Good to know. “Okay.”
I didn’t move. “I don’t know what...to do.”
His eyes met mine and then he moved his hand, curling his fingers around the nape of my neck. “I’ll show you.”
My heart jumped and I nodded.
With the slightest pressure, he guided me down. Our lips touched, and sparks ignited in my veins. He slowly moved his lips against mine, and I mimicked the act.
After a few moments I realized that if I tilted my head to the side, the pressure increased, and I liked that, really liked it. Rider seemed to like that, too, because his fingers tightened against my skin. Shifting my upper body closer to his, I reached out to steady myself, placing my hand on his chest.
His lips parted under mine and I felt the tip of his tongue. Blood pounded through me in a heady manner, and as our tongues touched, I was drenched in feeling, in sensation. The kiss changed, and he tasted like soda and something good, something I couldn’t name, but knew I wanted more of.
I don’t know how long we kissed like that. Seconds? Minutes? When we finally stopped, my skin felt flushed and muscles low in my stomach were clenched tight.
Goodness.
I blinked open my eyes. What I was feeling, the dizzying warmth in my muscles and the sweet pulsing in certain areas of my body? It was exhilarating and frightening. It was beautiful and messy.
Rider exhaled softly. I settled my cheek back on his shoulder. His chest rose and fell heavily, as if he’d exerted himself. My chest moved the same. We lay in silence again, our hands joined, resting on his stomach.
“Yeah.” He cleared his throat. “You want to do that anytime? You just go right ahead.”
Closing my eyes, I giggled. I might do just that, I thought.
We lay there for a while, and when it grew close to when it was time for me to head home, Rider tapped my hip. I grabbed my bag and before I left his bedroom, I took one last look at The Velveteen Rabbit.
My heart got all gooey.
“I can ride with you,” he said once we were downstairs. “Catch the—”
“That’s not necessary.” Sweet of him to offer, but that was majorly going out of his way. I held out my hand for the keys. “I know my way back.”
One side of his lips quirked. “I know.”
I stared at him as he dropped my keys in my palm. Then he lowered his head, kissing me softly and far too quickly.
“Walk you to your car?” he offered.
I nodded, and we both headed into the living room just as the front door of the house opened. An older woman walked in, a blue lunch bag in one arm and a black tote dangling from her wrist. Her black hair was liberally sprinkled with gray and pulled back in a low ponytail. I guessed this was Mrs. Luna, but she didn’t appear to be that old. I stilled as the door swung shut behind her and she turned in our direction.
She came to a complete stop, her dark eyes widening. A prickly sensation crawled over me as her gaze moved from me to Rider.
“Hey, Mrs. Luna.” Rider stepped forward, slightly in front of me. “This is Mallory. She stopped over after school.”
Mrs. Luna blinked once and then twice. “Mallory?” she repeated. The bright gaze zeroed in on me. “This is Mallory.”
Oh my God.
“Yeah, this is her,” he answered.
“Oh.” The woman shook her head and then stepped into the living room. “It’s a pleasure to meet you. I didn’t know you were coming over. I would’ve made sure I got here earlier.” The skin crinkled around her eyes as she narrowed them at Rider. “This young man should’ve told me. I could’ve made my—”
“You don’t have to make anything,” Rider replied. “Mallory has to head home anyway.”
Mrs. Luna walked over to drop the tote onto the recliner. She glanced at Rider as I stared at her. Words darted around, and I grasped at them. They slipped through my fingers as the silence stretched out between us.
She shrugged off a light jacket, draping it over the back of the chair. “Well, I hope I see you again. For dinner next time. I am famous for my arroz con gandules.” Her smile was warm. “You’ll love it.”
“It’s basically ham, yellow rice and pigeon peas,” Rider explained with a grin. “It’s really good.”
I nodded.
“And you’ll see her again.” Rider nudged my shoulder. “Right?”
I nodded once more.
Rider placed his hand on my lower back. “Well, Mallory needs to get going...”
My cheeks burned and irritation rose swiftly, swirling inside me. This time it had a different effect. It forced words out. “It’s nice...to meet you.” My face burned even hotter, because I tripped all over the words, but I spoke them.