Free Breaking Noah by Missy Johnson, Ashley Suzanne Page B

hands cover mine, the unexpected gesture throwing me off. I jerk my hand away, then reach for my phone in a poor attempt to cover up my embarrassment.
    “Sorry,” he mutters awkwardly. “I didn’t mean…” He shakes his head and laughs. “Hell, I don’t know what the hell I meant.”
    “It’s cool, I just wasn’t expecting it.” I smile, forcing myself to make eye contact as I move my hand across the table. I’m going to need him to stop acting like a gentleman really quick. The conflicting emotions are confusing, and I need to be clearheaded.
    This
isn’t
part of the plan. My body reacting like this is not supposed to happen. The more time we spend together, the more I find myself doubting whether I have the strength to pull this whole thing off.
    “Don’t be sorry.” He toys with my ring, sliding it back and forth on my finger. “This whole thing is so outside my comfort zone it’s not funny.”
    “What do you mean?” I ask, slipping my fingers into his grasp. He looks up and holds my gaze, uncertainty wavering in his expression.
    “You. Me.” He laughs. “God, I’m doing things I never thought I’d do. You have this way of making me want to completely abandon everything I know and go with my heart. I tell myself over and over again that I can’t think of you as anything other than my student, and then I feel like there’s no use trying. I’m not going to be able to be the strong one here.” He shakes his head, smiling at our waitress as she sets our drinks down on the table.
    “What’s your heart saying?” I ask, focusing way too closely on pouring too much sugar into my coffee.
    He sighs and shrugs. “That I don’t want to be with Shannon. Before you, I kidded myself that she was what I wanted.” He flushes suddenly. “That came out wrong. I don’t mean you’re what I want, I—”
    “So you don’t want me?” I tease, a ghost of a smile on my lips.
    “God, yes!” He groans, throwing his head back. “You’re messing with me now, aren’t you?” he accuses. I laugh and he shakes his head. “I’m glad you’re having fun,” I say.
    “Speaking of which, we better hurry or we’ll miss the play.”
    I grin at him. “That wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world. I can think of a worse way to spend my night than talking to you.”
    “I’m flattered, but I told you I’d take you to see the play, so we’re seeing the play. Maybe next time we can just have dinner. As friends, of course,” he adds, a little too quickly.
    “That would be nice.”
    —
    “Well, thanks for taking me. I know my place is out of your way and all.”
    “Nah, it’s no problem at all. It made sense to go together. I don’t know why I didn’t suggest it.”
    We’re sitting in his car outside my place. It’s after twelve, and though I can see the lights are on inside, I’d put money on Dillon being drunk and passed out. I’m not concerned in the slightest about him seeing us.
    “Guess I’ll see you in class.”
    “Guess so,” he agrees, his blue eyes resting on mine. I bite my lip and open the door, the car lighting up. As I’m stepping out, he reaches over and grabs my arm. “Wait.”
    I turn, and I’m greeted with his soft lips on mine. I’m shocked, because I honestly didn’t think he had it in him to make a move. I drop my purse and reposition my body so I’m facing him and delve deeper into his kiss.
    His arm snakes around my waist, riding up the center of my back. I jump, a tingle racing through me when his fingers hit the bare skin of my neck. I gently caress his face, my tongue massaging his. He pulls away from me, our hands breaking contact. I feel my cheeks heat as he stares at me, and I find myself wondering what he’s thinking.
    “I better go.” I drop my gaze and then get out of the car, closing the door. Stepping back onto the safety of the sidewalk, I watch as he drives off. My arms are crossed tightly over my chest and I’m not sure if it’s the freezing air on