Page 32 of Severance

“I bake cupcakes. What do you do besides singing and playing guitar?”

“I’m an event coordinator at Cascade Locks.”

“That sounds like fun.”

“Baking sounds like fun too.”

Talking to Dakota is so easy. I had no idea it could be like this with a man.

* * *

The car comes to a complete stop and I shift in my seat nervously. The sweet taste of Patty’s milkshake is still on my tongue.

“Thanks.” Dakota turns to face me. “I had a really great time.”

“Me too.” I nod, unfastening my seatbelt. My palms are sweating again and my heart’s beating a bit faster. I blame it on all the hand holding at the movie and the diner.

“Can I see you tomorrow?” he asks quietly, his eyes drilling into mine.

My brain scrambles to fathom his request. I need a moment to process what he’s said.

“Tomorrow?” I murmur finally, locking my hands on my lap when they begin to shake. This is going way too fast. And no, I don’t hate it. “I can’t. I need to finish some assignments for Monday.” The words die on my lips. I just turned down a guy in favor of my college studies. Jess would kill me.

“So when?” Dakota unfastens his seatbelt and moves closer to me.

Our faces are now only a fraction of an inch apart and his heat is consuming me like a black hole.

“Thursday?” I say. “I’m free next Thursday.”

“You’re going to make me wait that long?” The right corner of his lips curves up and his dimple makes an appearance.

Here comes the lame excuse.“I have finals next week,” I explain, wondering if it’s a deal breaker. Maybe he doesn’t like me enough after all.

We fall back into silence, but Dakota never stops looking into my eyes. He studies me carefully, then slides his hand up my shoulder and tucks a lock of my hair behind my ear.

My heart jumps into my throat when his mouth gets closer to mine. I’m convinced he’s going to kiss me any second now, and although I desperately want to taste him, I’m also terrified because all the lectures my father has given me about evil men wanting to take my virtue are now imploding inside my head. I squeeze my eyes shut and try to push away the irrelevant thoughts that are ruining the moment.

“I guess I don’t have a choice, do I?” Dakota’s velvety voice caresses my cheek.

“No, but…you can still text me,” I mumble.

“You bet.” His whisper makes me shiver all over.

I’m sitting there with my eyes closed and my cheeks burning when his lips brush against mine. They’re warm and soft and feel just as heavenly as a bite of a vanilla cupcake.

I don’t dare move—I’m scared of doing something wrong. His lips grow firm, moving slowly and carefully at first, and then they’re a little demanding, making my head spin. When his breath washes over my tongue, our gasps become one. It’s the most intimate I’ve ever felt with someone in my entire life.

Dakota pulls away and mutters in my ear, “Have you even been kissed before, Alana?”

I’m not sure whether I should be offended or flattered, but one thing’s for sure, the reason he asked me this question is because he already has an idea of what kind of a girl I am and my answer is simply going to verify it.

“Not like this,” I confess, my voice rough due to the way my heart’s thumping. The two times I got roped into stupid games at the high school parties Jess and I sneaked into don’t count. Those weren’t kisses. Those were stupid dares I don’t really care to remember.

This, right now,thiswas a real kiss. It was mind-blowing and sensual, and I hope my inexperience wasn’t too disappointing. I hope Thursday is still happening.

“Where did you come from?” Dakota laughs quietly against my cheek, his fingers brushing across my chin.

“I don’t know… The moon?” I come back with a joke.

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