With a single nod from me, he pulled away from the curb and we were on our way to my mother. When we got there, she looked rather surprised, maybe even embarrassed, that Anthony was with me. My parents, Sai, Anthony, and I all sat in the living room.

My family was on one side of the room, while Anthony and I were on the other. As my anxiety rose, Anthony looked calm and collected. But I’m sure he wasn’t entirely relaxed; he had to play the part of a good and respectful Hmong young man.

He didn’t sit far from me, but he was at a respectful distance. His arm wasn’t thrown over my shoulders like it’d typically be at his parents’. While his parents were progressive, mine were a bit more conservative and traditional, and he knew this. PDA was a huge no in front of them.

“So, you and Shoua are together,” my dad said firmly. He looked Anthony straight in the eyes.

Unlike my mom, he wasn’t upset. He seemed genuinely inquisitive, especially since my family had always known Anthony as nothing more than my friend. However, my dad had a natural intimidating aura about him. It made it hard for anyone who didn’t know him well to gauge his true feelings, but I knew he was delighted with the news.

“Yes, Shoua and I have been together for a few months now,” Anthony answered with a nod.

“Shoua, why didn’t you tell me the truth about you two?” my mom asked. Her bitter words cut off my dad before he could respond to Anthony, and we all looked at her. I could practically see the blood boiling under her mottled skin. “You’re in a relationship with Anthony and yet you refused to help your brother out when I asked you to ask your boyfriend for a favor. Do you even know how upset I am right now about your lies and deceit?”

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