Page 31 of Brand
I clamped my mouth shut. I so did not mean to say any of those things, especially notallof them. But there they were, hanging in the air, showing exactly how crazy I was.
“Thoughts?” he asked and as he bit the inside of his cheek, and if I wasn’t mistaken, I could see a little color creeping its way up his neck.
“Um, no. Just forget I said anything.” I moved to stand. We were close enough to being done with the cleaning that I was going to call it good enough. It was time for me to go. I needed some air and a whole lot of space between me and this guy that I’d had a huge crush on that I just found out isn’t in a relationship—or gay!
My head was spinning, to say the least.
“Cami,” he said. And I hated how he said my name. I hated how it sounded like a sweet whisper in my ears. I hated the way his eyes softened as it passed his lips.
Had it always been like that? Did he always get that look? Or was I just being crazy? Maybe it was like some sort of pity plea. Yes, I could completely see that. Like ‘oh this girl has a crush on me and I don’t know how to tell her that I’m not into whatever kind of mess she has going on there.’
I shuffled back, my feet refusing to lift up and carry me far, far away. In doing so, I tripped over the cleaning supplies. I felt myself going down and my eyes pinched closed so tight I could feel my nose scrunch up. Then I wasn’t moving backward, no, I was plastered to a hard chest with strong arms wrapped around me. I could feel his heart beating wildly in his chest against my cheek.
“Look at me,” he said and I kept my eyes closed as I shook my head back and forth frantically. He didn’t release me but I couldn’t open my eyes. I could admit that I was way beyond embarrassed right then and I wished the floor would open up and swallow me whole. “Breathe and look at me, please.”
Had I been holding my breath?
I answered my own question when my lungs started to burn and my mouth fell open as a huge gasp came from what felt like my toes. The cool air of the shop rushed into my deprived lungs and I blamed the lack of oxygen on the wooziness I felt in my head.
Slowly, so slowly, my eyes moved up his shirt, the gray, cotton fabric not only looked soft, it felt that way too. I knew this because my hands were awkwardly gripping onto his sides. Why was I focusing on his stupid shirt, I had no clue. A cute, smart, funny guy was all but begging me to look at him and I was taking my sweet time to honor his request.
My eyes followed the lines of his silver necklace that never could make up its mind if it wanted to be tucked under his shirt or waving hello to everyone around. Currently, it was tucked away but part of it was visible around the back of his neck. Then I followed the line of his strong neck. How could a neck seem strong? It was the way it held up his head with pride and the corded muscles that bulged and strained with each emotion.
I realized I sounded a bit creepy and maybe a little mental. It wasn’t like I’d spent so much time studying him, though I had to admit I had. It was more that I was familiar and curious about the human form. And let me tell you, his form was perfect.
My eyes roamed over his perfect, stubble-free chin and full lips that I’d stared at and thought about more times than I should ever admit. Finally, I met his eyes, my heart pounding so hard I thought it was going to beat out of my chest.
His brown eyes were more like dark chocolate than milk. His pupils blown wide-out and I couldn’t stop my body from shaking.
“Oh, fuck,” he breathed out and it was like he had read my mind.
His hand moved to cup my face and my hands fisted that soft, gray shirt.
His lips were on mine, gentle and testing at first, but the moment I closed my eyes and opened up for him, he took it all.
Passion. Something I’d never experienced outside of my art. My whole body felt it right now. I was aware of everything. My lips. My tongue. The blood rushing through my veins. The fine hairs on my body that were now standing on end. My heart.
My.
Fucking.
Soul.
The only thing I couldn’t seem to get a grip on was my brain, because right then, it was a blank mess.
The kiss felt like it went on forever but wasn’t long enough at the same time. I didn’t want it to end. I held onto him like my life depended on it and he kissed me like he never wanted to kiss anyone again.
“Shit, Cami.” His breath fanned across my lips, but I didn’t dare open my eyes.
I only prayed that he felt it too. The intensity and magic. The feeling that this had to be. That we were two planes destined to crash into one another. I only hoped we wouldn’t go down in a fiery death.
“I’ve been wanting to do that for a—”
Crash.
What the cheese balls was that?
Before my brain could fully flip the switch back to its on position, a loud succession of popping noise rang through the air. Brand’s body was suddenly covering mine as I hit the hard floor with a thump, causing all the air to be forced out of my lungs.
