Ignite by Kate Benson Read Free Book Online

stop it was to tell me,” she cuts her off. “If you were ever really my friend, you would have known that. I would have forgiven you if you'd hurt me, but not Zeke. No one's ever going to hurt him and still call themselves a friend of mine.”
     
    Her words warm my heart and after an awkward moment, Mollie nods and turns to leave us. The silence between us is short-lived as Addie turns to face me.
     
    “You should have told me,” she says quietly. “Zeke, I would never have let anyone treat you badly on my account.”
     
    “The only way they would have stopped would have been if we weren't friends anymore, Addie,” I say in a soft tone, holding her teary hazel eyes as I squeeze the hand she's still resting in mine. “I never could have done that. I knew if you found out, it would hurt your feelings and you'd stop hanging out with me. That's why I told Mollie not to say anything.”
     
    I take her in, watching her scruff the grass beneath our feet with her purple flip flop, feeling terrible. In over ten years, I've only kept two secrets from Addie. One was the feelings I'd been having for her since I got back, the other is this.
     
    “How long did they tease you?” she asks in a whisper, her voice cracking.
     
    “I dunno, Addie...” I shrug.
     
    “When did it stop, Zeke?” she cuts me off, turning to face me.
     
    “When I left,” I admit, unable to hold her gaze.
     
    “For college?” she asks, her eyes widening in shock when I give her a slow nod. “You let this go on for six years and you never told me?”
     
    “Well, what would you have done if I had told you, Addie?” I ask her, waiting only a second for her answer. “Stop hanging out with me?”
     
    “Yes!” she says immediately. “That's exactly what I would have done, Zeke! I never would have let anyone bully you for six years!”
     
    “I know,” I tell her, finally meeting her eyes. “That's why I couldn't let you go, Addie.”
     
    “Zeke...”
     
    “It wasn't that bad and even if it was, I would have quit the team before I...”
     
    Before I can finish my sentence, she grips the back of my neck and pulls my lips to hers.
     
    Addie
     
    The second my lips touch his, I know it's a risk, but I just can't bring myself to stop it.
     
    My feelings, his words, knowing firsthand everything he put up with for my sake, I pour all of it into him. Parting my lips, I tease his lips with my tongue, begging for entry, unable to contain the whimper that leaves my chest when he grants it.
     
    As he makes contact, his tongue gently massages mine, shooting sparks through my chest. Releasing my grip on his neck, I rest my hand on his jaw, loving the feel of his light scruff as it dances beneath my fingertips.
     
    His hands rest low on my waist, splaying beneath the thin cotton of my tank top as I feel him hook his fingers into my belt loops, holding me closely.
     
    As badly as I know I need to pull away for air, my head is swimming. Common sense leaves me as I wonder if ending this kiss will deprive me of some kind of oxygen only Zeke's lips can provide.
     
    Zeke's lips.
     
    What the hell are you doing?
     
    That's all it takes to have me pulling away from him. Red-faced and panting, I bring my fingertips to my lips and quickly find my feet, taking a slight step back, instantly filling with regret.
     
    Not for the kiss. That kiss was amazing.
     
    Good thing, too, stupid. It may have just cost you everything.
     
    No, my regret is saved exclusively for the massive line I know I've just crossed.
     
    What the hell have you done, Addie?
     
    “Oh my God,” I manage, coming to terms with my actions as I take in the shocked expression covering his face. “Oh no...”
     
    You've just ruined everything.
     
    “Zeke...” I start, trying to meet his eyes and only succeeding for a second before I shut them tight, covering my face with my hands. “Oh, I'm so sorry, Zeke. I don't know... I don't know what the hell got into