Page 4 of Perfect Liar
I forced out an exhale and took in every detail. His height, the width of his broad shoulders, his cut biceps, the thickness of his dark blond hair, his well-defined jawline.
The word magnificent was all I could hear in my head.
When he raised his right arm, the sleeve on his faded indigo t-shirt pulled a little higher, exposing the bottom part of a tattoo on his shoulder. I immediately wanted to see all of it.
I wanted to touch it.
The high school marching band brought the procession to an end, and people moved on from the curbs, filling the street and the sidewalks.
My best friend Jessica and I waited. She let down her pretty red hair and lifted her face to the late morning sun, and I just stared at him, the man who commanded my attention.
I was stuck in the moment with him, in something undefined that belonged only to us. His fierceness broke into my soul and made me want and yearn.
He lowered his eyes to my lips for a second, and a smirk pulled at one corner of his mouth like he’d won something. No, like he’d taken something.
My heart pounded faster and harder.
The idea he could take what he wanted from me drove a sensual shiver along my spine. And another unexpected idea hit me. I could affect his thoughts, and I had.
I smiled, keeping my eyes on his.
Jess put her hand on my arm.
“Hey, who’s the guy? And why are you staring at each other like that?” she asked.
“Like what?”
“You know, like you’re about to get a room.”
I gasped, turned to look at her.
“I don’t even know him.”
“Hmm.”
“What? I don’t. But I wonder if he’s the one who followed me home last night.”
“Wait…Ellie, you were followed again? Maybe it’s time we do something about that.”
“What if I’m wrong? Gran said someone finally rented the vacant house down the block. What if he’s literally just going home and not following me?”
When I looked across the street again, he was gone.
“We could still file a police report, then it’s on record just in case,” Jess said.
I gave her a gentle elbow in her ribs and grinned.
“God, make up your mind. You told me last night to let new people into my life.”
She laughed.
“Well, I didn’t mean some creeper. It’s good to see you opening up more, but don’t take the issue so lightly, Ells. If you think someone is following you again, promise you’ll tell me.”
“I will. I promise.”
Maybe it’s really all in my head anyway.
After all, Stonington was a summer destination.