Burning Bright Read Online Free PDF

evening. I borrowed a change of clothes from Flynn’s sister, then Flynn and I went over to James’s house. I never ceased to be struck by the
contrast between Flynn’s Holloway Road flat with its cramped rooms and permanent smell of damp and James’s detached mansion full of expensive furnishings and surrounded on all sides by
a carefully manicured lawn. At least Flynn and James didn’t ever seem bothered by the difference in their backgrounds.
    Grace and James heated up some pasta and the four of us had a great time eating and chatting and watching movies on James’s huge home cinema screen.
    I sent Mum a text at ten-thirty to reassure her I was enjoying my fake evening at Emmi’s. Then I switched off my phone. At about midnight, the four of us settled down in front of some
cheesy horror film. After about half an hour it was obvious James and Grace were no longer actually watching the movie.
    Flynn nudged me. ‘D’you wanna see if we can find the room where we’re sleeping?’ he grinned. ‘James said it was right at the top of the house.’
    I nodded. He took my hand and led me towards the stairs. As we passed the study I blushed. At the last-night party after
Romeo and Juliet
, I had got Emmi to come on to Flynn in that very
room. It had been a stupid test to see if he liked her better than me, something I’d been insecure about for months. I’d stopped Emmi before she’d gone all that far – but
Flynn had been understandably furious when he’d realised what was happening.
    Flynn glanced over and saw my cheeks reddening. ‘Remembering your finest hour?’ he said wryly.
    The house was built over three floors. We went all the way up, to where a short corridor led away from the stairs. Flynn led me to the door on the right. It opened into a small guest room
– plain cream walls, silky blue curtains at the window and a matching bedspread on the double bed. A small white-tiled shower room led off the bedroom, complete with fluffy towels and fresh
toothbrushes.
    ‘It’s like a hotel room,’ I gasped, delighted.
    ‘James said you’d like it.’
    We stared at each other for a minute.
    Flynn put his hands on my waist and dipped his head down to mine. His eyes were soft gold in the little bedside light. ‘Hey, River,’ he breathed. ‘I can’t believe this is
really happening.’
    For a single, worrying moment I thought he was talking about us having sex. I’d made it clear to Flynn a few months back that I didn’t feel ready yet. And just because we were
spending the night together it didn’t mean my feelings were any different now.
    I looked away.
    Flynn took my cheeks in his hands and turned my face back to his. ‘I didn’t mean
that
,’ he said with a gentle smile.
    I smiled back, grateful that he understood without me needing to talk about it. I wasn’t sure what I was so apprehensive about. I just knew that losing my virginity was a massive step.
    ‘What did you mean, then?’ I raised my eyebrows and grinned, trying to lighten up the conversation.
    ‘That you’re getting to sleep in a smart room for once – with a proper double bed?’
    Flynn’s eyes widened. ‘Right. You’re gonna die for that.’ He pushed me onto the bed then leaped on top of me, tickling my ribs, down into my waist. I squealed and
wriggled away from him until I was half lying off the bed. Flynn reached for me. I pushed him away with a massive shove that sent me toppling backwards off the bed. I hit the floor with a loud
thump and lay there, winded.
    ‘Riv?’
    I kept my eyes tight shut. I could just picture Flynn’s beautiful face above me on the bed, his fringe flopping down over his eyes.
    ‘Riv, are you okay?’
    It was almost impossible not to laugh. I kept my eyes very still, trying not to breathe.
    ‘River?’ I heard Flynn scrambling off the bed, felt his hand on my face. ‘River?’ His voice was suddenly terrified. Like a little kid’s.
    I opened my eyes and grinned up at him.
    ‘What the