Awaken the Soul (Havenwood Falls High)(18)

“You’re not riding home with Zara?” asks Scarlet.

Vivienne hesitates, her steps slowing as mine quicken. Spinning her back to me, she answers, “No. I’m . . . um, I’ve got another ride today.”

I catch the confused look on their faces. Vivienne rides with Zara every day. We don’t have to be friends for me to know this. It’s a small school, a small town. Everyone knows. The same way everyone knows Zara drops her off, then heads to Napoli’s, where she does her homework, eats, then works the dinner shift until ten.

Gazes shift between Vivienne and me. “With who?”

“Me,” I answer for her.

Vivienne twirls, finding me standing in front of her. I don’t watch her friends, but I imagine their faces are about as stunned as Vivienne’s.

“Hey,” she says breathlessly, her lips curving into a deliciously shy smile.

“Hey, yourself.” I draw her backpack from her shoulder and swing it onto mine. “You ready?”

Her face flushes as I slip her hand into mine.

“They’re staring, aren’t they?” Vivienne asks when I look back.

“They’re not the only ones.” Half the departing students track us by the time I open the passenger door.

Vivienne’s hand goes to her hair, twirling again as she tugs the other from my grip. “Great. What are we going to tell people?”

I toy with the zipper on her jacket, my need to be close growing by the second. “Tell them we’re going out.”

Vivienne’s head falls back, her shout of laughter taking me by surprise. Inside, my soul growls, ordering my hand to take hers again. It’s damn needy today.

She makes a face. “Like they’ll believe that.”

She’s right, though not because people wouldn’t believe I’m attracted to her. She’s beyond beautiful. She has plenty of admirers, but I’ve never been on that list. I’ve never been one to single out any girl. I go to parties, hang out, and flirt, but holding hands and making a public declaration? I’ve never done that.

My fingers curl around her wrist, pulling her hand from her hair and using it to draw her closer. Her lips part, and I take advantage, capturing them in a quick kiss.

“Now they will,” I say as I pull away. I look around. Sure enough, we’ve made a scene.

“No,” Vivienne whispers as her fingers take my chin and bring my attention back. She slides her hand down around my neck, applying pressure and drawing me to her mouth. “Let’s be sure they get the picture.”

Her words awaken the need I have for her. Her scent—the deeper underlying scent of her soul—fills my head, and I’m drunk on her. She tempts my human soul and fires up the angel within. She wants me as much as I want her. Whatever this is between us, it is not one-sided. We’re so connected, I meet her lips move for move. She shifts right; I shift left. She sucks my bottom lip; I tighten my grip and bite hers. We’re lost in each other, in the middle of the school parking lot.

“I think that’ll do it.” I chuckle at the gawkers pointing and whispering, when we manage to separate. Vivienne releases a giggle in her throat and heaven help me, my desire builds again. Swallowing hard, I move from the open car door. “Let’s go to my house.”

With an apologetic grin on her face, she waves to her friends as I close her door. Once I’m in the vehicle and buckled, I turn in my seat. “I’m sorry if that was out of line.”

Vivienne’s face scrunches. “Kissing me?”

“Yeah. In front of your friends and all. I couldn’t help myself.”

She bites her lip, her eyes flicking to her lap. “I know the feeling. The moment I spotted you, I had this ridiculous desire to run across the parking lot. Is there something about your angelic heritage that lures women in?”

My hand slides across the seat and finds hers. “Have I lured you in?”

“That would be crazy, right? I can’t be falling for you, Breck, I know nothing about you.”

“You know the most important thing about me,” I counter, interlacing our fingers.

She scowls, although it’s ruined by the smirk that follows immediately after. “I meant, the things couples share when they’re falling in love. Your favorite foods, movies, music. The normal things.”

It’s my turn to scowl. I shake free from her hand and start the car. “Right. ’Cause being part angel is definitely not normal.”

Shifting into gear, I grip the steering wheel as an odd mix of emotions flows through me. She isn’t rejecting me. She kissed the hell out of me two minutes ago, for everyone to see. So why am I let down by her comments on love? Why the hell am I acting like a girl? Get your crap together, Breckin.

“No,” she says after a long moment of silence. “Being angel is not normal, but neither is falling for one.”

“But, you just said—”

“I’m falling for you, Breck. It’s not reasonable, and it makes no sense, but I know it like I know my own name. I know it here.” She taps her chest.

Her soul.

With my foot firmly on the brake, I lean across the cab and kiss her hard. “Vivie,” I say against her lips, my hand gripping the back of her head. “I feel it, too.”

Her hand touches my cheek as she pulls away. “That’s why the reaper wants me, isn’t it?”