Something had changed after the night of the dance. Something was different.

Dane and I had spent what hours we could that night on the rock, kissing and clinging, wishing we could be two other people in some other town. But we’d done that before. That wasn’t what was different.

I wished the difference were that things had changed, but they hadn’t. The very next morning after our night on the rock, my mother had gone on and on about how I needed to pursue things with Chad, but if I couldn’t make it work, she knew of a few other boys who would be acceptable mates for me. Boys who could secure a good future for me.

It was like being bred to the best stallion in the barn.

A couple days later, Alton had made a comment about how Dane might know wheat now, but he was still a worthless piece of shit. I had no idea what happened that day, and I didn’t ask. I didn’t even care. I knew deep in my bones that no matter how high Dane rose, what a bright star he became, he would still never be permitted in my sky. Not until I was out from under their thumbs.

But something was still different. Something had shifted between Dane and me. Before, we’d spend our time on the rock and then go back to our lives. We still wanted each other, but neither of us did anything about it. But this time was different. This time, a sense of desperation had set in and I knew it wouldn’t be enough to have that one night with Dane James and then go months or even years without spending time with him again. I knew I would do whatever I could, whatever I had to, to see him again. Soon. I needed more. More time, more kisses, more nights. As many as I could get.

Stolen moments at school, longing looks across the football field, a blink of his bedroom light before it was snuffed out for the night—it all fed my thirsty soul, but none of it was enough. I wasn’t sure I could ever get enough.

I kept an antsy feeling, like I was just going through the motions, waiting for something. And that something was Dane James. Nothing else could compare. And nothing else could quench my desire for even a few minutes with him.

“So then we’re going. Don’t forget, Brinkley.”

It was Friday, which meant football and parties and social schedules teeming with activities.

“Forget what?”

“The party. Angel’s house. Tonight after the game. You can ride with Chad,” Lauren reminded me.

I glanced across the sundrenched schoolyard to the table where Chad sat. As if he knew we were talking about him, he looked up at me and winked. I gave him a small smile and looked away.

One would think he’d have dumped me after the dance, but evidently that kiss had been enough to keep him interested. My mother would be thrilled. I, however, was not.

“I’m going with Chad?”

“God, Brinkley, just give it up and sleep with the guy. You need to pop that cherry and get on with living life.”

To this, I said nothing.

“Whatever. But why can’t we ride together?”

“Dane will be taking me.” I could hear the smile, the satisfaction, the boasting in her voice long before I looked at her face.

“Oh.” I tried to school my expression.

“Chad’s not gonna strip you down the second you get in his car, for God’s sake. Get a grip, Brinkley.”

I let her believe that my reluctance was wholly related to Chad and his advances. Part of them were. I had no desire to spend any amount of time kissing him or fending him off, but that was only part of it. A small part, even. The far bigger part had everything to do with Dane.

As Lauren and Cassie chatted about what they would wear, I let my mind drift back to the night Dane had come to my window, when he’d told me that he was doing this—seeing Lauren—for us. I drew as much comfort from that as I possibly could and tried to look forward to seeing Dane at the party. That was at least a little bright spot in an otherwise nasty-looking weekend forecast.

Going to the football game helped a little. As I was walking across the field in front of the bleachers, I kept looking out, searching the jerseys for the right number. For Dane’s number. And when I found it, I saw that he was turned toward me, watching me unabashedly. He didn’t have to worry about getting caught. For one thing, he had his helmet on. To anyone who looked, it probably seemed like he was looking into the stands. Or looking at Lauren who was walking in front of me. But I knew he wasn’t. I knew he was looking at me. Not only did he nod the tiniest bit when I finally found him, but I could feel the heat of his gaze all the way across the field. It set fire to the kindling that was always ready and waiting to be lit when it came to Dane James.

Lauren found us a place to sit. I decided I quickly realized I liked football games. I could watch Dane as much as I wanted and no one would be the wiser. Every eye in the stadium was focused on the field, and they were all so far away, I could’ve been looking at any of them. No one knew that I had eyes for only one.

Several times, Dane would look up in our direction. Once Lauren waved and he waved back. I tried not to let it upset me. Of course, he would see her wave; she was sitting right beside me. But still, it stung for some reason. I didn’t want there to be any question that it was me on his mind. Me and only me.

