Page 17 of Beautiful Storm

I do as asked a few more times and the panic subsides, but when I’m finally able to concentrate again, Luke’s still staring at me, his own gaze full of concern.

“I’m okay,” I whisper as my heart races. “Thank you.”

“Good.” Luke blinks, snapping out of his stupor. “Do you want to go down?”

“No.”

He smiles but doesn’t release my face, and my breath picks up speed again, this time for a different reason.

“Luke, what are you doing?” My eyes bounce between his as he drops a hand to my waist and huffs out a breath.

“I have no idea, but I can’t seem to step back.”

My breath hitches, while deep in the back of my mind there's a voice screaming at me to remember who this is. That we’re not friends anymore. But I just saw a side of him I haven’t seen in years, and it’s blocking my common sense to the point that I want him to kiss me.

Luke brushes a hair away from my face and my heart slams in my chest, trying not to focus on his eyes locked on mine as though he’s staring into my soul in a way only he ever has.

“Ace,” he whispers, my old nickname rushing from his lips like it’s escaping after years of being held back, and then, before I can process it, his mouth is on mine and he’s kissing me.

Luke Bennett is kissing me.

His lips gently caress mine, before his tongue sneaks out, seeking entry, and I panic. I’ve never been kissed before. What if I do it wrong? What if—

He nibbles on my bottom lip and I gasp, my lips parting to let him in. And then my instincts take over, matching his intensity. Our tongues swirl, his hands roam over my body, and he’s eliciting sounds from me that I’ve never heard before.

As if feeling for the first time, every one of my senses heightens. My skin tingles where he’s touching me, his smell makes me euphoric, and the taste…

I’m a mess of chaotic thoughts and butterflies but enjoying every second as he possesses my mouth, taking everything I have to give.

“Luke,” I moan against his mouth, and he groans in return.

“Fuck, Amelia.”

“Fire!” A voice breaks into my mind, and I spring away, confused until the words register.

Fire?

The voice calls again and I panic. “We have to go.”

Luke stares at me for a second before he snaps out of his daze. Glancing down at his phone, he shakes his head. “Ten minutes to go. Are you really going to fold? The next dare is guaranteed to be worse.”

“What?” I stare at him dumbfounded, my mind racing and my lips still tingling from his kiss. “Luke, there’s afire.”

He crosses his arms over his chest. “A challenge is a challenge.” He turns away but not before his face drops.What the hell is going on?

“You’re being ridiculous. This is crazy.” I rush to the door, my panic increasing until I’m hyperventilating again.

“Help!” I call out. “Please. David?”

Luke's low laugh filters into the air. “It’s a joke, Amelia. Can you smell any smoke?”

“Why wouldanyonejoke about a fire?”

“I don’t know.” He throws his hands in the air. “To piss off the couples hooking up.”

That makes no sense, but I wouldn’t put it past some of these kids, and as I concentrate, he’s right—I can’t smell anything.

“Are we calling it quits or are you going to take the risk?” Luke bounces his eyebrows and a negative energy settles in my stomach.

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