Sunlight

Chapter Ten

Just Can't Get Enough // Depeche Mode

Kyra

Pete's fingers travel across my waist and around to my back. His lips continue nipping against mine but it's not enough.

Having his arms around me is my literal teenage fantasy. I daydreamed about him doing exactly this anytime he was at the house with Jeff. I kept dark sunglasses on when we swam in the pool so I could sneak looks over at Pete, his abs on display wet and glistening in the sunlight. I imagined he'd look over at me, not be able to hold himself back, and rush over to take me in his arms.

By the time I kissed him in this cabin, on this very couch, I'd built him up to be the ultimate dream-come-true. And it was better than my daydreams. Nothing could compare. Here we are, now, back where it all started, and I have no interest in holding back. I've held back long enough.

I press my mouth harder against his. My fingers thread into his hair and pull. I guess I pull harder than I intend to because Pete flinches.

"Sorry." I manage to get the apology out even as I grip the back of his head, manhandling him.

"Baby," he mutters. I only barely register that he's speaking to me rather than making a declaration of passion. But it doesn't stop me. He's still kissing me. I've got the back of his head in one hand. My other wraps around his bicep trying to move it around my back in a tighter hold. But Pete is stubborn and reaches up to grip my shoulders, pushing me away.

"Ky, wait."

He gets my attention with this rejection. I lean back, panting. Disappointed. I avert my eyes, looking at the rise and fall of his chest. He's panting too. It couldn't have been that bad.

"Look at me."

I shake my head. "I can't."

"I didn't reject you."

"You literally did. You pushed me away and told me to stop."

"No, I said wait, not stop." He tips my chin up with his finger. "I only wanted to beg you to let me take you upstairs so we can lock the door. Just in case everyone comes back. This crew has a tendency to walk in on couples in the act."

I wince. "Oh, right." I'm as embarrassed about misreading him as I was when I thought he was rejecting my advances. But I do recall all of us walking into the cabin when Micah and his girlfriend, Charlie–short for Charlotte–first got together. Also up here in Salt Creek.

"I just realized how many of us got together up here. There must be something in the Salt Creek water." I laugh.

"You're just realizing that now? I was petrified to make another trip up here knowing the legends. Every time I'm up here some new couple gets together."

"You were afraid to get together with me?" I admit I'm pouting, but his admission stings. I was afraid to see him thinking he wouldn't want to be with me and I'd be hurt all over again."

"No, baby. I was scared to death you'd be up here with some guy and I'd have to watch you take a turn at falling in love."

I soften at his vulnerable admission. "Same. I wouldn't have been able to handle you up here with a girl. Or watching you meet some floozy for a mountain fling."

He rubs a hand along my cheek. "No one else could ever compare to you. You win. There's no other competition, Ky."

I lean in to kiss him. We get caught up in each other again but before I'm able to shove Pete against the couch and take things further, he pulls back, grunts something unintelligible and slides me off his lap. I don't have time to say a word before he's on his feet and tossing me over his shoulder. Pete hauls me up the stairs and to his room at the end of the hall where he deposits me on the bed with a gentle toss. I bounce on the mattress with a giggle as he throws himself on top of me.