I knew then that seeing him at the party would likely be as uncomfortable as it would be needful, but I knew I would go. It was like being so thirsty you’re willing to risk drinking tainted water. The night might be tainted, but I needed to see Dane. Needed it. And I’d take a minute here or there, whenever I could get it. Just to be in the same room with him, to watch him, even from a distance, would keep me from withering.

Just over an hour later, I was regretting my decision to go to Angel’s party. Not only was Lauren all over Dane, showing him off like some sort of trophy, but Chad was constantly touching me—putting his arm around my shoulders, sliding his hand around my waist, kissing my temple. It grossed me out, but I was a little more willing to tolerate it because I saw Dane glancing in our direction. A lot. And I could tell by the look in his eyes that he didn’t like what he was seeing. But I was okay with that. I didn’t like what I was seeing with Lauren and him either.

The longer we were together yet apart, the more we watched each other. I knew he was feeling that way, too. I could see it in the way his eyes strayed to me so often. I could see it in the longing that burned in them.

In the beginning, I was concerned with being caught, with who might see me looking at Dane, but I began to crave his glances so much that I stopped wondering or even caring who saw. And that was dangerous.

I tipped up the red plastic cup I was holding and there was nothing in it. I turned to Chad and held it up.

“I’m empty. You want anything?”

“Nothing that would fit in that cup.” His leer would’ve made a dirty old man proud. I smiled, or at least I think I smiled, and walked off. I had no idea how to even respond to that, so I just…didn’t. I had other things on my mind. One other thing.

I made my way to the keg, trying not to turn and look at Dane. It was as I was reaching for the tap that long, tanned fingers intercepted it. I looked up and my heart tripped over itself.

It was Dane.

Part of me knew it would be. He couldn’t stay away from me any better than I could stay away from him.

Because something had definitely changed.

I was relieved and excited and gratified that he’d followed me to the keg. That he’d been watching me so closely that he knew the moment I left Chad.

A slow, coy grin curved my lips. I wondered how long we could keep this up without bursting. Without exploding into a spray of heat and want, like an ancient, carnal geyser releasing what boiled and bubbled beneath the surface. “What are you doing?”

“Pouring you a beer.” He winked as he explained, aiming the spout at my cup. We watched each other as cold liquid seeped slowly out of the tap. I wished it were an even slower pour, like molasses slow. I wanted to stay here forever, watching Dane James over a keg of beer, getting lost in the sparkling warmth of his eyes. “Do you always blush when someone pours you a beer?”

I tucked my chin, cheeks burning even hotter. I hadn’t been aware of my blushing. I hadn’t been aware of anything except this boy and all that he made me feel. All that he made me want.

“No. Not always.”

“No? So it’s just me then?”

My stomach gave a hot squeeze and I felt my eyes widen in disbelief.

Dane James was flirting with me. At a party. With lots of people around. While he was on a date. And so was I.

I knew no one else could hear him; he wasn’t talking loud enough. But still…

It was unexpected and scary and thrilling. So very, very thrilling.

I cleared my throat, glancing left and right before returning to his gaze. “Maybe.”

“Does your ‘maybe’ always mean yes?”

Rather than answering right away, I reached over and put my hand on his. I loved how he got so still, and how his eyes lit up like he wanted to drag me off somewhere and finish this tantalizing little dance we’d engaged in.

I grinned when I felt cold liquid pour over my hand. That’s why I reached out. To stop his pour. He hadn’t even noticed that my cup was almost full, a fact that made me happy in a strange and exhilarating way. It was proof I had the same power over him that he held over me. And it was increasing with every passing second.

“Oh shit! Sorry.”

I felt curiously giddy. “Don’t be. You obviously had…other things on your mind.”

I held his eyes as I sucked foam from the rim of the red Solo. Two could play this game.

I lowered my cup and licked my upper lip. Dane’s eyes watched my mouth the whole time. I’d never felt sexier. More beautiful. More wanted. And just for being me, Brinkley Sommers. He was the one person who couldn’t have cared less about my parents or my wealth or my social status.

