ed a beat. The door clicked shut behind us, and I realized with that I was a

but as soon as I perceived h

le

was no mistaking that familiar, scent or

he said

ding so hard I was sure he could hear

I manage

my head to meet those intense brown eyes of his. He was so tall. He was eas

stepped back. He followed, closing the distance with eac

h radiating from him, or the magnetic pull that had me captivated. His scent surrounded me, filling my

t are you do

the electricity

d grin that could melt anyone's heart "D

out, to touch him, to feel his skin beneath my fingertips. Being near him felt so right, like we were two pieces of a puzzle

ed. He stared at me inten

lieve this wasn't some tric

I whispered. The words slippe

g it gently. I leaned into his touch without meaning to, and his thumb brushed gently alo

d I do that?"

sent my heart racing, leaving me breathless. I wanted more, but as his lips lingered on my skin, I had bad memories. I remembered the hurtfu

one like me. He was way out of my leagu

... I'm sorry, bu

the room. As I walked down the hallway,

-

ared to mix solutions. The other students had begun pairing up. Laughter filled the room as the

oked up. My breath caught in my throat as he scanned the room. His eyes landed o

," the teacher

ed a smile as she leaned toward him. "I

t mine "Thanks but I

me. My cheeks flushed as I tried to hide my

ored it as best as I could. Tyle

to laugh. "You don

eek "When it comes to a gor

s playfully "Yo

u smile, didn'

e solutions. I tried to focus on the task, but every time I l

d as I measured out a solution. "

kled, shaking my head.

right pink, we high-fived, laughing together. I felt Stephan

ur things, Tyler leaned over. "Wh

eplied. I was surprised by how much

say more, Step

I'm having a party this

me "Have you in

rine? No way. I don't need losers

th embarrassment. I wanted to disappear, to shrink out of

, avoiding his ga

uld leave, he g

like that?" he asked Stephani

You'll see, Tyler. I

iumphant look be

. His face was fil

erine

u tomorrow,"

re he could say anything else, I pulled