Page 56 of Jesse and the Ice Princess
She swam toward him, icy water sending chills through her. When she reached Jesse, he didn't try to get away. Not even as she forced his head underwater.
He reared up and threw her again. This time, she came up laughing.
Jesse rested on his back, his eyes lifted to the blue sky above, but the smile never left his face. She swam toward him, planning to push him back under.
But when she reached his side, he turned to look at her, the ghost of a smile still on his lips. Without thinking, she reached out to touch his face.
He straightened and faced her. Still, she needed to feel what he was feeling, his joy, his hope.
"Charlie," he whispered. "What are you doing?"
"I just..." She pulled her hand away.
"Don't stop."
Gathering her courage, she lifted her hand again, tracing the curve of his smile. "I needed to feel it."
"Feel what?"
"Your joy."
His eyes searched hers for only a moment before he yanked her toward him, crashing their lips together with the power of the waves trying to pull them apart.
This time, Charlotte didn't hesitate to take everything he had to give. The water moved around them, forever changing, forever churning, just like the feelings inside her.
She didn't know what to make of the boy attached to her lips, but maybe she didn't need to. Sinking into the moment, she kissed him back with everything she had, letting go of all her doubts, for just a moment. Warmth rushed through her, pushing away the chill of the air hitting her wet skin.
A single kiss couldn't turn the nos to yesses, but for one day, it could give her hope.
She wound her arms around Jesse's neck, not wanting to let this moment pass them by. Her mouth opened, letting him deepen the connection between them.
A connection they both knew couldn't last, wouldn't last.
Energy zipped along her skin, following the touch of his fingers, and warming her icy limbs. Their feet warred in the sandy bottom, holding them steady in the tumultuous sea.
After what seemed like an eternity, Jesse pulled back, resting his forehead against hers. Their breath mingled as they both caught their bearings.
"Jesse." Charlotte closed her eyes to keep the tears from falling.
"Don't tell me we can't. Not now. Please." He kissed her again, this time with more sweetness than she thought a single person could possess.
He kissed her like it could be the last time, and he wanted to savor every second, every breath.
A wave crashed over them, breaking them apart. Maybe it was a metaphor. Or maybe just bad timing. But it brought Charlotte back to her senses. She turned and marched from the water.
Jesse chased after her. "Charlie." He reached for her hand, but she pulled it away as she whirled to face him.
"Friends don't kiss like that." Nor did people who'd been forbidden to see each other.
Wet hair hung in her eyes, and she cursed herself for having Hadley cut it. What a stupid decision. Shorter hair didn't make her a new person. It didn't give her the courage to go after what she wanted.
And what did she want?
Figure skating.
And hockey.
Jesse.
