Page 76 of Juliet's Echo

A complete mistake.

Because I just knew he saw the hearts in my eyes and the one beating damn near through my chest.

Psalm stood against the wall wearing ripped baggy jeans, a Tribe Called Quest graphic tee, and what were obviously custom Air Uptempos.

Lord, this man is fine.

By the time I reached him, he gripped my waist and pulled me closer. His hands settled there comfortably, like they belonged, and he stared at me as if I was the most beautiful girl in the world.

Students passed by smiling, and one dude even dapped him up. That was man code for:You bagged a baddie.

Psalm looked down at me and, foolishly, I prepared for a kiss. Instead, he gently released my waist and signed, “Stop playing with me.”

I gasped.

“Of all the phrases you could've learned, why that one?”

His grin widened.

“Because I know there's gonna be plenty of times where you got me fucked up.”

I smacked his arm, hard enough to make a point, but soft enough that he'd know I was flirting. The smile never left my face.

“That is so rude.”

“Oh yeah?” he asked.

His finger tapped the tip of my nose, causing my eyes to flutter.

“I learned another one too.”

“Let me see,” I signed.

A mischievous grin spread across his face before he signed, “Give me a kiss, Lucky.”

Heat rushed to my cheeks.

His hands returned to my waist, settling there with a little more confidence this time. Applying just enough pressure to pull me closer, he closed the remaining space between us until there wasn't any left at all.

Tilting my head, I parted my lips and welcomed his.

Psalm kissed the way he played guitar. Intense, sensual and passionately, like he loved every movement. For a few seconds the hallway disappeared. The students, the theater, the assignment, all of it faded into the background until there was nothing left but him and the feeling of his mouth on mine. A few passersby cheered, and somebody yelled, “That assault charge was worth it, I see!”

The comment almost made me laugh.

Nazir's family had tried to press charges with every intention of suing Psalm. What they didn't know was that Echo’s word carried more weight around Havenbrook than most elected officials.

So just like Nazir's future, that lawsuit wasn't going anywhere.

When we finally pulled apart, a quiet breath escaped me. Shaking my head, I forced myself back into reality before I completely forgot where we were.

“You ready to ace this presentation?” I asked.

“Yup.”

He stole one more kiss, a firm but affectionate peck that lingered just long enough to make me smile again. Then he intertwined his fingers with mine, and together we headed toward the theater.

Hamburger had turned the debate assignment into a full-blown production complete with a live studio audience.