I kiss her sweater-covered collarbone.
“Sternocleidomastoid.”
I pause, a grin forming on my face. Leaning forward, I let my lips brush against the side of her neck. “That’s not even a bone, Finch,” I rasp against her skin, pressing an open-mouthed kiss there anyway.
She takes in a sharp breath, her hand landing on my knee.
“Jaw.”
I skim my lips upward, lightly nipping at her jawbone, seeing where she’s going with this.
“Auricular lobe.”
Moving my lips higher, I lightly flick my tongue over the skin just under her ear before kissing her earlobe.
She shudders, her voice coming out shaky. “Buccal.”
Slowly, torturously, I skim my lips to her soft cheek, placing a soft kiss there. “Where next, Finch?”
She pulls back an inch, those brown eyes locking on mine, hazed over. Her eyes drift down to my lips for a brief moment, then she looks at me with uncertainty and fascination.
“Say it, Finch,” I urge her softly, desperately.
I lean in until the tips of our noses are touching, our lips inches apart. I lean in farther, lingering until our lips almost brush against each other, teasing.
“Say it,” I whisper, wanting her to be the one to willingly seal the gap between us.
She takes in a jagged breath, and instead of using her words, she tilts her head to the side and leans in to press her unbelievably soft lips to mine.
That’s it. I’m done for. Every inch of me feels like I’m on fire.
I take her face in my hands, deepening the kiss, being mindful to be gentle with her. But, damn, is it hard not to fall all in. To kiss the absolute sense out of her. Devour her. But instead I take it slow, savoring the feeling of her lips on mine. Because I’ll be damned if I scare her off too quickly.
This isn’t like any other kiss I’ve had before, and Olivia is definitely not like any other girl I’ve kissed before.
Before I get too carried away, I slow the pace, pecking her lips before pulling away, smiling.
Opening my eyes, I watch her beautiful ones flutter open, her lips twitching up as her cheeks turn an adorable shade of pink.
“Finally,” I sigh, resting my forehead against hers.
Twenty-eight
Trust Me
I walk into the science building feeling like I’m floating on air, smiling cheek to cheek. Everyone who walks past me must sense my good mood—during the week before finals, of all times—and gives me long, sideways glances.
When I enter the lecture hall, my eyes automatically land on Olivia’s face. Her attention is focused on Delilah, but it only takes her a few moments to sense my gaze, her eyes finding mine.
She smiles shyly, blushing adorably.
The grin on my face widens.
Taking the stairs two at a time, I jog up to our row and stand beside her. She tilts her head back to look up at me, the long, smooth lines of her neck on full display. Her eyes lock on mine, a hint of questioning and longing set deep within them.
Gladly, without hesitation, I lean down and plant my lips on hers in a short but meaningful kiss. When I pull away, she’s blushing madly, the smile on her face matching mine.
“Hi,” I whisper, pecking her lips once more before shrugging off my backpack and taking my seat. “What are you blushing for?” I tease, resting my hand on her thigh.
