Page 29 of Deranged Imposter

I get Aquilina’s motive; she wants to win Mikah over, and the best approach is quality time. Mikah has money to buy gifts to woo himself.

But does she need to go as far as coming to this place? She’s not dressed for the weather or terrain with her wedge heels and date-night attire.

Nate, I understand. He’s in love with Aquilina; hearts are overflowing in his eyes whenever he looks at her.

Whatever the reason, I don’t care.

My giddy laugh shakes my frame as I shudder, anticipating the rich taste on my salivating tongue. I won’t share. I’ll fight everyone’s itchy hands with the sin of greed granting me strength.

I squeal, beaming excitedly up at him. “You deserve all the kisses—”

Stars align to create a constellation as my eyes draw in the span of the sky, uneven heat swipes across the back of my neck, and his lips kiss mine to complete the last color in a kaleidoscopic panorama.

The softest kiss gives the dizziest hallucination.

A round of cooing shatters my breath, shuddering against his lips as he gently pulls back. He runs a calloused thumb over my burning ear and whispers my name fainter than the float of the wind.

Too flustered to yell at him, I rely on short stammers and squeaked whining as he exacerbates my blush with solid five-second eye contact.

“I—I meant kittens!” I hiss, lowering my screech while jabbing a finger into his strong, buff chest. “Cat kisses are the best!”

“I don’t like cats,” he remarks, a chuckle rumbling huskily. “I like you, so.”

“What do you mean ‘so’?” I scoff and cross my arms around my ribs to resist slapping his chest.

“So, I’ll kiss you instead.”

An indirect confession.

What’s going on with him today? He’s bold.

Mikah has never shown a romantic interest in me. In fact, I haven’t seen him even look twice at gorgeous women in skimpy garments or chic outfits.

There is no way he likes me, especially when we grew up together and are best friends.

Emphasis on ‘friends’ and a surplus of platonic memories!

Alright, maybe he’s a little too affectionate. But that’s to be expected for a clingy boy growing up with housekeepers and rare family time. So what if he crosses boundaries in the friendship with debatably intimate gestures?

His love language is physical, emotional, and monetary. Isn’t everyone like that to a certain degree? He’s just wired to want more and receives more when he holds his hands out like a spoiled child.

“Would you two get a room?” Aquilina’s sarcastic tone slices the tension between us.

I jump out of his slackened arm and look away. My group members huddle by the fire, crouching with a bowl of food in their hands as they stare my way like a hoard of night owls. I send them a weak scowl, and they launch a mixture of impish leers.

Aquilina disparages with a glare, hatred winding her shoulders as she crushes her fists to her sides. Nate frowns at me, something I don’t understand the purpose of, and puts a hand on her trembling arm. She snaps at him, shouting about wanting to be alone before stomping into the cabin.

“Wait,” I mutter as I tap my chin in thought. “There’s not enough room to fit everyone.”

Someone from the fire vicinity chimes, “There’s only one bed.”

“And they were roommates!” another bellows merrily as she waves a spoon in the air.

I get their joke, but I wish they didn’t have to do it in front of Mikah.

He’s about as oblivious to romance as those who don’t take the hint after his rejection. Misunderstandings are bound to surface in his mind, and I refuse to be the one to explain the blurry line between friends and lovers.

He kissed me, sober and willing. There is no room for confusion. Lip kissing is a romantic gesture in this country, hounded by the birds and bees talk and a stack of narcotics education.

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