Page 87 of Falling for Keeps

“Then we tell no one.” The voice is so soft, I’m not sure it came from my lips. But it’s my idea, and I know it sprang from the affirmation that’s been running through my head all day. I am allowed to want more. I don’t have to sit back and let Carson bury himself in a theoretical box underground and throw away the key. Maybe we need each other right now, and it won’t last forever. Or maybe Carson needs someone to choose him, and continue to choose him no matter what.

“Not my mom,” he says. “Or Penny…or the Ednas.”

“Definitely not the Ednas. Or the librarians.”

“No one,” he repeats, and the words have power, sizzling and sparking in the air between us. We’ve heated the pan and everything he says, every tiny movement his hands make, is like dropping something in hot oil.

“No one,” I agree.

The words are a magic key, unlocking every last reserve we’ve been holding onto. Carson’s mouth crashes to mine, heat exploding behind my eyes and driving through every vein in my body. His lips slant with need and familiarity, hot and cozy and vibrating with urgency.

I can’t be close enough to this man. Every move he makes, I’m with him. When he deepens the kiss and tilts his head, I nearly sink to the ground, but he’s pressing me against the car and holding me so tightly my jelly legs could go limp and he’d hold me up.

Never have I been so grateful for Wet Wipes before. Specifically for bringing us to this deserted corner of the world. A corner where kissing Carson is the only thing that matters.

Carson

It’s only been twelve hours and I’m already a jealous boyfriend. Jealous secret boyfriend? Do I even get to use the boyfriend title when I won’t let us—whatever us is—be a public thing? Yeah, it was Emma’s idea, but I jumped in with both feet the moment she suggested it.

I haven’t even been awake for ten minutes when I’m sending a text to Emma.

Carson

Don’t go to the barn dance with anyone else.

Emma

Bold of you to assume I’m going at all.

Carson

It’s a town event. Tell me you didn’t plan to go, and I’ll believe you.

Emma

Fine…I was planning on going.

Carson

So you’ll dance with me?

Emma

If you ask me to.

Carson

Oh, I’ll ask you to.

I have a goofy grin on my face when I see my mom and Penny at the breakfast table eating their oatmeal. Penny has a line of fall-colored nail polish in front of her. “Can I paint your nails, Dad? I want to try pumpkins.”

“Sure, kiddo. Let me find something to eat first.”

Mom watches me move to the cupboard and pull out a bowl, then start cracking eggs into it. “Why are you smiling so much?”

I drop my expression flat at once. “What do you mean?”

She narrows her eyes. “You look like you won the lotto. Does this have something to do with why you stayed out so late when I took Penny home last night?”