It was only during intermission that he’d been able to catch his breath. That’s when he noticed Mr. Cecchino watching him.
The look had been long and knowing. Dal broke eye contact, flushed with embarrassment. Lucky for him, Mrs. Cecchino was preoccupied reapplying her lipstick. Anton was busy reading a comic book. Leo had fallen asleep in the chair.
But Mr. Cecchino had seen. Dal wanted to melt into the floor.
After that day, he kept his crush tightly under wraps. No covert looks at Lena when she wasn’t paying attention. He didn’t even allow himself to entertain thoughts of her. He moved her to a place in his mind where other forbidden things went, like his hatred for his father and the knowledge that he was just like him. He kept her there out of adoration for a man who had made him hot chocolate when his own father beat the shit out of him.
The dam had been purposefully and meticulously constructed over the years. Dal had been sure it could withstand a nuclear blast.
He’d been wrong.
The wall came crashing down in a matter of seconds as he watched her dance. The living room fell away. Lena was once again on the stage, dancing front and center where she belonged.
She danced in front of the coffee table. On it she had placed the wedding portrait of her parents. She spun and leaped and twirled for them in the light of a single lamp. She cried softly as she did, her pink slippers twirling in the worn, dark brown carpet of the living room.
Dal drifted into the room, unable to take his eyes off her. Her hair was still damp, loose strands hanging around her face.
She leaped, her legs stretching into a perfect split. He could almost imagine away the jeans and see the wispy pink ballerina skirt around her legs.
She landed in front of him, balanced perfectly on the toes of her left foot.
Her eyes met his. It was impossible for him to pretend. His wall was a wreckage around his feet. His heart thudded painfully in his chest as he stared into her dark eyes. He saw his grief for Mr. Cecchino reflected back at him.
But there was something else there. Something magnetic.
Her next leap brought her to him. His arms closed around her. Her mouth found his in a kiss.
He couldn’t think straight. Every brain cell fell out of his head as he drank her in. He pushed his tongue into her mouth, wanting to taste her.
Without breaking the kiss, she tugged on his shirt to lead him across the room. Dal followed her lips, his hands tightening on her waist.
When he finally came up for air, they were in Lena’s bedroom. Her shirt was gone, her breasts cupped by a simple black cotton bra. Her hair was loose, falling in waves past her elbows. She was so Goddamn beautiful.
He needed to touch every part of her. He kissed her neck, her shoulders, and her fingertips. He chased the line of her collarbone with his tongue. Her clothes melted away under his hands.
It wasn’t until they were both naked in her bed that a semblance of sanity returned to him. He wanted her so badly he could hardly breathe, but he forced himself to do the right thing.
“Lena.” His voice was gruff. “We don’t have to do this if you’re not ready.”
Her arms tightened around him. “If I wasn’t ready I wouldn’t be here, dummy.”
Dal didn’t possess enough sanity to try and talk her out of it. He was raw with feelings he couldn’t control. Thank God he always kept a few spare condoms in his wallet.
He forced himself to slow down, to pull back just enough so he could look into her eyes. “Is this your first time?” He didn’t want to hurt her. There’d been a few boys here and there throughout high school, but Lena never kept any of them around for long.
She nodded in silent answer to his question. Her hand came up to trace the line of his jaw. “I always wanted it to be with you, Dal.” Her fingers slid around to grip his hair. She pulled his face back down to hers.
Dal gave himself over completely and lost himself inside her.
AFTER, SHE FELL ASLEEP on his chest. He could hardly believe she was sprawled on top of him. He had never, ever let himself dream of a moment like this.
He rested one hand on her hip, eyes closed. His other hand fiddled absently with the friendship bracelets on Lena’s wrist. He was exhausted, but knowing there were Russians and nezhit out there made it impossible to sleep. At least Lena could rest for a while. They’d have to leave soon and go to the cabin.
How could the best day of his life also be the worst day of his life? He’d lost Mr. Cecchino and found Lena all in the same day.
Lena twitched violently in his arms. She jerked awake, eyes wild as she looked around in momentary confusion.
“It’s okay.” Dal caressed her back, pulling her close. “You’re okay.”
She burrowed her face into his chest. He wanted to hold her forever.
“I love you, Lena.” The words came out before he could think better of them. “It’s okay if you don’t feel the same way,” he said, attempting to back pedal. “I just want you to know. You know, in case the Russians barge in here and kill us in the next five minutes.”
She blinked in surprise, gazing at him. Then she tilted her head and smiled at him. “Dallas Granger, I’ve been in love with you since I was six years old and you saved me from Nonna’s goat.”
He stared stupidly at her. “Really?” Of all the things he might have guessed she would say in response to his declaration, the goat story hadn’t been on his radar.
“Yeah.” She grinned at him. “Don’t you remember? That big billy goat got mad when I fed an apple
