Emerge (Evolve Series #1)(11)

The next thing I know, I’m being woken up to the light and my dad telling Evan his parents probably want him home.

“Sorry, Mr. Walker, we fell asleep watching the movie.” His sleepy voice is yummy.

“I know, bud, I just don’t want your parents to worry. Laney, go get in your bed, kiddo.”

“Yeah, Dad, let me just walk him out.”

At the door, Evan leans in to give me a hug and sweet kiss on my cheek as we say our goodnight. There’s no way he could have

missed my shiver.

Just as my eyes are closing, I get a text.

Evan: I had a great time tonight, another best

Laney: Really? We’ve done movie night for years Babe

Babe? Yup, I’m leaving it—send.

Evan: But not with me up against your body, holding u, falling asleep with u

Long delay as I talk myself out of talking myself out of it. I am 18 and it’s Evan. I’m finally getting a glimpse of being a

girl, noticing a boy, and the bravery it suddenly instills in me.

Laney: Can you sneak back out?

Evan: Yes. Why?

Laney: I want to fall asleep with you again.

Evan: Now?

Laney: Now.

Four minutes exactly until his gorgeous face appears at my window.

“Did you lock your door?” he whispers as he’s finally through the window and inside my room. “I don’t want your dad to kill

me!”

“Yes, and I set my phone alarm for seven. You’re safe.”

“We haven’t done this since we were like what, thirteen?”

“I loved that cat, Evan! I couldn’t possibly have slept alone the night he died!”

“I know, angel, totally understandable.”

I hope he doesn’t think he hid that patronizing smirk. Truth is, he’d made that night bearable and risked getting in a ton of

trouble to comfort me, so I’d finally reward him...right about now seems good.

I scoot to the side of the bed, and in my best seductress move, pull him to me by his belt loop. His gaze never leaves mine; we

speak without words. My heart is slamming against the walls of my chest as I run my hands up his chest. He lets me raise his shirt

above his head and toss it to the floor. God, he’s amazing. His pecs are so well-defined and his abs are lined in a perfect six

pack that v down into his waistband.

There’s no way this is the same body he’s been bringing to family picnics and swims all these years! I mean really, how bad was

this damn fog I’d been living in? The thought of running my hands, mouth, and tongue all over him doesn’t quite shock me this

time. I get more comfortable with my reactions to him every day, but I’m still nervous as hell right now. You’re probably

supposed to ease yourself from foggy tomboy hermit to jezebel, but I’m ignoring that inner voice right now.

I start to unbuckle his belt, stopping to look up at him and make sure this is okay. He nods slightly and runs a hand down my face.

I slide it through the loops, adding it to his shirt. My hands are trembling as his hand joins mine to guide me as I unbutton his

pants and pull down his zipper.

The air hisses between his teeth and I feel his body tense, but he helps me move his jeans to the floor, our gazes still locked as

he steps out of them. He is now standing before me, lit only by the moonlight through my window, in just his navy boxer briefs. I

can clearly see the effect this is having on him, and I have to force myself to hold his gaze rather than let my eyes wander.

I really hope he doesn’t think less of me right now, but I can’t seem to help myself. He’s awakened something in me and I feel a

little forward, but yeah...not quite seeing disapproval in his eyes, more the exact opposite, so I’m thinking we’re good.

I lay down, folding back the covers, and say, “hold me, Evan.”

He gently slips under the covers with me, sliding up against my back. I lift my head up and pull up my hair, so he can slip one arm

under. The other arm goes around my waist and pulls me tighter against him. I don’t even try to stifle my satisfied sigh and I

feel him twitch against me in response.

“Night, Evan.” My voice comes out shaky. He kisses my hair. “Night, my Laney.”





Chapter Six


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AMAZED

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Laney

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Prom night is finally here and it’s one of those moments it’d be nice to have my mom. My dad is amazing, the best man I know, and

I’m sure he’ll cry at my wedding if I ever have one, but what I wouldn’t give to have her helping me right now.

I wonder where she is at this exact moment? Did she think of events like this that she’d miss before making her departure? I’d

feel better knowing she overlooked some things instead of simply not caring. Shaking the thoughts and threatening tears away, I go

to assess myself in the full-length mirror. Apparently we have one of those handy.

Upon initial review, I’m actually quite pleased. I clean up nice. I’ve chosen a light blue gown, just like I told Evan I would.