Kiss of Fire (Imdalind, #1)(31)

“You’re beautiful.” His hands trailed down my arms, their warmth leaving a trail of goosebumps behind them. He intertwined his fingers with mine for a brief second before leaning down, his lips brushing against my hair. “Your eyes, they are just like diamonds.”

I shivered at his whisper, his voice lingering in my ear. He squeezed my hand before dragging me off to the kitchen where my mom sat, still in her robe. At the sight of me, she dropped her doughnut. Her face screamed pure joy; it almost felt like she was sending me off to my first day of kindergarten.

“Oh, Joclyn, it’s beautiful.” She cupped my face with her rough kitchen hands. She was crying, and I felt like crying, too. I had given her what she wanted, her dream. If only for three days, I was giving her that beautiful, little girl she had always wanted. Deep down inside, I knew I wanted to be that, too.





Nine


I didn’t want to get out of the car. Who would? It was nice and warm, and the leather of the seats, soft and cozy. Ryland had turned the radio down low and he had his hand on my knee, thumb caressing me in a comfortable way. I scowled at the large red school in front of us.

“Maybe I didn’t think this through enough,” I said.

“What do you think they will do; more than just notice you, I mean?”

I turned to glare at him. I wasn’t in the mood to go over my fight with Cynthia just yet. His hand moved from my knee to trail up the pale skin of my arms, leaving another row of goosebumps behind.

“That would be enough to ruin my day.” I tried to laugh, but it didn’t come out right; my panic made it sound more maniacal than I had intended.

“Honestly, Jos, did you think I would feed you to the wolves?” His eyes sparkled as he reached behind my seat for a large wad of fabric.

I recognized the fabric as a hoodie, and I couldn’t help the smile that spread over my face. I untangled the mass of fabric to reveal a bright blue jacket with a small stamp of Whittier Prep’s crest on the chest.

Ryland shifted in his seat and began to help me pull the sweat shirt over my head, careful not to let it run against my sleek braid. As it moved over me, I caught the strong, pleasurable smell that was so Ryland; grass from endless hours on the Rugby field and some sort of heavy smoke, not like the smoke of a drug user, but that heavy wooden smell like a million bonfires or fireworks.

“Thanks, Ry.” I looked up at him and gave him my biggest, goofiest grin; all the while chanting in my head. Only friends, only friends…

“Anything for you, sweetheart.”

Only friends, only friends…

His hand moved up to cup my face, his thumb trailing along my jaw and I froze, my mind went blank. It was only when he began to move closer that my brain went into overdrive.

“I’ve got to go.” It took all my strength to pull my face away from his touch and move out of the warm comforting interior of his Lotus. My heart screamed at me as I pried myself away, desperate to get back to him. I closed the door behind me and leaned against it longer than would have been natural until I heard his dark chuckle from inside the car. I jumped at the sound and moved away, speed-walking toward the school.

“Hey, Jos.”

I turned to his voice, his body leaning over the passenger seat and out the window so he could talk to me.

“Ryland.” That came out a bit stiff.

“I’ll be here to pick you up right after school.”

I nodded at him and began walking again. I only made it about two steps before he stopped me again.

“And, Joclyn, the sweater’s a gift, another piece of me, okay?” He winked at me, his blue eyes flashing. My eyes were glued to his for a minute before he tore away, speeding off in his car.

I continued toward the school, my head buzzing in an odd swarm of happy mosquitoes. Nothing made sense; Ryland had sat at my kitchen table less than a week ago explaining that the necklace didn’t mean anything, but since then, he has been trying to kiss me. Then there were all the gifts, like he was saying good-bye.

My heart thudded as I crossed the street, making a beeline to Wyn who was in a heated conversation with someone tall who stood with their back to me. I was determined to get over the weirdness so we could keep working on our friendship; after all, I would need her after Ryland left.

Wyn’s voice rose a bit, the frantic tone increasing as I moved closer to her. She was so engrossed in her conversation that she didn’t even see me step right up next to her.

“I’m not going to do that! Can you imagine how that would ruin everything? You would be making me start all over again.” I ignored her comment and looked toward the man standing across from her.

My heart seized in an uncomfortable fear. The man who had been following me around campus stood right there, his bright blue eyes burning into mine. Now that I was close to him, I couldn’t help but notice how familiar his eyes were, like I had seen them somewhere before. My mouth just hung open in a sterilized panic I couldn’t quite bat away.

“You know him?” I rounded on Wyn after my brain clicked back into place. She knew him. I mean, she stood here talking to him.

“Who?” Was she joking? He stood right here.

“Him! My Stalker.” I motioned toward him, my heart falling into my stomach to see him staring at me with an amused smile on his face.

“Hello, Joclyn.” He spoke smoothly, his voice laced with some deep, throaty accent I couldn’t place. His deep rumble vibrated through me, sending a shiver up my spine.