Read Online The Islanders by Katherine Applegate - Free Book Online Page B

Jake said. “The first thing a guy looks at is . . . is looks. Later he gets into whether a girl is smart or has a good sense of humor.”
    â€œHow much later?”
    â€œZoey, is it just my imagination, or have you been busting me a lot lately?”
    Zoey tilted her head straight back and closed her eyes. Jake kissed her lips and tightened his grip around her, letting his hand slip upward from her waist to just beneath her breasts.
    â€œWe’ve never kissed that way before,” Jake observed. “I mean, upside down like that.”
    â€œDo I taste like barbecue sauce?”
    â€œWe both taste like barbecue sauce,” Jake said with a laugh. “Can I have some more?”
    â€œUpside down?”
    â€œToo strange,” Jake said. He guided her into turning around. They sat face to face, Zoey’s legs over Jake’s. She kissedhim again, enjoying the feel of his lips on hers.
    â€œThat was nice,” she said, pausing to breathe.
    â€œMmmm,” Jake agreed.
    His eyes reflected the yellow flames, two separate bonfires burning in dark pools. He undid the top button of her blouse and let his fingers slide beneath the fabric.
    â€œJake, my brother is like ten feet away,” Zoey said in a whisper. Worse yet, Nina wasn’t far away, and if she saw Jake in action, she’d be bound to start another round of discussion on groping.
    â€œYour brother is always like ten feet away,” Jake said. He let his fingers caress the slope of her breast. “It’s not as if he can see what we’re doing.”
    Zoey took his hand and moved it away. She kissed him again, but his response was less than enthusiastic. “Claire isn’t blind.”
    â€œShe’s not watching us,” Jake said. He reached for her again.
    Zoey stood up. “I’m going to talk to Nina and Aisha.”
    Jake stood up and grabbed her arm. “Just tell me one thing, Zoey,” he said. “Is this the way it’s going to stay? I mean, I’m supposed to stay on first base until we get married?”
    Zoey spun around and faced him. The fire no longer reflected in his eyes. They were just shadows within shadows now. “Excuse me? Did I just hear that?”
    â€œI was just asking whether we’re ever going to do it, Zo.”
    â€œYou said until we get married , Jake. I don’t remember ever even discussing anything like that.” Zoey put up her hand, palm outward, to keep him at a distance. “We’re not even seniors yet.”
    Jake shrugged. “I didn’t mean anything by it.”
    â€œGood.”
    â€œYou know I love you, Zoey,” he said softly.
    Zoey held her breath. It was not the first time he had said those words. She had even said them to him, once or twice. Maybe she had even meant them, who could be sure? Maybe Jake meant them, too, in his own way. She let Jake draw her close again.
    â€œDon’t you ever think about the future, Zo?” he asked in a low voice. “I mean, you know, after high school and all. You ever think about what it would be like to get married and have kids and a house? Maybe a dog.”
    â€œSometimes,” Zoey said, feeling uncomfortable.
    â€œI do,” Jake said solemnly. “I know we’re young, but I think about having a family of my own. Some kids. Maybe a boy.”
    â€œDon’t you think we should enjoy being wild, irresponsible teenagers?” Zoey asked, hoping to jog Jake out of his serious mood.
    Jake smiled crookedly. “I’m not very good at being a wildand irresponsible teenager, am I?”
    There was something in his tone that was deeply melancholy. He was right, Zoey knew. Jake was seventeen and already acting like he was thirty.
    â€œYou’re good at being a horny teenager,” Zoey said, leaning her forehead against his.
    Jake laughed softly, then grew silent again. “You know what today is?”
    â€œSaturday?” Zoey