Ryan Hunter

last, shy look at me, she tilted her head the other way and continued gazing out the window. In the reflection of the glass, I glimpsed her pleased face.
    We arrived at her house way too soon.
    “Can you park a bit farther up this road?” Liza asked me then. “I don’t want my parents to find out I was gone missing.”
    Sunshine, they already know. But I did as she said, and as we got out of the car, I shut my door quickly to keep as much of her nice scent as possible saved inside for the ride home.
    I walked her back into her garden in a casual stroll. I liked watching her as we went. Everything about her was perfect. The only thing wrong was that she wasn’t tucked under my arm right now. It was definitely worth a try, but Liza turned her head to my side at that moment, and when her lips curved up, I knew I was caught staring. For a change this made me feel awkward. Somehow exposed. With a sheepish grin, I rubbed my neck, looking away.
    In front of the little shed in her garden, I took a stance with my back to the door and waited for her to put her foot into my laced hands to help her up. She grabbed my shoulders and stepped in, but before I lifted her, I took a second to look into her apple eyes. “What do you say, Matthews? Shall we do this again sometime?”
    Liza glanced up to her room and back at me. “Maybe we should. But let’s wait until my detention is over. I really hate sneaking in and out like a criminal.”
    I could live with that.
    With a strong push, I hoisted her onto the roof and waited until she’d made it to her feet. Sneaking back into her room, she whispered, “Good night.”
    “Later ’gator,” I said back.
    Heading back to my car, I could have slapped myself for missing the opportunity to steal a goodnight kiss before I’d shot her up on that roof. By now I was pretty confident she wouldn’t have slapped me for it. Damn, what if she’d even expected it and I just screwed that chance.
    I climbed into the car and banged my head on the steering wheel. I was such an idiot. Maybe I should send her a goodnight text at least. Just to tell her that I really loved spending this evening with her. And maybe making plans to see her again tomorrow?
    Shifting in the seat, I fished in my pocket for my phone then I stared at the screen. Suddenly I had a better idea. Way better…

Chapter 11
     
    THE WARM NIGHT coated my neck with a layer of moist as I jogged back to Liza’s house. Underneath her window, I lifted my Indian’s cap, raked a hand through my hair, and put the cap on again. This was my chance at Liza, and I wasn’t going to ruin it. Not after waiting half my high school years on it.
    The light in her room was already off. I could call her to the window now then talk her outside again. Or I could give a damn about being a gentleman and behave like a man my age. Turning around, I took a short run toward the tree, jumped, and hoisted myself onto the thickest branch. From there it was only a large step onto the shed’s roof. I didn’t hesitate a second but strode directly at Liza’s room and ducked through the window.
    At that moment the light went on, and a sharp voice said, “Hunter. What are you doing here?”
    I looked up and found Liza standing barefoot and in that amazing, hot boy shorts, just a couple of feet away from me. “I forgot something.”
    She quirked her brows like she questioned my sanity. “You can’t just come up here. I’m already in my jammies.”
    Hell yeah, that was one of the reason why it had to be now and not any other time. “I’ve never seen anything sexier than those shorts on you.” Seizing every inch of her skin with my gaze, I prowled toward her. The longer I looked at her legs, the more of a goose bump dusting she got.
    Liza took a step back for each I took toward her. She wouldn’t escape. Finally she was stopped by her bed and I had still one foot of distance to overcome. But I stopped when she did, and hooked my finger into the waistband of her mouthwatering shorts instead. Pulling her toward me, I locked gazes with her. Liza’s eyes were wide and shiny. Her mouth hung slightly open as she moved her hands up and placed them flat on my chest. My pecs twitched in response to this intimate touch, and I was all set for ripping my shirt open, so I could feel her warm hands on my skin.
    Liza’s breathing hitched noticeably. “You forgot something?” It was a shy croak. “What?”
    Seriously, we had talked enough tonight. Now was the