All too soon, I heard my name. It pricked my ears like an unwanted siren signaling doom.

It was Chad, speaking from somewhere behind me. He’d be looking for me and I didn’t want him to find me here. That could cause a lot of trouble. Trouble we didn’t need.

I wanted desperately to reach out and touch Dane, to beg him to leave with me, but I didn’t. I simply swallowed a sigh and another mouthful of foam and said, “Thanks for the beer.”

I turned around to walk away. I had to force myself not to look back.

If only I could’ve put him out of my mind as easily as I got him out of my sight. No such luck, though. If anything, my little run-in with Dane James over the keg seemed to have created some sort of invisible tether between us. Wherever he moved around the room, my eyes seemed to go right to him. I was hyperaware of his laugh above the rest of the noise and the warm sensation that made me suspect his eyes were on me. It was like I could feel him across the distance. Unfortunately, that made it even more difficult to put up with Chad and his fifteen hands.

After an hour of moving and removing, dodging and evading his excessive PDA, I needed a breather. When Lauren approached, dragging a noticeably bored Dane James, and offered a respite, one that included the object of my obsession, I was quick to jump on it.

“Who’s up for raiding the hot tub? We’re going.”

“I’m in.” I agreed before I really considered what I was agreeing to. I saw Dane. I saw opportunity. And that’s all I saw.

“Hell yeah.” Chad followed his response with a whoop of delight.

“Cool. You guys can wear…whatever you want. We’re going to change.” To me, Lauren said, “Angel’s got a bunch of suits.” She looped her arm through mine and off we went to the stairs.

Lauren was right. Angel had at least a dozen swimsuits. I chose a pretty one-piece with high-cut legs and a daring neckline. Lauren chose a bikini that looked more like pink scraps of shiny fabric than a purposefully made piece of clothing.

We grabbed towels from the bathroom and headed outside to the hot tub. The lights were on in it, giving the three occupants an eerie glow. I only really noticed one, though. My eyes went straight to Dane James, who was sitting in the far corner with his arms spread out along the edge, looking every bit like a luminous god of the night. His eyes were on me, too, and they took my breath away.

I purposely looked away from him as I dropped my towel onto a chair and walked to the spa. Lauren got in and snuggled up to his side, so I got in between him and Chad. Naturally, Chad scooted closer to me. I sucked it up, however, because I was sitting next to Dane in a pool of warm water, and I could almost feel the energy of his attention, like it mixed with the bubbles and caressed every inch of my skin.

Chad, Lauren, and Michael, the other guy in the hot tub, talked and laughed. Dane and I sat quietly, listening, trying not to stare at each other too much. Beneath the turbulent waters, I could feel him beside me, drawing me like gravity. I wanted more than anything to move closer to him, but I didn’t know how.

As though he’d read my mind, Dane leaned up once to grab his cup of beer, which was sitting on the edge of the spa. When he relaxed back, he was a little bit closer to me. His arm along the back of the tub brought his hand to within a couple of inches of my shoulder, and his presence just seemed…bigger. Quickly, I glanced up at his face. He was watching me.

Hungrily.

Just like I was watching him.

His move only made me need his closeness even more, and the alcohol had made me a bit brave. Without giving it a second thought, I leaned up to grab Chad’s cup.

I took a sip and glanced back over my shoulder at Chad. I smiled. “You don’t mind, do you?”

“God, no! Drink as much as you want.”

I knew that would be his answer. He wanted me drunk. But me? I only wanted nearer to Dane.

My pulse tripped up a notch as I returned to a spot slightly left of where I’d been. To my left was where Dane was, everything I wanted. Having him this close was tempting beyond that which I could resist. I had to get closer still. I had to touch him. Even if it was just a brush, I had to. It felt as necessary as breathing.

Slowly, painstakingly slowly, I inched a tiny bit closer to Dane. Then I saw the muscles in his shoulder shift as he edged toward me. Centimeters that felt like miles.

I breathed more rapidly, laughed more robustly. I was giddy with the danger of what we were doing, and with the undeniable effect Dane James had on me.

Chad and Lauren seemed to follow, like they gravitated toward us, and we toward each other. For once I didn’t mind, though. I didn’t care about my right side, only my left. My entire being was focused on what lay on the side of my heart, and how I was gradually getting near enough to touch.

