The Hunters: Moonsong Chapter Twenty-Two

Bonnie knew the minute that Zander and his friends came into the party, because the noise level went way up.H wizardstly, Zander was calmer than his friends, sort of, at least round Bonnie, but as a group, they were definitely wild.It was kind of irritating, actual y.But when Zander app headed next to her hip-checking Marcus into a wal on his way and gave her his farseeing, slow smile, her toes curled inside her high-heeled shoes and she forgot al about being annoyed.Hi she said. Is e precisething authorise? He cocked an eyebrow at her inquiringly. I mean, you said something came up with your family, and thats why youve been busy.Oh, yeah. Zander bent his head drop to talk to her, and his w subsection breath ghosted crossways Bonnies neck as he sighed. My familys pretty complicated, he said. I wish sometimes that things were easier. He looked sad, and Bonnie impulsively took his pass around, twining her fingers through his.Well, whats wrong? she asked, striving for a olfacti on of understanding and reliability. A dependable girlfriend tone.Maybe I can help. You k flat, a fresh ear and al that. Zander fr possessed and bit his lip. I guess its analogous I turn in responsibilities. My whole family is in a position where on that point are promises weve made and sort of things we have to take care of. And sometimes what I want to do and what I have to do dont line up.Could you be any more wispy? Bonnie asked teasingly, and Zander huffed a half laugh. Seriously, what do you mean? What do you have to do? What dont you want to do?Zander looked down at her for a moment and then his smile widened. Come on, he said, tugging her hand.Bonnie went with him, twist their way through the party and up the stairs. Zander seemed to know where he was going he turned a couple of corners, then pushed open a door.Inside was a dorm common room a couple of ratty couches, a banged-up table. Someones art project, a large canvas c all overed with splotches of paint, leaned aga inst the wal .Do you pass away in this dorm? she asked Zander.No, he said, his eyes on her mouth. He pul ed her toward him and rested his hands on her hips. And then he kissed her.It was the most amazing kiss Bonnie had ever have a go at itd. Zanders lips were so soft, yet firm, and there were little fireworks going off al over Bonnies body. She lifted her hand and cupped it against his cheek, speck the strong finger cymbals of his face and the slight scratch of stubble against her palm.Once again, she felt as she had during their first date, standing on the roof, when it had been like she was flying.So free, and with a wild kind of joy zinging through her. She slid her hand to the tail end of his neck, feeling Zanders fine pale blond hair brush softly against her fingers. When the kiss ended, neither of them spoke for a moment, they in effect(p) leaned against each other, breathing hard. Their faces were so close, and Zanders bril iant blue eyes were fixed on hers, warm and in tent.Anyway, thats what I want to do, since you asked. Do you his voice cracked do you want to go back to the party now?No, said Bonnie, not yet. And this time, she kissed him.Oh, thank God, Chloe said when bland came up to her. I was beginning to feel like the biggest wal flower. She crinkled her nose appealingly at him. Her nose, which tilted up just a little, was spattered with freckles, and she had a pretty cupids bow of a mouth. He wanted to tug gently on the soft brown ringlets of her curls, just to see them straighten and then spring back into shape.What do you mean? he said, pul ing himself back together, although he was painful y aware that he sounded half-witted. A wal flower?Oh, just She waved one hand vaguely at the crowd.Theres hardly anyone I know here besides you and Ethan.This whole partys completely stuffed with freshmen. Matts effect sank. He had forgotten that Chloe was a junior. It shouldnt be a big deal, real y, should it? But she sounded like she conceit f reshmen were beneath her, or something. Disdainful, that was the word he was looking for to describe her tone.I thought the party seemed okay, he said weakly.Chloe pursed her lips teasingly, then socked him gently on the arm. Well, she said softly, theres only enough room for one fledgeling in my life. Right, Matt? That was more of a hopeful sign. The problem was, Matt realized, that his only dating experience had been in asking out girls who he either didnt real y care about, but was just thinking of as potential dates for dances or whatever, or who were Elena. Who, yes, he cared tremendously about, but who he knew for presbyopic enough and Wellenough that he could tel she was going to say yes.Stil , he thought he could see an opening here.Chloe, he said, I was wondering if you would Matt broke off as Ethan joined them, smiling widely. For the first time, Matt felt a flash of irritation toward him. Ethan was so smart with people. Couldnt he see he was interrupting a moment here ?I liked your friend Stefan, Ethan told Matt. He seemed very sophisticated for a freshman, very Wellspoken. Do you think its because hes European?Matt only shrugged in response, and Ethan turned to Chloe.Hey, sweetheart, he said, putting an arm around her and kissing her lightly on the lips.And yeah, wow, maybe Ethan had realized he was interrupting a moment. It wasnt a long kiss, but there was definitely a possessive air about it, and about his arm flung across Chloes shoulders. When it ended, Chloe smiled up at Ethan, breathless, and Ethans eyes flicked to Matt, just for a second.Matt wanted to fold right over and sink into the sticky, beer-stained floor beneath his feet. But instead he eked out a smile of his own and tipped his beer to Ethan.Because Chloe adorable, sweet, funny, easygoing Chloe had a beau. He ought to have anticipated that he wouldnt be the only one who saw how amazing she was. And Matt would have backed off no matter who Chloes boyfriend was. He didnt want to be that guy who sleazed al over other peoples relationships he never had been.But since Chloes boyfriend was Ethan? Ethan, the Vitale Society leader, the one who had made Matt feel like he was special, like he could be the best? Since it was Ethan, Matt was just going to have to grit his teeth and ignore that hol ow feeling in his chest. He was going to be strong and keep himself from even thinking about what he wished could have been with Chloe.There were some lines he just couldnt cross. Ever.