Page 11 of Hers to Kiss
She held out her hand. “Hi! I’m Lea.” She mimicked the girl’s over-the-top, sugary voice.
Pete let out an exasperated sigh and took her hand, giving it a firm shake. “Do you have to do that?”
Keke snatched her hand back, it going to her hip. “That’s thefirstthing you would say?”
Pete cleared his throat and rolled his shoulders. “Sorry. Can we go again?”
Keke about-faced back to her starting position and walked across the room again. This time, Pete’s blush didn’t come in so dark, and his eyes held half the amount of fear.Better.
He gripped her hand. “Hi. I’m Peter.”
Keke shook his hand with a grin. “Nice. Your voice didn’t shake, nor did it squeak.”
This time, he snatched his hand away. “I’m not a kid anymore.”
Got that right. “No, but you still act like one.”
He narrowed his dark eyes at her and took a step forward. “Have we met?”
Keke’s breath caught at the intensity in his gaze. “What?”
Pete flashed an impressive smile. “You must be new here. Welcome to Headley Campground. If you need anything, let me know.”
Keke blinked, still blinded by his megawatt smile. When did he develop that? She finally understood what he was doing. “I am new. I think I got it covered. It’s summer camp. You lead kids around, tell ghost stories around the campfire, eat s’mores, right?”
“I love s’mores. I like it when the marshmallow is burnt. Has that nice, crispy layer to it, and it just oozes out and runs down your chin.” His index finger peaked over the curve of his bottom lip and dragged down his chin.
Keke’s heart thundered in her ears. She held up her hand. “Okay, okay. What are you trying to do?” She had to stop the onslaught of heat creeping up her own neck.
Pete shrugged. “What? You said talk to her—”
“Right. Talk to her. Not impregnate her with your words.”
His brows meshed. “I don’t get it.”
Keke stared at him for a moment. Innocence clear as day in his eyes. He had no idea the effect of his presence—when used to his advantage. She started again. “It’s too soon.”
“Too soon for what?”
“To get her hot and bothered over gooey marshmallows that run down your chin,” she said sarcastically. “You’re coming ontoostrong. Save that for the kissing.”
His Adam’s apple bobbed. “Kissing…”
“Pleasetell me you’ve at least kissed a girl.”
He looked away.
“Not even once?”
He bit his bottom lip, his eyes apologetic.
Keke’s eyes rounded. “In all of high school?”
“No! Okay?” He slapped her side with a pillow and then tossed it at the head of the bed. “Stop teasing me.”
Keke chortled. “You can’t deny me that, Petey. Thatjustwouldn’t be fair.”
He groaned. Frustration marred his face in the red streaks across his cheeks. “How was I supposed to kiss a girl if I couldn’t even get my name out of my mouth?”