I sipped Chad’s beer, pretended to participate, and beneath the bubbles, I finally felt my knee brush against Dane’s. A bolt of sensual lightning skittered through me and I swallowed a gasp along with the cooling night air.

He pressed his leg toward me; I shifted mine against his. The rasp of hair over my silky skin echoed through my body like he was touching me everywhere at once. I set my hand down, below the surface, and braced against the seat and moved a little closer.

Seconds later, Dane dropped his hand as well, and I felt it glide along mine. His fingers found mine, first his pinky and then the rest of them, and he stroked them, toyed with them, touched them as I longed to touch him. And as I longed for him to touch me elsewhere.

My belly was heavy with want and I nearly moaned when Dane flipped my hand over and began to rub my palm with his thumb. The pressure was stunningly delicious and as innocent as a caress could be.

Drunk with the desire for more of him and emboldened by the alcohol buzzing in my head, I inched closer still, until I felt Dane’s hand along the side of my leg. Our moving fingers grazed my skin and electricity shot up the inside of my thigh. I’d never wanted anything more than I wanted for Dane James to stand up, ignore everyone else in the whole town, pick me up, and carry me to a bed.

The impulse to do something drastic was almost more than I could bear.

I let my mind wander to that scenario. I felt myself being lifted in his strong arms, held against his muscular chest, then lowered onto a feather-soft bed. I felt his long fingers peel away my wet suit. I felt his cool lips press passionately to mine. I felt his weight settle between my legs, his languid movements creating friction right where I craved it most.

But then, like someone threw a cold pitcher of beer in my face, I felt the touch of another hand. It came to rest on my thigh and slipped inward, to a place that I only ever wanted Dane James to know.

I stood up so suddenly, water sloshed over the edges of the tub and everyone reached for their drinks. “Sorry. I think I’m done, though. It’s so hot it’s making my head swim.”

I swayed for effect, and pretended that I couldn’t feel Dane’s eyes on my face, my breasts, my stomach where I stood only inches from his hands and his mouth. If only things were different. If only he wasn’t forbidden, or we were alone. I would sit down on his lap, wrap my arms around his neck, and I’d vow never to let go.

But things weren’t different. And we weren’t alone. So with a quick glance in his direction, I announced, “I’m going to get dressed.” Over my shoulder to Chad, I said, “I’m ready to go whenever you are.”

With that, I climbed out of the tub and made my way to Angel’s room. On shaky legs and with trembling fingers, I grabbed my clothes and headed to the bathroom nearest the kitchen to shed my wet suit.

Once I dressed, I turned on the water at the sink and let the frigid stream pour through my fingers. I splashed a few handfuls onto my face. I wasn’t sure if I needed to cool off or sober up, but I suspected that my inner turmoil, the warmth in my head, and the ache in my belly, had nothing to do with hot water and beer, and everything to do with a guy.

I knew it years ago, and I’m proving it now. Dane James is dangerous for me. And I’m helpless to resist him.

As much as I wanted to stay in the bathroom rather than fending off Chad’s advances on the way home, I knew I couldn’t. In fact, he could be right outside the door, waiting to ambush me.

Cautiously, I crept to the door, slowly turning the knob and easing it open to peek through the crack. When I saw no sign of Chad, I stepped out.

That’s when I saw him.

Not Chad.

Dane.

He was leaning against the wall beside the open pantry door, watching. Waiting.

I felt my face flush and my belly heat with pure pleasure. All that I’d been feeling in the hot tub came back with a rush, and I was suddenly overwhelmed with white-hot desire.

We stared at each other for a few seconds and then… I don’t even know what happened, how it happened. Before I knew it, my back was pressed against the inside of the closed pantry door and Dane was everywhere.

His fingers were weaving into my hair, his body was pressed tight to mine, his mouth was hovering less than an inch away. I couldn’t see him in the dark, but I could feel him. God, how I could feel him! I felt every warm puff of air fan my cheeks as he tried to control himself. His struggle was almost tangible. He trembled with it, and so did I.

It was intoxicating.

“Brinkley.”

