Page 72 of Silent Desires

My breath hitches and I can hear Max laughing behind me, but it’s just background noise at this point. I nod my head, staring into Jasper’s gorgeous green eyes as I lick my lips in anticipation. He places a hand on my cheek, using his thumb to tilt my head up as his smile turns heated. He leans closer and finally, he presses his lips to mine. I close my eyes and my heart races so fast I swear he can hear it. The moment his lips touch mine, the world tilts. The kiss is soft and warm, but electric at the same time, like every nerve in my body has been waiting for this. My mind is a mess—half disbelief that this is actually happening, half wondering why I waited so long to do this. It’s sweet, tentative, but there’s a spark that sets my skin on fire.

Alltoo soon, he pulls back and I open my eyes to see him smiling at me. His eyes filled with warmth, heat, and satisfaction.

Oh. My. God.He kissed me!My first real kiss. It was brief but holy moly! I take a few deep breaths as I try to make sure this memory is etching in my mind for the rest of my life. I never want to forget what that felt like. It was way better than I ever imagined it would be.

I watch as Jasper starts rummaging through my bag, grabbing my phone as I flop back against the seat and fan my heated face.

“You alright there, Sweetheart?” Max asks, grinning.

I glance at him and nod. I’m not cold anymore, that’s for sure. I pinch the front of my shirt and move it up and down, trying to get some cold air to the rest of my body. I swear I must be overheating. That was a great kiss, but I shouldn’t bethiswarm.

I remember how I was sweating at home this morning and internally groan. I might be getting a fever, maybe I really am sick. My mind drifts to my arm. Could the infection be causing this? How bad did it look this morning? I can’t remember—did I even clean it? I’m not sure. My head is starting to feel a little foggy as I try to remember anything I did this morning before Jasper’s kiss.

“Holy shit, guys.” My eyes snap open. I don’t even remember closing them. Jasper is holding my phone, staring at me like he doesn’t recognize me.

“This is the hottest thing I’ve ever read!” My eyes bulge as I realize he’s reading my conversation with Max. I try to grab the phone, but he pulls it out of reach.

“Uh-uh, Mina, you gave me permission, remember?”

I stop reaching and furrow my eyebrows.I did?Ugh. I sit back again and close my eyes. They both laugh, and Jasper keeps making remarks as he reads. I don’t remember it being that long.

The cold suddenly overtakes me again as I wrap my arms around myself to stop from shivering.

When I open my eyes, we’re pulling into a parking spot at the school. I sit up and hold out my palm for my phone. He hands it to me with a smile.

“You have a few missed texts from the guys,” he informs me.

I nod and follow him out of the truck. He grabs my hand while Max takes my other one, leading me to class.

“Mina, Mina, Sweetheart, wake up.” I open my eyes to Max’s concerned gaze. I lift my head from where I’m apparently napping on my desk in math class.

“Are you okay?”

I nod, unsure if I should tell him about the fever. It’s not like he can do anything about it.

“Class is over. Let’s get you to Jasper, shall we?”

I nod as I stand.

“Hey, guys, what’s going on?” Jasper asks, entering the class, clearly tired of waiting for us in the hall.

“Sleeping Beauty here took a nap, so she’s a bit out of it right now.”

I stick my tongue out atMax.

“Don’t show me that unless you’re willing to use it,” Max says in a husky voice, sending a shiver down my spine as my eyes widen at his taunt. I bite my lip as Jasper takes my bag and my hand. We say goodbye to Max and head to chemistry.

Second period goes much like the first. Jasper keeps trying to wake me, promising I can sleep at lunch. I decide to go to the bathroom to splash water on my face and check out my arm.

As I round the corner to the hall where the bathrooms are, a body suddenly pushes me back into the lockers, pressing against my front. My hands shoot up between us, trying to push him away. I look up and meet Brad’s cold eyes.

My body shakes in fear. What is with this guy? I thought he’d moved on from bothering me. Why is he obsessed with me? I’m nothing special.

“It’s hard to find you without the dipshit twins around,” he says, stroking a finger down my cheek. I turn my head away and try to push him back, but he doesn’t budge—he just presses in closer. Memories of other times I’ve been trapped by a man like this flood into my mind and tears sting my eyes as I struggle against him.

I hear voices coming around the corner, and suddenly he pulls back. “This isn’t over,” he whispers angrily before taking off.

Caught in the edge of a panic attack, I slide down the locker, wrapping my arms around my knees and dropping my face, trying to stop the tears from falling. The voices grow louder, laughter and chatter echoing down the hall.

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