Free Enchant Me by Anne Violet Page B

hips
pressing against mine, I moved my arms around to his neck and
pulled him close, traveling his face with my eyes. I felt myself
melt with all the sweet feelings he inspired.
    “Christian…I kind of like you a lot.”
    My heart squeezed as his eyes went soft and
his hands insinuated themselves in my hair and cradled my head. “I
like you a lot too.”
    Sighing, I pulled him in tight for a hug and
held him there. I luxuriated in the shelter of his arms, feeling
safe in the solidity of his body around me. I wished I could spend
the night but I wasn’t so sure how cool my mom would be about that.
So with great reluctance, I moved out from under him.
    “I have to go.”
    I could see the reluctance in his eyes as he
stood up. “I will walk you home. By the way, some friends and I are
playing soccer on Sunday, you want to come?”
    More time with my half Irish, half Italian,
guardian angel? You don’t have to ask me twice, “sure.”
    Once we were out of his house and headed to
mine, I could feel him glancing around again. His concern seemed to
reawaken mine and I found myself studying every shadow we neared. I
considered mentioning my concern for his safety, but being a guy, I
was sure he would be affronted. Like I was saying he couldn’t take
care of himself. So I kept my mouth shut. His arm tightened
around my waist and he looked down at me.
    “I want you to be really careful. No running
around at night by yourself and make sure to let your mom know that
you saw him at school.”
    He didn’t have to worry. I had no desire to
become some domestic abuse statistic. Looking away from the clear
agitation in his eyes, I considered whether I should mention it to
a couple of cops I was friends with and decided I would. Better to
be safe than sorry. I was kind of relieved that I wouldn’t be
home alone, I could see my mom’s car and several others in the
driveway and all the lights were on. I realized she must be having
one of her game nights with her co-workers. That should be
entertaining. I smiled in spite of myself. Turning to
Christian, I decided to lighten his mood or darken it with desire
whichever worked. I didn’t want him worrying all night. I grabbed
his arms and yanked him against me, twining one leg around one of
his.
    “Mmm… I wish I could spend the night with
you,” I said as provocatively as I could. 
    His arms wrapped around me but the look in
his eyes was incredulous. Like he couldn’t believe I was taunting
him.
    “You are just asking for trouble. No, you’re
begging for it,” he growled, his voice low and gravelly.
    He really was lovely and
perfect. Deciding not to push my luck, I swiftly kissed him on
the lips and ran into the house. I could feel him watching my
retreat like he couldn’t decide whether to pick me up and carry me
back to his house or let me escape for the night. I kind of hoped
he would pick the former. But that was my wicked side
talking. Mom looked at me suspiciously as I rushed into the
house, but no doubt seeing nothing of concern she turned back to
the poker game with her friends. I waved to everyone at the table
and made my way to the kitchen. My mom followed soon
after. 
    “Where were you?” she asked, puttering around
the kitchen, trying to find an excuse to be in there.
    “I met a really nice guy at school named
Christian. We were hanging out at his house. It’s not far from
here. It’s the big white house near Saltar’s, kind of rundown.”
     She nodded her head at this, and looked
like she wanted to ask more questions but didn’t know what to start
with. She really was out of practice. I thought I better head her
off at the pass. 
    “Mom,” I said hesitantly, “I think I saw
Nicolas today at school watching me in the parking lot.”
    “What!” she loudly exclaimed and took a
concerned step towards me. 
    Oh lord, what had I done? I was so not in the
mood for drama tonight. Which unfortunately was one of her great
gifts-or more accurately