Page 68 of The Facade

“Well, you suddenly appearing in front of me didn’t help much, either.” I folded my arms across my chest. “How did you come out here without making a sound?”

“I’m part vampire.”

I glared at him, not amused.

He chuckled. “You just couldn’t hear me over your sunshine-and-rainbows chant.” He smoothed his hands up and down my bare arms, warming my skin. “Sorry I didn’t sit next to you in there like I promised. Nash stole the spot I was saving for you and there were no more empty couches.”

So he had tried to sit next to me?

Why did that suddenly make me feel infinitely better?

“Wanna know what helps distract me when my mind starts spiraling?” he asked, looking at me in a way that made me feel warm.

“Sure,” I said, slightly worried about what his answer might be since you never really knew what you were getting with Mack.

“Going snorkeling in Hawaii,” he said with a wicked grin.

I resisted the urge to roll my eyes, not amused at how unhelpful he was choosing to be. “Well, next time I’m in Hawaii and watch a scary movie, I’ll remember that snorkeling is the cure for a restless mind.”

“It always helps me.” He shrugged, like he’d actually been helpful.

“I’m sure it does. I’m sure just being in Hawaii is actually nice.”

“It totally is. I highly recommend it.” He smiled, and even though he was so far not helpful with his suggestions, I did like the way the smile lit up his face.

And my mind couldn’t help but think that his smile was a nice distraction.

“Wanna know another thing that helps?” he asked.

Even though I was less sure that his suggestions would be helpful now than I’d been a moment ago, I said, “Sure.”

He let his hands travel down my arms slowly, sending goosebumps prickling on my skin. Then taking my hands in his, he said, “Spending time with my friends is also something that helps me. You’re with a friend now, don’t you feel a little better?”

So he was saying that him being here with me should cure my anxiety?

I guess I did feel less scared than I’d been a moment ago.

“I do feel a little better,” I admitted.

Though part of that could also be because he was now holding my hands and I liked the way my hands felt in his.

“Wanna know another proven activity for distracting you from unwanted thoughts and feelings?” He took a step closer so his body was only inches from mine, his head and shoulders hovering over me. I had to angle my head back to meet his gaze.

“Why not?” I asked, my voice coming out breathy from being slightly overwhelmed by his proximity. I cleared my throat and tried to make my voice sound more normal and less affected by the handsome boy just inches away from me. “So far you’re at least one for two.”

He let one of his hands slide up my arm, his touch a gentle caress on my bare skin. And then slipping his fingers into the hair at the nape of my neck, he whispered in a low voice, “It might be better to show you this one instead of simply telling you.”

“Show me?” I breathed out, anticipation surging through my veins and making me feel my heart beating everywhere.

He licked his lips. “It might require a more hands-on technique.” His gaze darted down to my mouth. “Something that involves my very specific teaching skillset.”

He was going to kiss me.

Mack Aarden was going to kiss me again.

And I hadn’t had to beg him to do it this time, either.

He leaned closer and reached up to remove the mask from my face, the gentle graze of his fingertips sending little tingles across my skin. “Do I have your permission to show you what I’m talking about?” He slipped the elastic from my mask around his wrist. And then, running his thumb gently across my cheekbones, he mumbled, “Can we continue our lesson from last night?”

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