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cell
phone.
    "Hello?"
    "Where are you? I've been looking
for you everywhere."
    "Oh, hey Felipe. I'm hanging out
with Annie."
    "Really? Cool." I could hear the
smile in his voice. "You guys hungry? Me and Jax are
starving."
    "Sure. Let's go out to
eat."
    Annie beamed across the coffee
table from me, her eyes shining like supernovas and her heart
pounding so loud I'm sure they could hear it down the
hall.
    "Awesome. Meet us at the
garage."
    I hung up and Annie jumped up,
squealing and dancing like a twelve-year-old girl who just found
out some famous pop singer would be coming to town. I helped her
get ready quickly, then we headed to the garage for our
double-date.

 
    FIVE
     
    We had a splendid dinner and
afterward we headed to a night club where we danced until the sun
began to raise its sleepy head. Then we raced it home, Felipe's
driving barely winning the contest. We stumbled, laughing, from the
car. Jax was staying in the human dormitory, which was located on
the other side of the dining hall, but he walked Annie to her room
first. She invited him in and Felipe and I laughed as the door shut
behind them before heading back to my room. We stood at the door,
as we typically did. The only time he had ever entered was that day
months ago when we had to go take out Victoria's captor.
    "So, Jax and Annie seem to really
be hitting it off," he said, leaning against the door jamb with his
classic smirk creeping across his face.
    "Indeed they do. They make a
really cute couple." I leaned against the inside of the door frame
next to him. For some reason, I felt uncomfortable with him for the
first time in months. My nails suddenly seemed more interesting and
I focused on them, picking at one to try to make it
straighter.
    "Jane..."
    I bit my lip and looked up. His
eyes were dark, smoldering, beautiful. He watched my face, his lips
slightly parted. I could hear his breathing, slow, steady, and
deep, like he was regulating it consciously. My heart thudded in my
chest, almost painfully. I felt my breath catch and my skin burn.
My mind was a chaotic mess, but my body took charge. Slipping a
hand behind his neck, I leaned against him, balancing on the balls
of my feet, and pressed my lips to his.
    He didn't respond at first and I
almost freaked out. For several very terrifying moments, I
envisioned locking myself in my room and never leaving. Then I felt
his passion mirror mine and his arms slipped around my waist. Both
of my hands were on him now, my fingers gliding through his hair. I
leaned into him, craving his touch. His tongue passed over my lips
and they parted. I backed into my room, dragging Felipe with
me.
    He took a step forward, then
jerked back, pulling away. "No, Jane. Wait."
    My heart plummeted to the bottom
of my stomach. Dejection rolled over me and my breath grew short. I
turned from him, clapping my hand over my mouth. How could I have
been so stupid? I reached behind me, fumbling for the door. As I
attempted to swing it shut, his hand stopped it. He stepped into
the room, grabbing my arm.
    "Jane, stop, please."
    I turned to face him. Tears had
formed in my eyes and I could barely see him through the red blur.
He brought a hand up to my cheek, his thumb wiping away a tear that
had been jarred loose.
    "Silly Jane."
    He smiled, his eyes amused and
gentle. He slipped his arms around me, pulling me close. I pressed
my face against his chest. As my heart and breathing slowed, I
laughed. I hadn't been stupid to begin with, but I sure felt like
it now. He held me tight, kissing my hair. Once I had calmed down,
he pulled away slightly, cupping my chin and lifting my gaze to
his. His lips pressed briefly to mine, their warmth racing through
me like an addictive drug.
    "Jane," he said, pulling back once
more. "I want you. I hope you know that. I've wanted you since the
day I saw you. But I'm... We..." I could see him fumbling over the
words and he bit his lip in frustration. "Let's take it slow, huh?
I don't want to rush this