Free Don't Let Go by Michelle Lynn Page A

the cold metal mailboxes and stretches his arm above my head. This is it; he is finally going to kiss me . I should have popped a mint in my mouth .His other hand moves up toward my face and his thumb lightly brushes over my lips. I stare into the caramel eyes, filled with desire and want. He tips his head down to me and before I have a chance to lick in preparation, his lips are on mine. He cups the side of my face and captures my bottom lip with his soft and gentle ones. I allow his tongue access after he slides his tongue between mine, asking to enter. We taste one another as our tongues mingle together. He tightens his hand against my cheek and draws his body closer to me.
    Brady slowly stops the kiss but continues to give me short tender kisses before he ultimately pulls away, leaving me numb.
    “This date keeps getting better,” he says softly and grins down at me.
    I smile back. I can’t think of a good come-back because I just want to beg him to do it all over again. I lean forward from the mailboxes and Brady puts his arm around my waist, leading me down the hall.
    The halls are empty since it is Monday night and almost everyone has class tomorrow. I don’t hear Jessa on the other side of the door, so I assume she is asleep. The pull to have him come in and climb into my bed with me is fierce. But I can’t take the chance he won’t be there tomorrow. That he will use me like the others.
    “Thank you, Sadie. I had a great time.” He leans me up against the door again, encasing me with his arms.
    “Me too,” I agree, “thank you.” I hold the doorknob behind my back with my hand and stare up at those eyes that could make me do some very bad things.
    He gives me a chaste kiss on the lips. “I will definitely be dreaming about you tonight.” His eyes roam my body, as though trying to burn the image in his head.
    “Goodnight, Brady.” I open the door before I beg him to come in.
    “Goodnight, Sadie. Sweet dreams,” he responds.
    I shut the door and lean against it, releasing the breath I have been holding. I’m in so much trouble. Brady Carsen just carved out another piece of my heart.
     

Chapter 8
     
    The next morning, my stomach flutters every time I think about the dance with Brady. That’s nothing compared to when I think about the kiss. My whole body actually covers in goose bumps: in the shower, on my way to class, and eating lunch. He has consumed my thoughts every minute to the point that I have to finally stop listening to his music on my iPod.
    After my second class, I head back to the dorm and stop by the mailboxes. As I stand there, I can almost feel Brady’s lips on mine. I shuffle through the junk mail and land on a pink rectangle envelope. My fingers go weak and it almost drops to the ground. I can’t believe with everything going on, I forgot.
    I toss the junk mail in the nearby trashcan and make my way to the chairs in the common area. Resting my bag on the chair next to me, I carefully open the card. Star confetti drops in my lap as I pull the card out of the envelope. The card has a picture of a cake and the title says “To a Special Daughter on her Birthday”. My mom signed the card with love from her and my dad, instructing me to call soon but I know they don’t really mean it. I have to admit the card puts a small smile on my face since last year they either forgot or didn’t care to celebrate.
    Tucking the card in my messenger bag, I head down the hall to my room. When I open the door, I wish I would have gone to the library. Rob is sitting in my chair, relaxing with his ankle on the opposite knee and Jessa sits in hers with her legs crossed. They seem to be watching something on television. I don’t want to be rude so I continue to enter.
    “Hey, Sadie,” Jessa says, looking at me over her shoulder.
    “Hi, Jessa,” I respond back. “Hi, Rob.” I wave over at him.
    “Hey,” he states callously. That pretty much sums up my conversation with him.
    I don’t want to