Cruz glances over at me. Uncertainty creases his handsome features when he asks, "Are you having second thoughts about us?"

My eyes widen as I lift my head from his shoulder. "I mean..."

He waits for me to find my words. My gaze drops to my lap as I explain in mumbling tones, "Just because two people like each other doesn't mean they should date each other."

"Why not?"

I toss him a pointed look. "Because."

There's a troubled gleam in his green eyes. "You worried about what people will think?"

Hell, yes!

I counter, "Aren't you?"

A pensive look crosses his face. Cruz muses out loud, "What if..."

"What?" I prompt, glancing over to him.

He suggests quietly, "What if we keep everything between us a secret?"

"A... secret?" I repeat incredulously.

Cruz nods somewhat hesitantly. "Yeah, a secret. Otherwise, this shit might get messy. My dad can be kind of a control freak. I definitely don't want him to find out anything about us."

I grimace. "You dad definitely seems like he has some... issues."

"You have no idea," he mutters under his breath.

His tone sounds ominous as fuck. I want to know what Cruz is talking about in regards to Ron. I also want to know what happened to his mom and why she left them years ago.

However, before I'm able to ask Cruz to elaborate, he has already moved on. "Anyway, all that matters is that I like you, and you like me. The two of us should be able to do whatever the fuck we want together. It's no one's business but ours, anyway"

I sense that Cruz means well, but this totally sounds like a recipe for disaster. I frown. "Dude, I don't how to say this nicely. So I won't. But I'm not interested in being your secret side chick."

"Let me finish," Cruz fires back, "it's not like I'm interested in being your dirty, little secret, either."

I side-eye him, not really knowing where he's heading with this conversation. "So... what are you suggesting, exactly?"

"I just think that, maybe, we should lay low until the timing feels right. I want to be careful so no one gets hurt."

"Not sure if I'm ready to subscribe to this bullshit."

Frustration pinches his brow. "I swear I'm not trying to bullshit you. The last thing I want is to hide you away. I mean, if you insist on putting our feelings on blast for the whole world to see, I won't stop you."

"I'm not interested in putting us on blast," I mutter. "I have enough drama in my life, as is."

"That's why we need to be smart about this shit."

He's right. I can't let hormones get the better of me. I need to keep my head on straight. A pensive mood settles in. I already feel halfway defeated, and we haven't even kissed. Dating Cruz out in the open would be like dating the sun. He's too bright, too brilliant, and too good for me. In comparison, I'm a fucking nobody. I can already feel the white-hot resentment that the girls at school will be hurling my way if I steal their man.

A sigh falls from my lips. "This is giving me a headache. Maybe we should just be friends."

Without hesitation, he growls, "Do I look like I wanna be your fucking friend?"

Using sarcasm to distract from the ache in my chest, I offer, "We can still make out once in a while. I'll even let you cop a feel on your birthday. Tits. Or ass. Your pick."

"Fuck that shit." Cruz stares me dead in the eye and continues, "Look, Athena, I know what I'm suggesting isn't ideal. But it only has to stay this way for a while."

My gaze sharpens. "Define—a while."

"In a few months, I'll be eighteen and out of my dad's house. After graduation, there won't be anyone who can stop us from dating out in the open."

His admission catches me by surprise. Both eyebrows lift. "You'd still want me after graduation?"

"Fuck, yes."

I'm genuinely shocked. "Damn."

"The hell, Athena," he teases softly, "Were you planning to fuck and chuck me?"

Grinning, I fling back in cheeky tones, "Only if you were planning to pump and dump me."

"Whatever, you brat." Cruz blushes slightly. "All I know is that I like you. A lot. No one knows what the future will bring, but I really want to keep you by my side."

His words do something to my heart.

I like you a lot, too, Cruz.

Way more than I should.

I can't describe this feeling inside me because I've never felt it before. Fear bleeds into excitement. It compels me to say, "I guess I should stick around and see what might happen between us."

A smile tugs at his mouth. "Does that mean you're okay with keeping things quiet for now?"

Shyly, I murmur, "Guess so."

Cruz has a point. There's no reason to get his dad or my aunt or anyone else, for that matter, involved in our business. It's not like we're hurting people by liking each other. We don't owe the world an explanation. Might as well go with the flow and enjoy each other's company and let our hormones run their course.

Yes?

No?

Maybe?

To be honest, I'm extremely anxious about how we're supposed to handle this situation. There are so many unknowns and so many obstacles in front of us. My mind begins to panic a little. One major red flag pops up, like, whether or not I should tell Cruz about Persie and how I'm planning to move to New Jersey for my sister in a few months.

It's too soon, right?

