Daring the Bad Boy (Endless Summer)(65)

“You’re here,” I said breathlessly into the phone, at him. Him. He stood directly in front of me, wearing a black sweatshirt with the hood pulled over his head, his eyes taking me in, raking over me from head to toe. I rested a hand on my head, feeling the messy bun there, and I grimaced, ending the call between us with a press of my finger. I shoved the phone into my sweatshirt front pocket as I walked out onto the porch. “And I look terrible.”

He pocketed his phone as well and took a step closer. “Stop. You look beautiful. Shut the door, Annie.”

I did as he asked just before I was pulled into his open arms. We held each other close, my cheek pressed against his damp sweatshirt. His heart thumped wildly beneath my ear, and I breathed deep his citrusy scent. I couldn’t believe he was here, with me. Wrapped all around me like he never wanted to let go. “Why are you here?”

Jake stepped away and his hands went to my face, cradling my cheeks. “I convinced your parents to let me see you during Thanksgiving break.”

My lips fell open. “How?”

He took his advantage and kissed me, his mouth warm and soft, connecting with mine again and again. Until I parted my lips and his tongue slid against mine in the deepest, most bone-melting kiss I’ve ever experienced in my life.

“Haven’t you figured out I’ll do just about anything to be with you?” He finally said long, kissed-filled minutes later. His lips moved against mine when he spoke, and I smiled, unable to contain my happiness that he was actually here. In my arms, his mouth on mine, our gazes locked.

This was my biggest dream come true.

“I’m so glad you’re here,” I murmured before kissing him again. His hands dropped from my face to grip my hips, pulling me in, his persuasive mouth on mine pulling me under…

A very familiar someone cleared their throat and I leaped away from Jake, my gaze going to my mother standing in the open front doorway. “Hi, Jake,” she said, her tone faintly amused.

“Hi, Mrs. McFarland.” He slipped his arm around my shoulders and tugged me in close to his side. “Thank you again for helping me with my surprise.”

“You’re welcome.” Her expression shifted into serious mom mode. “You two behave yourselves, okay? Remember what I told you, Jake.” She sent him a meaningful look before she stepped inside and quietly shut the door.

I turned to look at him. “What did she tell you?”

He smiled and wrapped his arms around me, his gaze never leaving mine. “She told me I had to respect the rules of their house.” We both laughed at that. We always had to deal with the rules—and how to work around them. “No sneaking around. No closed doors. You know, parent stuff.”

“Parent stuff,” I repeated amusedly. I stood on tiptoe and kissed his jaw. “So you’re going to be on your best behavior while you’re with me?”

“Oh, yeah.” He kissed the tip of my nose. My cheek. My lips. “But what they don’t know won’t hurt them, right?”

“Are you saying you want to sneak off?” My brows shot up.

“I can’t lie that I’m hoping for some alone time with you.” His fingers drifted across my cheek, making me tremble. “Maybe I should dare you to break your parents’ rules. Though I know you’re not much of a rule breaker …”

The rain had stopped, the clouds breaking apart to let a beam of sunlight in. Just like my mood had lightened, the weather had, too. I swear my heart threatened to burst out of my chest, I was so happy.

“I’d break the rules for you,” I told him, my eyes falling shut when his mouth hovered above mine. “I have before.”

“I know,” he murmured against my lips. “My beautiful good girl.”

“My wicked bad boy,” I whispered back, the both of us laughing softly.

Until our laughter slowly dissolved into nothing but sweet, hot kisses.