I nodded. “Sure.”
I wasn’t born yesterday, so I knew Nate wasn’t really offering me a tour. He was just trying to draw me away from the crowded party so we could spend some time together in private. I didn’t mind, though. He was nice, and his good looks didn’t hurt either.
“Cool. Let’s go.” He offered me a hand and led me toward the stairs.
I briefly turned my head and found Jax’s eyes across the room again, not even knowing why I did it. As usual, he was already looking right at me, jaw clenched and eyes slightly narrowed.
For a second, I couldn’t move, as if the ice in his gaze had frozen me solid. Even though I couldn’t stand him, I had to admit he was one of the most gorgeous guys I’d ever laid eyes on. A tiny, irrational part of my brain even wished it was him taking me upstairs instead of Nate.
“Kinsey?” Nate tapped me on the shoulder. “Why’d you stop?”
I tore my eyes away from Jax and turned around. “Sorry. I, uh… I was just looking to see where my friend went.”
“Erin? I think I saw her kissing some guy on the deck a few minutes ago.”
“Oh. Sounds like she’s having fun, then.”
Nate grinned. “It definitely looked like it. Anyway, come on. I want to show you something.”
He led me to an enormous picture window on the second floor. “This is my favorite view,” he said, pressing one hand on the glass.
I could see why. Outside, the moon and stars shone brightly over the ocean, making the water shimmer like a million diamonds were bobbing on the surface.
“It’s beautiful,” I replied, moving a little closer to Nate. He smelled like woodsmoke and leather; so masculine it made me want to swoon.
“The view from my room is pretty nice, too,” he said. “You can see the best part of our beach from there.”
“Ourbeach?” I replied, forehead wrinkling. “As in, your family owns the whole thing?”
“Yeah.” Nate grinned. “I’ll have to take you down there and show you during the day. Maybe sometime after school next week?”
“Sounds good.”
“It’s even better in summer. You’ll see.” He took my hand and squeezed it. “Anyway, do you want to see it from my room?”
“Sure.”
He led me up to the third floor and opened a door at the far end of the hall. His room was big but pretty typical for a teenage boy—dark blue duvet on the bed, TV on the wall, clothes strewn haphazardly around a hamper on one side, and a large desk with two monitors and a black and red computer chair in front of it.
“Sorry. I haven’t cleaned up in here for a while,” he said with a bashful smile. “I wasn’t expecting to have anyone in here tonight.”
“Anyone?” I said in a teasing tone, arching a brow.
“Not just anyone.You,” he said, wrapping his arms around my waist again. “I wasn’t sure if you were coming or not. I’m really glad you did, though.”
“Me too.”
He pulled back a little and looked off to one side, raking a hand through his sandy hair. “Can I tell you a secret?” he asked, suddenly sounding shy.
“Is it that you didn’t really bring me up here to check out the view?” I replied, cocking my head.
He chuckled. “No. But thatistrue, to be fair. I just wanted to be alone with you.”
“So… what’s the secret, then?”
His eyes dropped to my mouth. “I’ve wanted to kiss you all night,” he said. Before I could reply, he lifted a palm. “Wait, no. That’s not entirely true.”
“It’s not?”