Page 13 of Princess and Country

Jumping to my feet, I hurried outside, craving some fresh air and needing a high dose of oxygen through my bloodstream to keep my brain going.

I fanned my hand before my face as my feet landed on the pavement.

I kicked the air, releasing the tension in the crotch of my pants. Even my body was sensitive to Dahlia Ellis’s beauty and charm.

What was I supposed to do now?

I paced the driveway, talking to myself, urging my body to calm down.

My thoughts swirled back to her. Over and over. Her face was etched on my mind. Everywhere I looked, she appeared before my eyes. Her scent had left a permanent mark in my lungs. Everything smelled like her. And I was pretty sure if I tasted her lips, her flavor would linger on mine until the day I died.

With my fingers laced on my nape and my elbows opened wide on each side, I tilted my head, looking at the blue sky.

If rain poured on me, would it wash away all my dirty thoughts? Would it reset my senses?

I sighed. Nothing could be powerful enough to erase my crush. Dahlia Ellis lived in my heart. She existed under my skin. Her essence was in my soul, her touch engraved on mine. My eyes yearned to see her; my arms belonged around her. We fitted, she and I, like the halves of a whole. Every time we brushed against one another, it validated what I already knew deep inside me. I loved her.

My heart ached. My spine tingled. I darted my tongue out to moisten my dry lips.

I breathed out, and peace settled inside me. My body relaxed. Sorta.

Not in the mood to face either Carter or Dahlia again tonight, I climbed into my truck and drove away.

I dialed my friend, Brendan. “Hey, man. Meet me at Milwaukee Park in fifteen. Bring a football or something, I need to vent.”

I hung up and called another number.

“Hey, Mom. I won’t make it to dinner. Don’t wait for me, I’m going out.”

“Is everything all right, Jeffrey?”

“Yeah. Everything is perfectly fine.”

Bullshit. Nothing was fine. How long could I survive this?