Outpost (Razorland, #2)

by Ann Aguirre

“I want to drag you off and hide you away,” he whispered. “Why?” “I always knew you were beautiful, but now everyone else will too. I won’t be able to keep other boys away from you, and it’ll make me crazy.” I laughed, thinking he was trying to make me feel less self-conscious about the dress and my hair, which tickled the back of my neck each time I moved. But he kept his hand on my arm, as if he thought someone would pop up to steal me away. Dazzling heat blazed between us, fiercer than the lamps hung around the green. Not far from the dancers, he pulled me into the shadows and drew me up against him. “One kiss before I have to share you.” Hardly knowing myself, as Deuce the girl held sway tonight—and the Huntress watched with quiet embarrassment—I tipped my face up. His mouth touched mine, light as a breath, but brushed again and again, a tease, until I reached up and cupped his face in my hands. Then the kiss flared like lightning, deeper and more thorough than he’d ever dared before. When his tongue touched mine, I pulled back, shocked and breathless. “Where did you learn that?” “You’d only get mad if I told you.” I muttered beneath my breath. Probably, he was right. I didn’t want to hear he’d kissed some girl down below. If there had been another female for him since we arrived in Salvation, I needed to cut off all her hair and beat her half to death. The strength of that impulse scared me, and I took a step back. Deuce the girl was every bit as vicious as the Huntre...