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the stairs and slam my door.
    The hours ticked by and I didn't dare sleep, fearful of my dreams. Near midnight and Ms. Custer's low snores traveled down the passage to my room, despite the closed door. She indulged once a week at her Bingo session. I had no idea what she drank, but knowing my foster mom it would not have been much. She took her responsibility seriously and tried to ensure she set a good example. Coming home punch drunk would not be a good example.
    I crept downstairs to the kitchen, hoping I wouldn't run into Aidan. It was pizza night for the kids, unless you were going out. But since I had zero interest in food, the menu had no effect on me. I longed for a soda or whatever sat in the fridge that fizzed.
    I fished out a lone soda can, leaned against the sink, popped the tab and swallowed. The bubbles soothed me. I had no desire for water either, but it must have been a psychological thing 'cause I craved the sensation of the bubbles as they coursed down my throat into my stomach.
    I sighed. And almost choked when I looked straight into Aidan's eyes as I brought the can down. Damn near jumped out of my skin.
    "Crap!" I shrieked then coughed, thankful that none of the fizzy bubbles went down the wrong way. Nothing like choking to death to impress a guy. Not that I was planning to impress anyone anyway.
    "Sorry." His bright toothy grin didn't look very sorry at all.
    "Shouldn't you be out on the town or something? As opposed to scaring the crap out of me?"
    "Nope, got work to do."
    "Can't be more than what I have. We're in the same classes, after all."
    "I have a part-time research job and I have some collating and writing up to do. Takes tons of time. Sorry if I scared you." He leaned past me to place a mug in the sink. Way too close for comfort.
    And he stayed there.
    And I wouldn't have had it any other way.
    ***
    Silence settled into the kitchen, and only the soft susurration of our breathing and the chugs and clanks of the ancient refrigerator dared to disturb it. Aidan closed what little distance remained between our bodies and placed a hand on either side of me, closing me in but not touching me. Somehow, I don't recall how, air evaporated from my lungs, and we were less than a hair's breadth apart. I wanted more and feared more and desperately ached to get away.
    My eyes shifted from his mesmerizing gaze, heat filling my face. I tried to leave the haven of his arms. But he wouldn't allow me to escape. My move to leave bared my neck and he took the opportunity to place his lips at the base of my throat just above the collarbone.
    Was it even possible to sigh and moan at the same time? Sure it was; I'd just done that! He ran his warm, soft lips up to my chin and further up to meet my mouth in a heated, heady frenzy. My fingers entwined within his hair, pulling him closer just as his arms encircled me.
    This was crazy.
    And ridiculous.
    And wonderful all at the same time.
    Even the knowledge that the guy had a date the next night could not dampen my hunger for more of him.
    A low buzzing disturbed us, pulling at the threads of craziness, tugging us back into the real world where death and cheerleaders reigned. Aidan tugged his phone out of his pocket and scanned the message. His jaw hardened and he switched the screen off and tucked it back.
    "I've got to run." He planted a quick kiss on my temple and walked to the door. "Oh, and eat something will you? I haven't seen you take a bite all week. It's possible to die without food, you know."
    As he left I didn't return his parting grin. I'd seen the message before he so quickly thrust his phone back in his pocket, and I bloody well knew the sender: Cherise. I was numb, head to toe and heart in the middle. The heat in my body gave way to icy needles, which pierced my muscles one stab at a time. In my mind's eye, the backlit text message gleamed: I need to see you now. It's urgent. I'll be waiting .
    This time the heat filling my head remained as far from