Page 54 of Steps

Varen notices as well, but we have to pull apartso we can get in the car.

“Do you want to do anything else?” he asks beforeleaving the lot.

I nod. “Lunch please.”

A sly grin appears. “I can make lunch at thehouse.”

12

We both release sighs of relief, realizing ourparents aren’t back.

As Varen promised, he makes lunch for the two ofus, and we get comfortable on the large sofa in the family room, eating grilledchicken sandwiches.

“Mmm. This is good,” I praise him.

He smirks. “Of course, I made it.”

“Cocky much?”

Varen drinks his soda to wash it down. Before hetakes another bite, I ask, “What’s your favorite place in Baltimore?”

“Federal Hill Park. It’s perfect at night.” Hewiggles his brow. “We should go later. We’ll sneak out.”

“I’ve never snuck out before.”

He squints at me. “You’re such a good girl.”

I stretch my legs, touching his thigh with mytoes. “Not anymore.”

“Hmm. No, you’ll always be.” Desire burns in hiseyes as he glides over my body. “Was that really your first kiss in the movieroom?”

“Yes. I told you, Varen, I’ve never doneanything.”

A solemn expression appears on his face. “I hopeyou won’t ever regret it.”

I put the plate with the rest of my sandwich onthe coffee table. “I’m sure I won’t. Why? Do you regret yours? How old were youby the way? The first kiss and the first time. Be honest.”

Varen places his plate and cup on the coffee tableas well. Sighing, he leans back against the cushion and peers up at theceiling. “My first kiss, I was fourteen. First time at fifteen. We both were,”he hurries to say before I ask. “Sadly, it didn’t mean anything. We were bothhigh, and it was something we did for fun. She started dating another kid aweek later.”

“Damn.” I chip at my nails.

“Yeah. Damn indeed.” He moves closer and lies ontop of me, kissing me with so much passion.

I chuckle with his mouth on mine.

Varen stops and wrinkles his brows. “What?”

“Our mouths taste like a mixture of chicken,bread, and soda. It’s kind of off.”

We laugh, then he plants kisses all over my face.“The sound of your laughter is everything. I never want it to stop.”

“Well, I think I have to, or I’ll barf.”

Varen eases up from my stomach, and we straightenon the sofa. I lean back and stare at him.

He caresses my face and whispers, “Are you stillthinking about it?”

“Yes.” I touch his hand as I ask, “What’s yourdream, Varen? What do you want most in this world?”

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