Page 515 of Rock Me All Night
I swallow the dessert, blink my eyes open, and stare back at Pete. He's trying to hide the pain in his expression but it's there, clear as day. As clear as mine.
What would it be like if we let the walls around our hearts down and had an honest conversation? I've never done that before. Not even with Madison. I was always trying to protect her from how bad things were with Dad.
I deflect or throw out white lies without thinking about it.
It's scary, telling Pete the whole truth and nothing but the truth. But there's something intoxicating about it.
I finish my ice cream and stare at the big, bright sun.
A voice breaks my concentration. It's high pitched, a girl about twelve or thirteen.
"Oh my Gosh!!! I… Are you really Pete Steele?" she squeals.
Pete is a good sport. He nods hello and extends his hand. "What's your name?"
"Alexandra." She smiles at him and thrusts her phone into his hand. "Will you sign this?"
"You get permission from your mom?" He nods to a twenty-something woman sitting on a park bench and staring at us.
"That's my nanny," the girl says. "And it's fine. Please."
He pulls a marker from his jeans, signs her phone case, and hands the device back.
The girl stays put. She motions to me, clasps her hands together, and squeals. "Is this your girlfriend?"
Pete's lips curl into a smile. He looks at me and raises an eyebrow.Play along?The girl is excited. I'll play along.
I smile at the girl. "Yes. But it's a secret."
"Why?" she asks.
"Her father doesn't approve," Pete says. "You can keep a secret?"
"Of course," the girl squeals. She continues to stare at us. "She's really pretty."
My cheeks flush. Kids her age are not usually so complimentary. "Thank you."
"If she's your girlfriend, you should kiss her," she says.
Pete laughs. "Alexandra, you should be a lawyer one day. Like Jess. She's going to law school. And she's shy."
This does not please Alexandra.
"No, she's right." My cheeks flush. "You need evidence to support your claim."
"Future lawyers have to stick together?" He raises a brow.
I nod. Yes, that's my testimony. It has nothing to do with how badly I want him kissing me.
My heart thuds against my chest. My stomach flutters.
His hand slides around my neck. He's actually going to kiss me.
Pete's fingers dig into my skin as he pulls me closer. The strength of his touch erases every other thought in my brain.
His lips brush against mine.
Every nerve in my body fires at once. His lips are soft, sweet, and slightly sticky. He tastes like that green tea ice cream. And underneath that is something that is just Pete.
