Faded (Rock Star Trilogy)

happening between usisn't just some high school romance. This is the real thing. Are you sure you’re ready for it?”
    “Stephan, I…” love , “…really like you. More than I've ever liked anybody, ever. And maybe it's too soon to feel this strongly about you, but I don't care. And even if you break my heart, I know it will be worth every second of pain. What we have is a once in a lifetime kind of thing.”
    I never believed in soul mates until I met him. But it’s true he is the other piece of me. If we broke up, I would never find somebody that completes me like Stephan Montgomery.
    “I'm not going to break your heart.” He's very confident in his statement. “And by the way, I…” He pauses, and I am literally holding my breath .“… really like you too.”
    I feel kind of sad. Did I really expect him to say he loves me? He told me he wasn't going to say that to anybody, except his future wife. And we are too young to think like that.
    “What are you thinking?” he asks, curiously.
    I take a deep breath and look up at him. I want to tell him, but I don’t think I can. I just shrug my shoulders. “I’m just thinking how happy I am to be back.”
    “I've known you long enough to know that something is wrong. I can see sadness in your pretty blue eyes. Just tell me.”
    I shake my head.
    So badly I want to tell him that I love him, because I do. But I'm not going to say it to somebody who won't say it back to me. And even though Stephan just told me that he wouldn't break my heart, I think he did.
    “I should get back over there. I left Alec and Bridgett alone… I'll… um… see you later,” I tell him, and then run out of his room as fast as I can. I was seriously about to cry right in front of him, again.
    Wow, when did I turn into this person — the over-emotional, clingy girl? It’s not like me.
    I really am pathetic .
    “Scarlett!” I hear Stephan yelling behind me as I run out the front door. I don't stop though. I just keep running, because running is what I'm good at . I will avoid this conversation as long as I can.
    Besides, can I really love?
    What is love ?
    IS this love? Maybe I’m just so pathetic that I’m trying to feel something that isn’t there.
    I stop when I get to the sidewalk. I drop down to my knees, and let the tears run freely down my face. I'm sure that I look like a raccoon, but I don't care.
    “You can’t shut me out forever!” Stephan sounds angry. He has every right to be angry.
    “Look at me, Stephan,” I yell back. “I'm a pathetic mess!”
    He shakes his head. “You're a beautiful mess.”
    And just like that, I smile. Stephan always knows how to make me smile. He helps me off of the ground, and then steps closer to me.
    “Can I kiss you?”
    “ I thought you would never ask .”
    Stephan's lips crash into mine, and I feel hot, like heat is literally pulsing through my veins. He puts his hand on the small of my back, and pulls me closer. Every inch of our bodies are touching, but it isn't enough, and it's then that I realize — I will never get enough of Stephan.
    His tongue slips inside of my mouth, and I moan from the ecstasy. I wonder what else he can do with his tongue. I hope to find out very soon .
    I feel Stephan's hand travel south, and he cups my ass. I'm so turned on that I can hardly stand it. I pull back, even though I really don't want to . And I wouldn't if we weren't standing on the side of the road in front of his parents’ house.
    “You're driving me crazy,” I pant.
    “Good,” is his breathy reply. He then proceeds to kiss his way down my neck. I feel his finger trace the top of my cleavage.
    “Stephan,” I beg, though I'm not sure exactly what I'm begging for. I'm torn. Part of me wants to let him take me right here. I don't care who is watching. But the other part of me, the sensible side, knows that probably both Bridgett and Alec are watching from the window next door. The non-sensible side is definitely winning.
    “Yes?” he answers, his lips still on my neck. I feel the vibration all the way down to my toes.
    What was I going to say, again?
    Oh, right. Sister and best friend are next door.
    I push him back gently. There is now two inches between us, and I already miss his touch. “Bridgett and Alec are probably watching us.” My eyes glance over to my house. I was right. They are both staring out the window. Bridgett gives me a thumbs up.
    Stephan pulls me close again. “Then let's give them something