The Boyfriend List (25 page)

Before she knew it, she’d stepped into the alcove and a
blanket of twinkling stars spread out above her. It was no less magical the
second time she’d seen it, but she couldn’t help the little twinge in her
stomach that something was missing.

No, not something, she reminded herself. Some
one
. There was a little part of her that
half expected to find him here, and she imagined that it was her subconscious
desire to see him that had led her to this spot. She felt closer to him here,
to the memory of what they’d shared here, without having to make herself
vulnerable to him completely.

As she spent several long minutes breathing deeply of the
cool night air, and allowing it to clear her mind, she made the decision to
call Ian first thing in the morning. There was no reason why a friendship as
special as theirs, and a love as strong as theirs could be, should be ruined
over one misunderstanding. It wasn’t that she needed him, she didn’t
need
any man really. But she very much
wanted him to be in her life. And she was being ridiculous and scared and had
blamed him for the faults of so many other people. It was time to stop all that
and be a different person.

Her resolution firm, Reagan stood to start making her way
back, but she stopped dead in her tracks when a shadow moved in front of her.

“You’re the last person I thought I’d find here.”

Her breath caught in her throat as Ian stepped from the
shadows, his broad shoulders slumped in what could only be uncertainty as he
gauged her reaction, looking over every inch of her. No doubt he was waiting
for her to yell, to cry, to have some sort of dramatic reaction. But he was
there. And he was alone. And she’d never been quite so happy to see anyone as
she was in that moment.

“Where you expecting to see anyone at all?” She could barely
force the whisper from her lips.

“No.” He was half smirking, half laughing as he uttered the
word. It seemed to relax him, and he thrust his hands deep into his pocket
before stepping forward. “No one knows about this place except you. But I
didn’t think you’d ever come here again.”

There it was, that tilt of his chin that she’d always found
so damn appealing. “Why not?” She still couldn’t move, and the closer he came
to her, the more frozen she felt. Not because she was rigid with anger or fear
or uncertainty. Rather, it seemed to be her only way of stopping herself from
falling into his arms now that they were so close.

“I thought you were still mad at me. You haven’t been
answering my calls.” He stepped forward again, and now she could feel the heat
radiating from his body. It warmed the center of her, and she closed her eyes,
breathing deeply before speaking again. She didn’t want to have this
conversation. She just wanted to fast-forward through the awkwardness, to the
part where he was holding her again, kissing her again.

“No, I’m not mad. Petra told me what really happened.”

“Then what’s going on?”

“I guess I’ve been scared. And a little embarrassed. And I’m
not really sure what to do with all that.”

“Look, Reagan.” He was standing right next to her now, his
hand gliding casually up and down her arm in soothing strokes. “It was a
mistake for me to even talk to her last night, I’ll own that. But I learn from
my mistakes, and I don’t repeat them. I promise nothing like that will ever
happen again.” He was laughing to himself at the memory now. “I think I made it
pretty clear to everyone in the room that you’re the only one I’m interested in
anyway. I doubt anyone else would try something like that. Not for a long
time.”

Reagan found herself smiling as well, she couldn’t help it.
But she also knew he was right. She could feel it in her gut that she could
trust him, that it had all been a misunderstanding. Hell, even Petra had
vouched for him, and she was as fiercely loyal as a friend could be.

“I love you Reagan. I’ve never felt like this with anyone
before,” He cupped the side of her face gently with his hand, stroking the side
of her cheek with his thumb until she felt her insides all but melt. “and I
don’t want to lose you over something so stupid.”

“You won’t.” She reassured. “You haven’t.” And she pulled at
his hand until it was wrapped around her waist, until their bodies were pressed
together and their foreheads met in a simple acknowledgement. What passed
between their eyes under the intensity of their gaze spoke more than their
words would ever be able to convey, but somehow they understood each other in
those moments and there was nothing more that needed to be said.

With lips just barely apart, Reagan’s breath was coming as
fast as her heartbeat until she was dizzy with the sensation and could no
longer think. But she could feel her center warming, burning as his grip
tightened around her body, as his hands began to search. Then his mouth crushed
over hers, and every emotion flooded through her. She met his force, no longer
able to hold back, as she nipped at his lip and took them deeper. By the time
they resurfaced, they were both breathless with need, but the top of the stadium
wasn’t exactly the ideal place. Not when it meant this much to her.

Instead, she pushed him back in a teasing sort of way and
laughed. “Come on, let’s go.”

“Think I can get you back into my apartment this time?”

She turned back on him, mouth open in feigned insult, to see
a mischievous glimmer alighting his entire face. “Don’t count on it buddy.
You’re going to have to try a little harder than that!”

“Is that a dare?” Though he was laughing, there was a depth
to his voice that suggested his intent. It trembled inside her, anticipation
rising until it all but paralyzed at her again. Before she could answer, he’d
swung her up into his arms, cradling her against his chest. She let out a
little squeal despite herself. “I’d do anything for you. You know that, right?”

Reagan smiled up at him, and threw her arms around his neck.
“Maybe.” She teased, but everything about her expression was a confident
yes
.

“Good.” Then he gave her a gentle peck on the tip of her
nose, and placed her on her feet again. Intertwining his fingers with hers, he
lead her out of the stadium, and across the lawn, where he went about
attempting to win that dare...

Other titles
available by R.S Novelle/ Renee Novelle

Calculated,
Discovered Series Book #1

Driven,
Discovered Series Book #2

Reflections

Upcoming
titles by R.S. Novelle/Renee Novelle

Thrillers-

Speak of the
Devil (2014)

Avenged,
Discovered Series Book #3 (2014)

The Amulet
(2014)

White
Butterflies (2014)

The Seventh
Second (2014)

Women’s Fiction/New Adult-

Go With It
(2014)

Paradise
Coast (2014)

The Decoy
(2014)

The Game
(2014)

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the loop with current releases and other news by subscribing to my newsletter:

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Formerly
a freelance journalist, Novelle has found placement of her pieces in both
online and print publications since 2008. Additionally, she has written
multiple screenplays, and contributed her writing to many non-profit and for
profit organizations. She has launched several blogs over the years, which
garnered international attention.

In
2013, Novelle returned to her first love – fiction. Writing under the
names Renee Novelle and R.S. Novelle, she has a publication schedule that
includes Psychological Thrillers, Suspense, Paranormal Fiction, Contemporary
Women’s fiction, Chick Lit, and New Adult.

Though
she received her Bachelor’s of Science in Communication,
summa cum laude
, she considers herself a constant student of the
written word. She’s an avid reader, an enthusiastic quote poster, and rarely
takes “no” as a final answer. She has an unhealthy obsession for theater,
dance, music and art, and strongly believes that wine is simultaneously the
beginning of, and resolution to, all of life’s problems. She believes in
following dreams, and that in the end, you always end up where you meant to be.

You can find out more about
her books and connect with her here:

Website:
www.RSNovelle.com

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https://www.goodreads.com/RSNovelle

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