Page 9 of The Score

"Wait. Are you sure?"

"It's just a kiss." I cradle her head. "In my experience, they feel nice, but they're not earth-shattering."

When they kiss on TV it looks like they would be. In fanfic, they describe it as rocking your world, as long as you're kissing the right person. I know when I find the one for me, their kiss will change my world.

With Pen? It'll be nice, and she'll get what she wants. I'll be the guy who's there for her in all ways, even this one.

"You're not selling it," she says. "You're basically saying, 'they feel nice but whatever, don't expect too much.'"

"I don't have to sell it. I'm not trying to seduce you, Pen. Didn't you just say you want to get it out of the way? We don't have to make it a big deal. We're just kissing as friends."

"Promise that it's just as friends. No matter what, we'll still be friends."

"Of course. A kiss like this can't ruin our friendship."

She gazes at me for a second longer.

She nods. "I trust you."

"Good." I frown.

I gaze at her lips. They part, supple and—

No. No thoughts like that allowed. Better yet, no thoughts at all.

Just a light touch, to start. A second, two, of that soft test, and I press my mouth to hers. She releases a breath and it plays against my skin.

My eyes are closed. I change the angle with gentle guidance from my hands on her face. I'm tempted to smile, feeling tender because kissing Pen is just like I thought…

Until her tongue finds its way into my mouth. It calls for mine and I give in. Mouths open now, we kiss languidly, sweetness and exploration that build up slowly.

Maybe that's why I notice how things change. The slight tremors building in the ground, climbing up my legs right into my belly. The swell of emotion filling up my chest. The warmth that spreads from my center until it reaches my skin.

A hundred little fires light up with no warning. The ground shakes.

This is different. I don't understand it but I can't think— I simply angle my head and try to go for more. Fuck, I want more. Wherever this may lead, I'll follow. I'll guide. I will— stop, when she interrupts everything with a laugh.

"Oh my God." She pulls away. "That's weird!"

She laughs some more.

I freeze. My hands fall slowly to my side, as if I've lost control over them and gravity took over. Horrified, I realize I'm at half mast.

"Tongues are wet and soft but… hard?" Her face looks like she can't fully process what just happened. "I should have guessed but…"

She looks confused now. Good, because I'm not sure I can grasp all that happened either.

Why do I feel awful? I did this so she didn't feel rejected, but it's like I took the feeling from her and stuffed it down my throat. My best friend didn't like the way I kissed her. Shouldn't I be okay with that? Fuck.

"You'll like it with the right person," I manage.

"Will I? If you think about it, it's so weird to just… come at someone and lock with their mouth hole like that."

I snort and package my feelings tight. Swiftly, I dispose of them. They should end up buried deeper than the Mariana Trench. I'll make sure of it.

Pen and I are friends. She doesn't have to like my kiss. I don't have to be the right person for her that way. She wouldhateknowing I might have— I could have—

I will not betray her like this.