Page 61 of Time To Learn

“Just an anchor,” he answers. I glance into his eyes, and immediately lean away when I notice the intensity as he stares back atme.

I swallow the lump in my throat, silently ordering the butterflies wreaking havoc on my insides to settle down. Kristian smiles at me, and at the sight of his dimples, I bite mylip.

“It’s pretty,” I whisper, my breath hitching.

“Aren’t you going to ask me how many tats I’ve got?” he laughs.

Oh, no, definitelynot.

“Or if I have any piercings?”

I blink.

“What? You mean, you do?” I gape athim.

As he winks at me, his smile deepens. He’s enjoying this far toomuch.

“I do. Three, to be exact.”

“But…where?” I frown at him, completelylost.

He bends his head and whispers in my ear. “All in places you won’t see unless we’re naked. Or kissing.”

What?!

“Oh, boy,” I whisper, overcome as tingles shoot all over mybody.

His arms squeeze me once as he lifts his head, and I gasp at the naughty glint in his eyes as they meet mine again. He must know that I’m dying to ask him where they are, but I can’t give in. I nibble on my lips, forcing myself to stop blurting out the question.

“You have to stop flirting with me,” I warn him. “Otherwise, this friendship thing won’t ever work betweenus.”

He nods once, a sheepish glint in hiseyes.

“I’m kind of drunk, so I can’t exactly be held responsible for whatever comes out of my mouth rightnow.”

“Oh,” I mouth at him. Somehow, it had slipped my mind that Kristian’s been drinking all night, too.

I have a good imagination, and, right now, I need to get home and get my bullet out. No longer sleepy at all, I’m yearning to get some relief.

Must. Stop. Drooling.

I have to say something. Grasping at straws, my eyes dart everywhere only to settle on Kristian’s again when my mind comes up blank. He quirks an eyebrow, but I just shake my head at him. Finally, I manage to tear my eyes away from his and look over my shoulder. I breathe a long sigh of relief as I see Alex is walking towards us, an arm around Trish’s waist.

“Just had something to settle,” Trish laughs at me as they draw nearer.

Confused, I narrow my eyes at her as I step out of Kristian’s embrace. I try my best to ignore the way his fingers trail down my arm, as if he’s as reluctant to let me go as I am him, but I push the feelings aside. Trish grins as she hands me my jacket, looking awfully smug. Her lips are swollen, and as I take in the intimate glance she gives Alex, understanding fills me. It makes even more sense when I notice the smirk on his face as he looks down ather.

“Isee.”

I turn to Kristian, unsure of the correct way to tell him goodbye. Do I hug him? Kiss his cheek?

No. No kissing. Bad, badidea.

He takes a step closer and takes myhand.

“Are you sure you’ll beokay?”

Warmth settles around my heart at his concern.