Kiss and Break Up (Magnolia Cove, #1)(18)

“You do?”

His teeth grazed his lip. “Yeah, so I needed to make sure she knew we were done. Which meant fighting some more, and all that fun this is a real breakup stuff.”

I wouldn’t know, but I didn’t want or need to say that.

A warm smile nudged his lips. “Can I show you something?”

“Sure.”

He studied me a moment, and I sat enraptured by the curl of his lashes and the specks of gold in his eyes. “Come on, let’s get out of here.”

He paid the bill, left a tip, and led me by the hand outside to the parking lot.

Opening my door, I went to climb up when I felt his hands land on my waist, and then I was in the air before my butt hit the seat with a puff.

I laughed, dazed as I tried to right my dress and keep the color of my panties a secret.

My laughter died when he carefully moved me to face where he was still standing in the door, and I saw the intent in his eyes a half second before he tipped my face up. “Is this what you wanted to show me?”

A nod, then his mouth descended. His lips were warm and tasted like barbecue sauce. I let him lead, feeling lightheaded as he pressed harder, hungrier, and pried my lips apart.

His tongue didn’t move in gentle, calculated, swipes or pokes. No, it delved deep, forcing my eyes open as I gasped and pulled back.

“You okay?” he asked.

“Yeah.” Heat crept up my neck, making a beeline for my cheeks. With the moment ruined, I dropped my head, defeated by the truth. “I haven’t exactly kissed a lot of people.”

“I know.”

My head shot up, brows puckering and my eyes searching.

“It’s not a bad thing.” His finger swept across my cheek. “You’re gorgeous, but when you blush, you’re damn near irresistible.”

I smiled, even as my cheeks reddened further. He was real. As real as the blood rushing faster through my veins.

This was happening.

After flashing a quick grin, he fused his mouth to mine for a brief, gentle touch.

His hand stayed in mine the whole ride home, but this time, the silence wasn’t awkward. It was a comfortable silence, and as I gazed out the window to the blurring summer colors of the cove, I couldn’t rid my smile if I tried.

We exchanged numbers before I got out, and I made it to the porch before my smile wilted.

Dash opened the front door right as Byron was pulling away, his truck grumbling down the quiet street.





Dash



“So what did he do, fine dine you with food you hate?” I leaned against the doorjamb, assessing the Barbie who’d taken over my best friend’s body.

What the fuck was that dress? Yeah, it looked great on her, hugging curves I didn’t even realize she’d had, but it wasn’t her.

“Move,” she said, tone crisp, and some juicy scented perfume permeating the air between us.

She wouldn’t look at me. In fact, her entire body seemed tense, coiled tight and ready to spring, but I didn’t give a fuck. “You didn’t answer my question.”

“And I’m not going to.” Her eyes met mine then, ice crystallizing the gray orbs. “Move.”

She was mad. At me. What the hell did Woods do that’d caused her to be upset with me?

“Did he touch you or something?”

Her long lashes, coated in a thick layer of mascara, butted against her brows. Then she shoulder checked me, pushing past to get inside.

She tried to shut the door, but I was in the way, and I wasn’t moving. “The fuck, Freckles?”

The screen door smacked shut behind me, and Peony looked up from the couch as Peggy breezed down the hall to her room.

“Did you have a good time?”

The slamming of Peggy’s bedroom door was her answer.

Peony looked at me, eyes narrowed, and I tipped my shoulders. “Don’t look at me. I just got here.” That wasn’t exactly true, and we both knew it. I’d been in her room for the better part of an hour, staring at the hairspray, clothes littering the bed, and the empty space on it where she should’ve been on a Friday night.

“She’d put a lot of stock into this date.” With her head shaking, she gave her attention back to the TV. “Fix it, Dash.”

Stock? I almost scoffed but gathered an ounce of self-control and went to Peggy’s room.

The door was locked, and I knocked, incredulity spiking my blood pressure. “Peggy, did you seriously lock me out?”

No answer.

I knocked harder. “Let me in or I’ll pick the lock.”

Three seconds passed before I sighed and fished out my keys, then the door opened. “Go home, Dashiell.”

“Dashiell?” I couldn’t remember the last time she’d called me by my full name. A name she knew I loathed. I stepped forward, uncaring that she wouldn’t move, and tried to read her flushed, tense expression. “What happened?” I tried to soften my voice. Tried. I should’ve gotten a damn merit award for effort considering the storm rising within me. It didn’t work.

“You happened.” She stepped back, and I walked into her room as she went to shut the door. “You warned the guys at school off me?”

“Warned them off you?” I reared back, trying to play dumb, but she saw right through it.