For now, I decide to push aside this touchy topic. There's no point in mentioning these things to Cruz. It's too early for us to have such a serious talk about the future.

Although, the more I think about it, the more it seems inevitable for us to go our separate ways after high school. The possibility of losing Cruz is depressing as fuck, but, honestly, I don't know how we're supposed to stay together after we both turn eighteen.

I'm bound for New Jersey and Persie.

Cruz is bound for college.

I've heard him talk about applying to University of California, Los Angeles, University of Notre Dame, and University of Chicago.

None of these schools are anywhere near New Jersey.

These legit realities kill my happiness from minutes ago. A flicker of sadness and disappointment wrinkles my brow before I catch myself, quickly smoothing out my expression into something more pleasant and upbeat. But it's too late. My slip-up doesn't escape Cruz's notice.

As Cruz takes in my dismay, he appears a bit worried, prodding, "What are you thinking right now, Athena?"

A million doubts and hopes are buzzing through my mind, but I choose to focus on what matters most to me at the moment: I like Cruz. I like him so, so, so much. I don't want to let Cruz go before making him mine, even if I only get to have him for a few short months, I want to make the most out of our time together. I know I'll probably end up getting hurt, but I don't want to regret anything with this beautiful green-eyed boy. I'm willing to take the hit, to open up my heart for a world of pain, because—

YOLO!

Right?

Right.

My decision is set.

Cautiously, I clear my throat. "I guess it wouldn't be a bad idea—"

His green gaze locks onto me. Anxious. Intent. It seems what I'm about to say really matters to him.

My heart flutters with all sorts of nerves as I suck in a deep, steadying breath and force myself to take a leap of faith, "For us to take things slow and keep things quiet."

Cruz's breath hitches sharply. "Are you saying that you wanna be with me?"

I glance at him, nodding. "Yeah... I am."

An instant face-wide grin spreads across his gorgeous face as he hauls me into his arms. Cruz nuzzles my neck affectionately like a puppy dog. His sweetness practically melts me.

"Damn," he whispers against my cheek, "I know we're being dumbasses, but I'm so fucking happy that I don't really care."

I'm smiling like an idiot, too. "I don't care, either."

His hand slowly reaches over to cup my face. The moment his palm touches my skin, heat and pleasure flare inside me. My heart races with excitement. Our gazes linger in midair as he draws my face closer to his mouth. I hold my breath in anticipation.

He kisses me, then.

I gasp in delight as our lips touch. His mouth teases mine sweetly, so sweetly. Of course Cruz would be a good kisser. He's good at everything. He's fucking perfect. Hell, everything feels so fucking perfect that it makes me dizzy and giddy all at once.

I remember to keep the pressure light and gentle on his lips. I haven't forgotten the cut on his mouth. I don't want to hurt him. Unlike me, though, Cruz doesn't seem to care about his busted lip. He soon slips in some tongue. Our kiss deepens into something that tastes far less sweet and far more wicked. My hands begin to explore. My palms trail up his hard, solid chest. My arms wrap around his muscled shoulders, pulling him closer.

We're still sitting on his bed.

With a groan, Cruz's fingers dig into my hips as he draws me onto his lap. I straddle his thighs as we continue making out. I feel something large and hard rise up against my leg, pressing against my inner thigh. My guy is clearly turned on right now, and it's turning me on.

Grunting and moaning under my breath, I start rocking myself against his hardon. A sweet throb hits low in my belly. He starts grinding against me as well. Even with our clothes in the way as a barrier, the friction between us feels addicting as hell. The mattress keeps creaking in time with our movements. Our pleasure swells, singing a song that only we can hear. Soon, our movements grow increasingly desperate. Whatever we're doing isn't nearly enough. We both need more. So much more.

Cruz releases a husky, choked breath, "God, you don't know how long I've been waiting to feel you in my arms like this..."

Surprise cuts through my cloud of passion. "I thought you hated me before?"

He grumbles, "I hated how much I wanted you."

I rain a few kisses along Cruz's jaw and murmur flirtatiously against his cheek, "When did you start having these dirty thoughts about me?"

"Since the first time I saw you at school. It only got worse after you moved in."

A smug grin lights up my face. "Shit. Really?"

Cruz looks a bit sheepish. "You fucked me at first sight, Athena."

Shock and delight continually spike in me. "To be honest, you made me pretty hot and both—"

But I don't get to finish what I want to say.

Downstairs, I hear the front door swing open and slam shut with a violent bam,and our makeout sesh is interrupted by the bellowing of Ron's voice, "Get your ass down here, son! The school called me today. Why are you suspended? What the hell did you do to that Carlisle kid?"