Free Uncharted (Unexpected Book 3) by Claudia Burgoa Page B

breath and lifts her face, flashing those twinkles that I’m starting to memorize. “Though you might have to help me pack the rest of my junk. Will you be okay with that?”
    One slight nod and a peck is all the confirmation I give her. I plan on spending every second that I’m given with her. Whatever happens next—our being apart—will be temporary. Things will work out in the long run. They have to.
    “This could be the beginning of a long…something,” I blurt, as our mouths part.
    “Doubtful. In the years to come, you’ll become famous. You won’t even remember my name,” she whispers. “But I’ll listen to your latest hit on the radio, and fantasize that we’re together. That my life is different.”
    Can she really not believe what I see? How can I convince her we are destined to be together?
    “The luxury cookie-cutter package, Twink,” I remind her. “That’s what our life will be in a few years.”

“I can’t explain much,” I whisper, afraid I’ll wake up Jacob or his brother. Snuggling under the blankets of his bed, I continue my conversation with Maeve. “Please just be happy for me, Mae. I need a couple of days.”
    “Can’t or won’t explain?” Maeve whispers back with an irritating tone. It’s ten in the morning, and a sharp edge glides through my chest. Mom must be around. “I’m risking my skin here, Pree. I deserve to know what you’re going to be doing those two days.”
    Risking her skin—as if. Mae has our parents eating out of her hand, but I yield to her drama and approach her in a different way. “Later, I swear. But help me out here. It’s just for a couple of days. Without you this won’t work. After all, this was your brilliant idea.”
    Giddiness brews inside me as I envision the moment when we’ll discuss Jacob and his sweet, passionate kisses. My Friday night deserves better than a quick chitchat over the phone. It deserves to be told over a pint of ice cream. Agreeing to her demands wouldn’t do justice to what I experienced, which I can describe as life-changing and utterly exhilarating. From this moment forward, any guy who kisses me will be measured against his skills.
    Ah, Jacob!
    A creaky noise forces me to uncover my head and check the source of the disturbance. Dreamy, handsome Jacob approaches the bed sporting that signature cocky smile I’m beginning to really dig. I’m crushing hard. He holds a tray containing some food.
    “Hey, sis, I have to go.” I don’t wait for her to say a thing and end the call.
    “Did you clear the weekend?” Jacob asks, lowering the tray on top of the bed. Yummy. Pancakes, blueberries and orange juice. Eagerly I nod. “Good,” his face lights up. “I have plans for us. Did you have a good night’s sleep?”
    “Yeah, where did you sleep?” Around three in the morning we came back downstairs; he handed me a T-shirt, showed me his room, and left for the night.
    “With my brother.” He slides next to me, gives me a chaste kiss on the lips, and takes one of the glasses. “Yesterday I promised not to cross any lines unless you wanted me to. Wait, I forgot. Is there something specific you’d rather do today?”
    I ponder his question. Mae didn’t confirm, but I’ll risk it and assume she’ll cover for me. Today I can do so many things, but...
    “Mind if we head to my dorm room? I don’t have any clothes with me.” I cut a piece of pancake with a fork and take a bite. They don’t have syrup, but they taste mapley. “Who cooked?”
    “I did. I’m a man of many talents.” He downs his juice, grabs his plate from the tray, and begins to eat. But not before giving me a kiss that curls my toes, my fingers, my hair, and my heart. “Yes, we can hit the dorm, pick up your crap, and start our fun weekend. Any requests? Or do you want me to choose today’s activities?”
    I shrug due to my lack of coherent words. The combination of magnetic eyes, musky scent, firm features, shirtless torso, and that kiss