Page 11 of Harvest Moon (Riverbend 3)

She studied him in the waning light. They were closer than she’d realized. Dusk had darkened his eyes to stormy blue, and the twinkle lights highlighted his cheekbones, carving shadows beneath them.

No boy had the right to look that handsome. She was suddenly aware that his leg rested against hers and that their arms touched on the tabletop.

He lifted an impertinent eyebrow. “So you want to work together?”

“Of course I don’twantto work together.”

“But Mr.Foster wouldn’t let you switch.”

“He doesn’t like me.”Drat.She as much as admitted she’d asked. She clamped her mouth shut.

His lips twitched.

“Fine, I asked him. But you didn’t want to work with me either.”

“I never said that.”

Laurel snorted. “You didn’t have to. I know you hate me.”

That brow again. Amusement flickered in his eyes.

Frustration crackled inside, building up until it released. The way he singled her out and somehow ignored her at the same time. The scowly looks. The condescension. She’d had enough. “What did I ever do to you anyway, Gavin Robinson? Just because I challenge your spot at the head of the class doesn’t mean you have to be mean. You never even—”

And then his lips were on hers.

The shock of it made her freeze for what seemed like an interminable moment. Then her lips responded. They began moving against his long before her brain shifted into gear.

He’s kissing me.

Gavin Robinson is kissing me.

Hedoesn’thate me.

Bethany was right.

Stop thinking!

Laurel melted into the kiss because how could she not? His mouth was soft and coaxing and so, so sexy, moving against hers like he wanted to thoroughly taste her. The kiss was confident and somehow reverent too. She wanted to curl up in his arms and purr.

She wasn’t a complete novice; she’d been kissed a time or two.

But have you really?

She’d certainly never experienced anything like this. Not even close. Her chest squeezed so tight she could hardly breathe, and her heart seemed to have melted into a warm, oozing puddle.

When he pulled away she practically fell into his lap. Faceheating, she opened her eyes. She couldn’t tear her gaze from that beautiful face.

Gavin had kissed her. In the space of a few seconds, he’d turned her whole world upside down. He was inches away, his breath falling over her lips, giving her that familiar dark scowl.

Only...

It didn’t seem quite so dark just now. And maybe it wasn’t a scowl at all.

Then his lips tipped up just a tiny bit at the corner.

Oh.

Chapter5

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