Kiss Me Katie (Complete)

Chapter 21

Katie

I gazed into Riley's eyes in awe at his unexpected words. He'd used the same ploy I'd used on him to make me feel better about my past, and damned if it hadn't worked. I'd never even considered it from that point of view. I may have allowed Mark to ruin last year, refusing to attend the Year Ten formal, or any of the parties to celebrate the end of the school year. But I hadn't let what he did stop me from following my dreams and coming to Crescendo. I smiled as some of the pain dissolved. Maybe I could crawl out of the hole I'd been living in and move on after all.

Riley's eyes warmed when he saw my smile, and I sighed as he leaned over to brush his lips over mine. The kiss was sweet, and gentle, nothing like the other toe-curling kisses we'd shared, but it was perfect. I shivered when he lifted his head and gazed into my eyes, the baby-blue a little darker than usual. "So... any more secrets we need to share?"

Damnit. This was where I should be telling him about my Dad. I wanted to trust him, to believe it wouldn't make a difference, but Mark's cruel words echoed in my head... if it wasn't for the fame and fortune her Daddy's gonna bring us, I could have a real girlfriend. Nope, I wasn't ready to share that yet.

Instead... I deflected. "Hmmm... let's see. I wanted to be a prima-ballerina when I was eight until I realised I was too chubby for the cute costumes."

Riley chuckled. "I wanted to be an astronaut until I was ten, but then I went on a plane for the first time and had to use the sick bag."

I giggled — totally unashamedly... maturity was so over-rated — my heart skipping a beat at Riley's playful banter. His ability to disprove everything I'd ever believed about myself made me feel beautiful... and wanted.

Please don't let him be acting.

Riley brushed my hair back off my forehead, his touch gentle and feather soft. I shivered as he ran his hand down its length, wrapping the ends of a few strands around his finger. "So... I was thinking."

I grinned. "Sounds dangerous."

Riley chuckled and tugged on the strands of hair. "Be wery wery careful... "

"Why... we huntin' wabbits?"

I sucked in a breath as Riley threw his head back and laughed. He looked so happy, and carefree. I loved knowing I had that effect on him. A rare surge of contentment flooded through me. Until I noticed we'd drawn the attention of a group of girls sitting nearby, as well as another two walking past. They were all staring wide-eyed at the laughing god-like man in their midst.

That laughing man who'd chosen me!

And then the bubble burst with a sickening pop.

"Did you see the fat chick he's with? Man... what a waste..." The voice of one of the passing gorgeous, size eight girls was like an arrow straight to my heart.

My world imploded. I couldn't breathe. Who was I kidding? I couldn't date someone like Riley. It didn't matter that he was everything I'd ever wanted in a guy. He would always be one of the-beautiful-people, and I could never survive in that world.

Jumping up from the blanket, I started gathering our rubbish, not wanting Riley to see the tears in my eyes and praying he hadn't heard the girl's nasty words. I just needed to get back to my room. Now!

"Hey." Riley had moved to stand behind me, his warm breath against my ear. His arms slipped around my waist, pulling me back against his chest. I closed my eyes and leaned into him, trying to resurrect that happy, carefree feeling we'd shared. But seriously, what was the point? This... us... was never going to work.