The Kissing Challenge - Cookie O'Gorman Page 0,11

than impressed, but Dorothy wasn't done.

"Any chance we could get the kiss part two?" she asked with a wink.

Knight held up his hand. "I second that."

"Come on," I said, trying to laugh it off. "I don't think—"

"Third," Liam said, and my eyes shot to his. They were intense as usual, but I thought I could see a bit of amusement there. "Why don't you remind us what made it so hot?"

Gwen, who'd only known us for like five seconds, said, "I don't need proof. And I don't believe it. Kissing your friend sounds lame to me."

She threw a smile my way.

"No offense," she said.

"None taken," I muttered.

"I bet you ten dollars that you're wrong," Liam said to Gwen.

"About what?" she asked.

"Whether it can be hot or not. Kissing your best friend."

She laughed, but Liam didn't seem like he was joking.

"I'll put another ten on top of that," Knight piped up.

"Guys," I said, "come on. This is silly."

But Jake said, "I've got a ten, too."

Why, oh why were we even having this discussion? It wasn't like Captain and I could just kiss again in front of all these people. That would take a miracle. Plus, everyone who'd followed the band over now seemed to be listening in on the conversation. A few of them were with Gwen and cheered her on, saying not to back down, to take the bet.

"Me, too," Dorothy said and raised her eyebrow at her friend. "I know you're good for it, Gwen. Put your money where your mouth is."

Gwen shook her head like they were all crazy. I felt the need to as well. How had it escalated this quickly? And why wasn't Captain saying anything? Maybe he was as shocked by this turn of events as I was.

"I've got another twenty," Brandon said quietly.

Liam looked to him. "And which way are you betting?"

He looked first at Cap then at me then his gaze landed back on Liam. "That it can be just as hot again."

Liam gave his shoulder a pat and turned to Gwen. "That's sixty. Are you in or not?"

This girl didn't seem like the type to back down, especially when she had her supporters in the little crowd that'd gathered. "Fine," she said. "Whatever. You have a bet. Sixty bucks says you kissing your best friend can't be anything but lame."

Captain took a few steps closer. He lowered his voice, but what he said surprised me.

"Are you good with this?" he asked.

My eyes met his. "Are you?"

"Yeah…but only if you want to, Anne."

Wow, what to say to that?

I swallowed past the lump in my throat and said, "Sure. It's just a kiss, right?"

Captain hummed low in his throat. As his hands came up to cup my face, I felt my breath catch. His touch was warm, but it was his eyes that got to me the most. They were lit with something I couldn't name and focused entirely on me. I had the urge to look away. My nerves told me a second kiss could be nothing but trouble. But at the same time, I wanted to live in that gaze forever.

His face came closer until we were only a breath a part.

"Ready?" he said.

I nodded. I was past ready.

"You're not having second thoughts, right?" Each word from Captain's lips hit mine with a little puff of air. Every time it happened it felt like a tease. His closeness made me quiver—and his lips hadn't even touched me yet. "Because if you are, it's okay. We don't have to prove anything to these people."

"Captain?" I breathed and licked my lips.

His eyes followed the movement. "Yeah?"

"Can you kiss me now?" I said. "Please?"

"I thought you'd never ask," he murmured.

Cap's lips were on me in the next heartbeat.

He didn't sit still like last time either. Captain made sure our bodies were pressed together as tight as they could be. My legs instantly turned to jelly, but it was okay because one of his arms was suddenly around my waist. The other still cupped my cheek. My fingers dug into his shirt, pulling him impossibly closer and refusing to let go.

This second kiss was just as amazing as the first. But there was no surprise, only yearning. Our lips moved together, never completely parting even for an instant. I met Captain's heat with my own, and we melted together.

Forgetting about the bet and the people surrounding us, he kissed me like he couldn't get enough. And I knew I'd always want more of him.

Catcalls and whistling