Hooked (Harlequin Teen) by Fichera Liz

Author:Fichera, Liz [Fichera, Liz]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Published: 2013-01-31T23:00:00+00:00

Chapter 29

Fred

I DIDN’T KNOW what time it was when I headed back home across the desert, but it was late enough for the moon to have dropped behind the Estrella Mountains.

It wasn’t easy convincing Ryan to let me walk home either. It was barely a mile, I assured him, compared to at least twenty if we drove all the way down Pecos Road, got back onto the freeway and then drove another ten miles onto the Rez off the next freeway exit. It would have been like driving in a complete circle when all you really needed to do was walk to the center.

“Let me at least drive you through the desert, then?” he insisted as we leaned together against the hood of his car. “My Jeep can handle it. It’s four-wheel drive.”

“No. If the Tribal Police catch you, they’ll arrest you for trespassing.” That was only partly true, although I made it sound as if there was an army of Tribal Police patrol cars on the Rez when really only a handful existed. What I wanted to avoid was introducing Ryan to my most assuredly drunk mother. There was no telling what she would say if she caught us on the doorstep. Ryan would have been as out of place at our trailer as a stretch limousine.

Despite my protests, Ryan insisted on keeping his headlights shining over the desert as I walked back home. Halfway through the desert when I stopped to look over my shoulder, I could still see his headlights, a reminder that we were connected by a beam of light and his concern. The headlights were as bright as stars. I kept glancing over my shoulder, watching them, until they turned the size of fireflies. I had a crazy stupid happy grin on my face the whole way home.

When I finally got home, the house was so quiet that I could hear the reliable tick of the second hand on the stove clock in the kitchen. I crept into my bedroom, barely letting the screen door squeak. In the darkness, I looked up at the sky from my bedroom window, still smiling. When the curtain fluttered, I was treated to a blanket of stars. Just like I always did, I found the Big Dipper. Then the Little.

As I gazed out the window, my fingertips brushed over my mouth, cheeks, neck, all the places that still tingled from Ryan’s kisses and warm hands. His fingers, like his kisses, were gentle and curious. Nothing like I expected. When I closed my eyes, I could still see him, feel him, his arms wrapped around me, his hands pressed against my skin, mine against his, exploring each other. When I kissed Ryan Berenger, I swear I saw more stars than all the stars in the sky.

I vowed that I would never forget this day—this night—for as long as my ancestors allowed me to live.

It had been the happiest, most perfect day. And it had happened when I least expected it.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.