Fearless by Marianne Curley

seems to radiate from inside him. Fractionally after this, it’s the pressure of his lips, strangely, unexpectedly soft. They brush mine with the unobtrusive feel of lush silk pillows.
    But now the heat from his face is like an inferno, smothering me. It takes all my self-control not to shove him away and splash cold water over my head. He increases the pressure and his lips grow firmer and more demanding against my closed mouth.
    If Luca deepens this kiss, I will gag. If he pushes my lips apart, I’ll … I’ll … I’m not sure exactly, but biting his lip comes to mind. So it’s just as well for his sake that he doesn’t, but his mouth stays on mine for what feels like a very long time, growing firmer and hotter. So hot that blisters form, quickly heal and form again.
    It’s not that he’s a bad kisser. There’s gentleness, and that surprises me. He’s definitely skilled in the art of seduction,there’s no doubting that, and that scares me more than a little.
    But he’s not Nathaneal. When Nathaneal kisses me, his tender warmth spreads through my whole body and I want nothing more than to melt into him.
    Nathaneal’s lips are the only ones I want on mine, certainly not his archenemy’s.
    When Luca finally lifts his mouth off mine, he does it slowly while watching me like a hawk, as if he’s seeking the precise moment to pounce. My mouth is tinder dry, and without thinking of consequences, only my basic need, I whip my tongue tip out and moisten my lips.
    But this is what Luca is watching for. He swoops back down, his tongue poised between his lips, catching me unawares. The intimacy shocks me and I gasp, shooting my breath around his tongue and into his mouth. Without giving me a chance to inhale much-needed air, he fastens his mouth over mine again, this time taking full advantage of his surprise tactic. He scalds the inside of my mouth with his tongue as he pushes into sensitive areas. I try to pull away, but his hand snakes into my hair, locking my face to his like a prisoner inside a jail cell.
    The crowd goes insane, hooting and whistling and cheering wildly, while my stomach rolls over on itself and my head spins with oxygen withdrawal. I try to draw air in through my nose but the state of my nerves doesn’t allow me nearly enough.
    I’m almost out of air, but I would rather pass out in front of billions of people than draw from his lungs. I smack my palms against his shoulders repeatedly, until he finally gets itand lifts his head.
    I gulp in air as if I’ve been drowning. Luca watches me, his chest rising and falling with his own deep breaths, an unreadable expression on his face.
    Meanwhile, the tumultuous applause of the massive crowd seeps into my head. Dazed by the lack of oxygen, I allow Luca to turn me towards them. I grip the balustrade in front of me with both hands.
    Slowly the faces below become clearer, and that look in their eyes I’ve been trying to decipher finally dawns on me. The knowledge of what it is makes me go weak at the knees.
    Thinking I might faint, Luca swings his arm around my waist and pulls me against him.
    The crowd’s cheers incredibly grow louder, and that look in their eyes intensifies, which only makes me feel sicker in the stomach.
    I hate Luca for putting me in this position, even more than I did already. What am I supposed to do now? But this … this shouldn’t make any difference. I don’t have any obligation to these people. It won’t change my plans. I won’t let it.
    I raise my hand, wave and even offer a small smile, something I never dreamed I would do.
    But how can I ignore that look in their eyes?
    That poignant, pitiful expression of hope.

11
    Jordan
    It’s just as well I don’t have far to drive. In my mood I’d probably take a sharp bend too fast, hit a few trees before soaring into open air to crash head first into rocks on the valley