Page 181 of Steps

We’re quiet for the most part. Varen plays aroundwith my fingers while holding my hand. I glance at his face, curious as towhat’s going through his mind and why he’s staring at the dark water, atpassersby, but not at me.

“Can’t wait until summer,” I tell him, jerking hishand playfully. “When we can go swimming in the river again.”

Varen meets my gaze, at last, a half-smile on hishandsome face. He doesn’t say anything.

I slow to a stop with him. “What’s wrong? Did youwant to do more for your birthday?”

He shakes his head. “No, tonight was great.”

“Then what is it?” I ask, sloping my head while Istare into his mesmerizing eyes.

Varen cups my face. “Nothing. Only that I loveyou. All I want is to make you happy.”

Naturally, a smile parts my lips. “You do make mehappy. Long as I’m with you, I’ll always be.”

Leaning in, he kisses me slow and sensually.

My breathing picks up, and my heart starts tosprint. When we move apart, I tell him, “Love you too.”

“Toya…” He turns his head in awe. “Every momentwe’ve shared is special to me. I hope you’ll always remember that.”

“Of course.” I draw my bottom lip in between myteeth. “Let’s go home, so I can give you more special moments.”

A low groan seeps out as he tows me closer, loops hisarm around my waist, and we quicken back to the car.

We don’t even turn on the lights when we enter theapartment, too overcome with sexual heat. Stripping out of our clothes, we flopdown on the bed and continue making out as if it’s our first time.

Varen trails his hands down my neck and onto mychest, causing me to wince as he grazes my fresh tattoo.

“What’s that?” he asks on an exhale.

I’m almost out of breath. “That’s your gift.”

He straightens and turns on the lamp by the bed tolook at me. Seeing the tattoo, his brows shoot up.

“Kenya and I left school early. I went to theartist who did yours.”

A laugh of surprise gushes from his lips. “Shit,you really did it.” He scrutinizes my small raven tattoo carefully, hoveringhis fingers above my skin.

“Do you like it?” I whisper, touching his face.

Varen eyes me with sheer adoration. “I love it.”He shoves his mouth on mine, kissing me hard as he positions between my legsand makes love to me.

46

Varen’s side of the bed is empty when I roll overin the morning. Easing up on my elbows, I see him on the couch with his laptop.

“Hey,” I croak out, rubbing the sleep from myeyes. “We should get a move on, or we’ll both be late.” I reach over the sidefor my nightshirt, putting it on.

“I already showered.” He sets the laptop on thecoffee table, straightens, and ambles to the bed. “We need to talk.”

“Oh.” I observe the expression on his face. Heseems a tad serious. “What’s going on?”

“I, uh, went on the UCLA site and paid youradmissions deposit. They’re sending a welcome packet in a couple weeks.”

“What?” I exclaim. “Why did you do that?”

His eyes hold mine. He seems so sincere. “I was upall night thinking, and I realize I just can’t let you do it, Toya. Don’t throwyour dream away. Go to California.”

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