That one word, that one whisper, so desperate, so pleading, was like gasoline to an already-raging inferno. I wanted him to kiss me. I needed it. He had to. My very existence seemed to hinge on it, like I might disintegrate if he didn’t press his lips, his body, his soul to mine and hold me together.

And then, like the answer to a prayer, Dane James crashed down on me, a beautiful, chaotic wave of want and need. His lips met mine in a collision that sealed our fate. This…this burning…this flame we couldn’t stay away from made it official. We could no longer resist. Whatever was between us had become like air or water.

Or fire.

Licking and blazing.

Consuming.

Or maybe it was like a drug, this thing between us. I’d seen documentaries about people doing crack for the first time, how it suddenly became an obsession—getting more, more, more. For the first time in my life, I knew how that felt. I knew how it felt to be addicted. And I knew how it felt to want something so badly you’d do almost anything, risk almost anything to have it. Just a little taste, a little touch. And from his kiss, the way he held me, the way he touched me, I knew Dane did, too. Even though this would go nowhere good, would go nowhere at all, we couldn’t stop it.

I had no idea how giving in to it would change things. Or maybe I did. Maybe I just didn’t care.

I lifted my arms and wrapped them around his broad, strong back, holding him close, close, closer. I couldn’t get close enough, not without ripping his clothes and climbing inside with him.

I moaned as his tongue slid along mine. I felt the heat of it, the rasp of it as though it was gliding over my nipples, slipping between my legs.

Like his solidness, I felt his kiss everywhere.

One long arm wound around my waist and lifted me, pressing me hard against the door. Dane’s thick thigh wedged between mine. The touch of it, the press of it, right there, was nearly more than I could take.

He moved his body along mine in a rhythm that I understood on some instinctive level, and I met him at the crest of each wave of it. Over and over, we crashed into one another, rubbing and sliding, skin alive, nerves on fire. My head was light with the need for oxygen, but I didn’t ask him to stop. I wanted him more than I wanted to breathe.

When Dane finally lifted his head, he was panting, too. Breathless. His voice was gruff when he confessed, “I’ve wanted to do that since before the game started.”

Some rational part of my brain came back online, but it was far away and the voice of it was weak. “W-we could get caught.”

Even I could hear the lack of concern in my own words. Dane James was the only thing I cared about, and I believed I was the only thing he cared about, too.

He didn’t even bother to answer. Not with words. He just bent his head to mine and pulled my bottom lip into his mouth, sucking gently until I opened to him again. Nothing after that really mattered. All of life had boiled down to a few stolen seconds in a friend’s pantry, just like it did when whenever we met at the rock. We were all that mattered when the moon was high and the night was young. Time was ours and ours alone, for just a little while. But this time, these seconds, were different. Nothing would be the same after this.

Nothing.

“Go straight home,” Dane whispered as he trailed his lips across my cheek to my ear. “I need to see you. And touch you. Alone.”

I could hardly think clearly enough to speak. “You are seeing me. And touching me. And we are alone.” I tilted my head to one side to give him access to my neck. He accepted, nibbling his way down to my collarbone. His teeth and tongue sent lava pouring into my belly.

“You’re teasing me?” There was laughter in his tone as he murmured against my skin.

“What if I am?”

“There’s punishment for that type of behavior.” He centered his lips on my chest and kissed his way down to the part in my shirt. My back arched like it was a bow and he controlled the string that pulled it tight.

I’d never wanted anything so much in my whole life. Not ever. But…there were consequences, and if we got caught…

Alton’s words taunted me. Coming to my senses, I nudged Dane back, instantly missing the close contact when he obliged. He took my hands in his and kissed the knuckles.

“Our rock. Give me an hour.”

“An hour then.” He kissed me one more time, like he was trying to make sure I wouldn’t change my mind. He needn’t have worried. “You’d better go while you can.” He backed away so I could open the door. I paused before I made my escape. I didn’t want to go. And I knew Dane didn’t want me to go. But there, in Angel Reynolds’ pantry, with a party going on downstairs, we both knew there was no other choice.

As if sensing my hesitation, Dane added, “I’ll meet you there.”

I nodded. I knew the coming hour would be the longest of my life.