Page 13 of The Kiss List

Hey, Denton and I are locked in the guest bedroom. Can you get us out?

Iris responds not even a minute later.You want to kiss someone at this party, right? There's your chance. See you in seven minutes. Have fun! xx

"No," I gasp.

"Let me guess, she's not coming."

I whirl around to face Denton who's now sitting on the bed. "This is all your fault, you know. We wouldn't be here if it wasn't for your meddling."

He hangs his head. "I'm sorry, okay? I really thought it would work."

Wow. Did he really just apologize? That was the last thing I expected him to do.

I release a defeated sigh and plop down on the bed next to him. "Forget it. It was a waste of time anyway. So I'll be a seventeen-year-old girl who's never been kissed. Who cares? I'm not the only one on that boat. I should never have made it into a big deal in the first place. Maybe I'll find my luck when I turn eighteen."

"Why are you giving up so soon? We've just barely started. I really think we can do this," Denton says earnestly, scooting a little closer to me.

I stare at him in wonder. "You really want to help me, huh?"

"I really do."

As our gazes remain locked, I can't help but notice how good he looks under the warm light of the bedroom. And how alone we truly are.

“Maybe you should just kiss him.”

Ugh. Why did Iris plant that seed in my head? Now, I can't stop thinking about it.

"His name should be on your kiss list. Heck, he should be on top, not Conrad.”

No, I shouldn't even consider doing it. Because I have a feeling that it would make things complicated. Or, at the very least, awkward.

Denton is kind of starting to grow on me. Kissing him will surely change our dynamic.

But what if it doesn't? What if it turns out to be good? You'll never know until you find out…

This is really Iris's fault. I wouldn't be thinking about Denton this way if it wasn't for her stupid suggestion.

Then again, maybe I should just stop thinking too much and just go for it.

"You know what? Just let me think of another—"

I press my lips against his, effectively interrupting him before he can even finish the sentence. But the kiss doesn't last for more than a couple seconds.

Denton's eyes are as wide as saucers when I pull back, shock stealing his features.

Oh, my God! I can't believe I did it.

I cover my mouth with a shaking hand, my heart thrumming wildly in my chest. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have done that. I wasn't thinking straight."

He swallows hard, his eyes suddenly intense. "No. I think you know exactly what you were doing," he whispers. Then his lips are on mine once again.

Now, my eyes are the ones rounded in shock.

Denton is kissing me softly, unhurriedly, as if assuring me that I can pull away any time I want. But instead of doing just that, I stay put and shut my eyes, relishing the feel of his lips on mine.

Then slowly, tentatively, I begin to mimic the movement of his lips. Just as softly. Just as unhurriedly.

My heart is beating so hard in my chest, I can hear it loudly in my ears. My eyes remain closed even when Denton stops.

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