Page 27 of Splintered Hearts

“I drew it, and he put his flare to it. It’s my favorite, I think, because I helped. A lot of it’s my drawing, and it’s just really cool to see it come to life.” Reaching out, I run my fingers down the lines, feeling his skin pebble.

Okay, Jamie nerding out about art is cute. “Any on your chest or back?”

Jamie pulls his pants back up over his hips. “No.”

Tension fills the air, and I don’t know what I just did to change his demeanor, but I want to take it back. Jamie sits back on his bed, a little farther from me now. What have I done? “Sorry.”

Jamie looks up, frowning. “What?”

“I didn’t mean to make you mad or uncomfortable.”

“It’s not that. It’s okay. I’m sorry. I’m just overwhelmed, I think.”

“Not a social butterfly?” I laugh softly and watch the way Jamie’s eyes dance across my lips as I drag them between my teeth. Something in me sparks alive. It’s been a while since I felt needfor aperson, not just a hookup.

I’m not sure yet whether I want to live here, but I’m one thousand percent sure I want to kiss him. Those soft red lips just look so damn good. Just a sample. Just a taste.

It wouldn’t hurt, right?

With the way Jamie’s eyes warm on my mouth I think he might want that also. What am I supposed to do? Walk out of here? Not with the pleasure burning behind those liquid eyes.

I know it’ll only be a short time before Hunter or Mark findsme. Mark warned me, but... what’s one kiss? It’s nothing, right? Less than nothing, even.

No harm.

Right?

“Can I ask something?” Subtlety has never been my strong suit. Impatience ignites all my bad ideas, and when I want something, I go for it. Right now, that something is Jamie’s mouth on mine. That flash of silver hiding behind his teeth has my interest piqued. “Do you want to kiss me?”

“What?” Jamie snaps back like he’s been slapped.

Well, shit.

Great job, Noah.

“Oh, wow. Sorry.” My face flames, and I want to crawl into a hole. I did not read the signs right at all. I’m off my game. Standing, I’m going to plunge myself over the porch railing. “I am so sorry. You kept looking at my mouth, and I just thought... wow, okay.” Face burning, I give him a curtsy free of charge, because why the fuck not. “Unrelated, do you think your deck is high enough for me to fling myself over?”

“Noah—”

“I think if I swan dive just right, I can fall and break—” Jamie tugs my sweater, the fabric bunching in his fist.

“Wait.” I look up. God, he’s tall. Tall and gorgeous and smells so damn good, like fresh air, rain, and spice. Those warm eyes flick to mine before he nods softly, leaning down before I can register what’s happening. He slants his mouth over mine and my world explodes with color.

Oh . . .

Oh, wow.

I’m so screwed.

Eight

Jamie

Noah . . . wants to kiss me.

My eyes graze over his soft pink mouth. It’s mine for the taking if I want. And fuck, do I want. Watching him look through my sketchbook wiggled something loose in me. Noah didn’t just look at my drawings, he absorbed them.

I like that.

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