I Know Lucy (A Fugitive #1)(41)

My eyes dropped away from Dani’s sweet gaze. I reached for the last wheel and started dislodging wedges. “I’m not around this weekend.”

“Where are you off to?” Jaeda flicked my elbow.

I didn’t have the guts to face Dani as I said it, so kept my eyes focused on the plastic game pieces. “Uncle Alex invited me to hang out tomorrow.”

“Oh, I love him. He’s so hot.” Jaeda squeezed my arm. “Can I come?”

“Firstly, that’s gross, and secondly, no. It’s just a guy thing.”

She slumped back with an exasperated sigh. “Okay, fine.” Her cute little nose wrinkled. I nudged her ankle with my foot and winked at her. Her huff vanished. “Well, I might just hang out with your girlfriend instead then.” She turned to look at Dani, oblivious to the fact that the air had been sucked from the room.

Dani’s cheeks flushed pink. I glanced away to spot Liesl’s bemused grin. I didn’t want to look at Elliot. He’d be seething. Me getting another girlfriend he’d have to rescue me from? He would not be impressed.

“You and me are hanging out Sunday, remember?” Elliot nudged my elbow. “Halo 2 rematch.”

“That’s right.” I nodded, hating that I’d agreed to that. Hanging out with Elliot was so not what I needed right now. If anyone could make me spill the beans, it was him.

I chose to pack away the game as slowly as possible, while the girls talked weekend logistics and I tried to figure out how I could get out of my Sunday plans with Elliot. My tired brain couldn’t think of anything. I’d just have to play it cool and keep my mouth shut.

Containing my yawn as I slid the Trivial Pursuit box lid on was impossible. It was only ten, but I was done. I needed to catch some zzzzs before tomorrow. I doubted I’d sleep much, but at least I’d be horizontal.

“I’m out. I’ll see you guys on Monday.”

“Me too.” Dani jumped from her seat. “Thanks so much for having me, guys.” She smiled. “I guess I’ll see you girls tomorrow then.” She looked nervous saying it, like she wasn’t really sure if she did want to hang out with my friends, but she was doing it anyway. For me? Or for other reasons I didn’t want to consider?

We said our goodbyes and walked to the door together. I couldn’t say anything. I was nervous she’d ask me more about my uncle or San Fran. Would she suspect what I was up to?

“Are you alright?” Dani’s nose wrinkled as we stepped out the front door.

“Yeah, I’m fine.” I kept my gaze down as I pulled the door shut.

“You don’t seem fine.” She sounded nervous. “Have I done something wrong?”

I was stumped for a minute. What the hell was I supposed to say to her?

“Nope.” I gave her a tight smile that said otherwise.

The light in her eyes dimmed, her expression faltering as she took a step away from me, down the driveway, ready to walk home to who knows where. I tried not to let it rile me.

The air between us grew thick and suffocating. My hands were shoved in my pockets. I wanted to pull them free and reach for her, but I didn’t. She stood a few paces away from me, looking awkward and shy. She was waiting for me to ask. I knew she was, but I couldn’t form the words. I didn’t want to play her games anymore.

Finally she sighed. “Okay, well I’ll see you on Monday then, I guess.”

Her non-smiling wave nearly killed me. Before I could stop myself, I caught up with her retreating form and grabbed her wrist. Screw the games, I’d keep playing them if it meant wiping that forlorn look off her face.

“Wait.” Spinning her around, I pulled her towards me, holding her tight to my side. “Can I give you a ride home?” My soft question was laced with humor.

A relieved grin spread across her face. “Nope.”

I gently touched her cheek, my thumb caressing her jawbone. “Well, I guess I’ll just have to kiss you goodnight here instead.”

“I guess you will,” she whispered, running her fingers into my hair and leaning towards me. Our lips met for a warm embrace that was mostly tender, but tinged with a hungry desire that couldn’t be denied. She wanted me, I could feel it in the way her lips moved, in the opening of her mouth and the willingness to let me in. I pulled her close, running my hand up her spine and cradling the back of her head. My tongue darted into her mouth, tasting her sweetness. She was divine. Her body against me felt right, my senses reeling in my exploration.

I could have stayed there all night, forgetting the world and who this girl might be. Her touch made me lose all sense of time and place. The truth didn’t matter when her tongue was grazing my bottom lip and her fingers were dancing through my hair. She tried to pull away twice, but kept diving back towards my mouth before she finally managed to separate herself from me. Her blue eyes were on fire, her narrow lips puffy and beautiful.

I looked into her ignited gaze, my resolve to find out who she was faltering within me. I didn’t want to know, until her face flushed with realization. Her eyes suddenly went skittish as she touched her lower lip like she’d just done something she knew she shouldn’t have. She swallowed back the emotion, but then caught my eye and I saw it again, that starry-eyed euphoria. Yep, she definitely wanted me, she just didn’t think she was allowed me.

I had to find out why.