Page 73 of Single Teddy
“I’m fine. Really. I’m…I’m just worried about Niko and Valentin.”
Joey’s face sank.
“Me too. No matter what’s going on in that house in terms of criminal activities, I’m far more concerned with what these kids are going through,” Joey said.
“Yeah.” Wesley’s shoulders dropped and he sank farther into his seat.
Joey fiddled with the radio until he found a cheery tune, but all that did was intensify the feeling of dread that permeated thecar. I kept glancing at Wesley in the mirror. My mouth felt all tingly still from that hint of a kiss, and my heart raced faster than if I had been running a marathon.
The memories of what I’d done last night, of what I had fantasized him doing to me, blasted my senses, and a warmth traveled down my spine, making me uncomfortable in my seat. I was so distracted by this chaotic energy within me that I didn’t even notice when we reached Wesley’s house and Joey came to a stop in his driveway.
That didn’t mean Wesley hadn’t though, as he thanked Joey and got out of the car before I could even stop him or help him.
“I don’t know who and what you like,” Joey said as I put my hand on the door handle, and I froze, “but if you don’t get out of this car right now, you’ll be the biggest idiot I know. And I know quite a few.”
I turned and stared at him.
I wanted to ask him what he meant, but it was pretty apparent. I didn’t know how he knew, but I wasn’t going to waste any more time finding out. I just opened the door, cast one last look at my friend, and chased after Wesley.
I caught him on his porch just as he fished his keys out of his bag, and I softly grabbed him by the elbow.
“Hey,” he whispered.
“Are you sure you’re okay?”
He nodded, delicately. Slowly.
“I’m sorry,” I said.
He looked up at me with confused, knotted eyebrows.
“Wh-what for?”
“That we—I sent you in there to clone the phone. It should never have been you.”
Wesley sighed and looked down.
“Don’t be sorry. If not me, then who? I…I was the only one who could get close enough?—”
“But still. This shit is terrifying when you’re trained for it. I can’t even imagine”—I raised my free hand to Wesley’s face, and even though there was no hair obstructing his view, I traced my fingers along his temple and ear as if there was—“how you must feel.”
Wesley looked up at me with wide green eyes and pink parted lips that called out to me.
“I…I’m…I…” he said, but he gave up all too soon and simply continued staring at me.
“I won’t let that happen again,” I told him. “I promise?—”
Before I could even finish, he stood on his toes and kissed me. And this time, it wasn’t just a hint. His lips slipped between mine like two puzzle pieces that fit perfectly together, and all my senses seized, focusing entirely on the single point of contact as if it were my lifeline.
“Shit. Sorry.” He pulled back before I knew what was going on and turned his back to me, trying to escape into his house.
I grabbed his arm before he could and spun him around, back to me, and he looked at me with big, wide eyes as if he was scared of me.
I didn’t want him to be afraid of me. I didn’t want him looking at me like that. My stomach sank at the idea that he would look at me with terror in his eyes.
I had to show him I wasn’t scary. That he didn’t need to fear me. That…I wanted him.
I leaned in, aiming for his lips, but he put his hand to my chest and took a step back.
