In Between the Lines

Chapter 22: To Break a Rule (Part 2)

In the moment just before his lips met mine, Dez became the only thing that existed for me. His eyes might have reflected the sun, but Dez . . . he was the sky that held them. And I was ready—finally ready to let myself get lost in the universe that he was.

But a cold hand on my shoulder dragged me back to the earth before I could.

"Break it up, you two. You know the rules. No PDA in school."

I spun around only to come face to face with one of the history teachers, Mr. Chapman, who'd somehow broken through the crowd and was now standing in front of me and Dez with his arms folded over his chest, a frown of disapproval peeking through his gray beard.

My cheeks flamed. "Mr. Chapman—"

He held up a hand and silenced me as he turned to the rest of the crowd, who was still watching us like hawks. "Move along everyone. Get to where you need to be."

Behind him, I watched Jonny's smile widen.

Dez's jaw tightened as he stared down the teacher, and helpless to do anything else, I peeled myself away from him. I was keenly aware of every eye on us. Dez hadn't moved from where he stood, but I forced my steps—willing one heavy foot in front of the other as I put some space between us.

But then I heard that voice say, "No."

I paused.

"Sorry, Mr. Chapman." I glanced over my shoulder to find Dez shaking his head, his fiery gaze locking on me as he said, "But I've gotta show this damned school who my girl is."

The last thing I saw was Mr. Chapman's eyes widen before Dez closed the space between us, blocking the teacher—and everyone else for that matter—out of view. He took my face in his hands and gave me a roguish grin, the glorious dimples in his cheeks deepening as he said, "You didn't think you were off the hook, did you?"

And then he kissed me.

I froze at the first brush of his lips against mine, the sudden contact leaving me entirely breathless.

His lips were soft and warm, and he let out what sounded like a sigh of relief as I leaned into his touch and kissed him back. Though it was gentle, there was something in that kiss that burned like a living flame. And Dez might have tried to pull back—leave it at just one kiss. After all, that was all we needed to show everyone that we were serious—or at least serious enough that we were willing to make a spectacle of ourselves together. But at that first taste of him, somehow I knew . . . I'd never have enough. Already, my body screamed for more—

So I didn't let him pull back.

I felt Dez's body go tight as my fingers moved up to his shirt, pulling him closer to me, but as I moved my lips against his, demanding, pushing, pleading—a low noise escaped him. One of his hands fell to the small of my back, fingers pushing in as he held me tighter—and then his mouth was suddenly moving against mine, burning me, claiming me with equal hunger.

I barely heard the howls and whistles that erupted around us; all I could hear was the way every crashing beat of my heart had shouted Dez's name, how every breath echoed the words that I'd always known but hadn't yet built up the courage to admit.

His body trembled, as if he could hear the words as clearly as I did, but as soon as I felt the first dizzying brush of his tongue against my lips, I was suddenly left with cold air—as Dez was yanked back by one of the security guards in the hall.

It took me a moment to realize that the growl that sounded as he was pulled back came from my throat.

"What don't you two understand about no PDA?" I heard Mr. Chapman hiss.