Free Riptide by H. M. Ward Page A

he hadn’t heard me right. “Seriously?”
    I nodded and stepped closer to him, slipping my arms around his waist. “Yes. You’re right. I know the part and I really don’t mind kissing you, actually I look forward to it .” I ran my fingers through his hair while I looked into his eyes. Trystan’s gaze remained locked on mine.
    “You’re wicked, you know that? The only thing I can think about now is kissing you.” Trystan’s fingers pulled at my waist until my chest was firmly against his. The way we fit together made me feel tingles all over. It felt like I was blasted with a heater when he touched me. Suddenly I was hot and breathing like I’d run miles. He didn’t even kiss me yet. We were just talking about it.
    “All part of my plan, kiss assassin.” I flirted back.
    “I wonder if tha—” Trystan didn’t get to finish his remark because I reached up and grabbed his neck, and pulled his lips down on mine. Trystan’s hands held me tight as he kissed me back, his lips gently tasting mine before he lost all control and kissed me hard er . I think I forgot to breath e at one point. The whole thing was perfect; the way he held me, the way he kissed me, the way he said my name like there was no one else and there never would be.
    When we pulled apart , I sucked in ragged breaths and tried to calm down. Trystan smiled at me. I grinned back, and swatted his arm. “I’m wicked? That was supposed to be a little kiss?”
    “I didn’t see you keeping it little,” he said, bouncing slightly on the balls of his feet. Trystan was happy, happy like I’d never seen him before. Every inch of Trystan was alive and resonating with mirth .
    “ Ha! Like that’s my fault. I t’s kind of hard to do things half way with you. When you kissed me , while we were rehearsing , I almost died. No one’s ever kissed me the way you do.” I sat down hard on the couch, fanning myself. My heart was still pounding in my ears.
    Trystan jumped onto the couch beside me. “ And who else kissed you?”
    My spine straightened and I turned slowly to look at him. I didn’t want to talk about that. Instead of answering, a blush stained my cheeks. Trystan took my hands, his eyes glittering with curiosity, and said, “Or should I ask how many? Are you really a sexual deviant? Could I be that lucky?”
    I laughed. I couldn’t help it. “A sexual deviant?”
    “Back on track, Mari , my love. How many others have there been?” When I hesitated, he said, “I’ll tell you mine if you tell me yours.”
    “I don’t want to know how many girls you’ve slept with! God, Trystan.” I pulled my hands away and rubbed my eyes.
    He was still smiling, “Are you sure? You might be surprised. I’m not the male slut everyone thinks I am. I’m only a little slutty.” He pinched his fingers together, leaving a tiny space between.
    That got my attention. “What do you mean?”
    Trystan shook his head, still smiling, not offering more information. “You tell me your ’ s first.”
    “ You’re evil,” I laughed. Trystan waggled his eyebrows at me and grinned widely. “Fine… I had one serious boyfriend. We didn’t do everything, but it didn’t matter. He still crushed me when we broke up. He goes to another school, so at least I don’t have to see him every day.” Trystan kept his hand on mine, rubbing the back of my palm. I glanced up at him from under my lashes , feeling foolish. “I haven’t been with anyone. Seth’s nickname for me is accurate. ”
    Trystan leaned forward and kissed me on the end of my nose. Grinning, he sat back slowly. “You’re perfect, Mari. Holding out for the right guy isn’t stupid, and guys who say it is just want to get in your pants.”
    “Like you?” I said, kiddingly.
    “Like me,” Trystan continued to hold my hand, his fingers gently brushing against the side of my fingers as he gazed at me. “Well, like me before I met you, and I’ve heard your chastity sermons for a few years now.