Four…
My chest flutters as our eyes meet again, the tension so strong I want to look away until he speaks. “I’m going to kiss you, Hayls,” he rasps, his voice clear above the noise. “Just so you know.”
Three…
His hand falls to my mouth, his fingers curling around my chin, his thumb brushing my bottom lip. It wasn’t a question, but even if it was, my answer would be yes.
Two…
Reed tilts my head, bringing my lips closer to his as his eyes flicker between mine, seeking permission, despite never actually asking for it. My pulse spikes and I nod, tightening my hold on his shirt, pulling him closer until our bodies are flush.
One…
Midnight strikes and cheers fill the air, but Reed drowns them out, pressing his lips to mine, stealing my breath as the crowd ceases to exist.
His mouth caresses mine, explorative but sweet, gently consuming me as my heart slams in my chest, the pounding competing with the beat of the music—a techno version of “Auld Lang Syne.”
Curling his hand into my hair, Reed leans in, tilting my head farther so he can deepen the kiss. My breasts rub against his chest and another gasp escapes me, eliciting a groan from the back of his throat. With my lips parted, Reed sneaks his tongue into my mouth, swirling it once before it’s gone. And I instantly miss the feeling.
I want more. Of everything.
Pulling him impossibly close, I moan against his lips, the fervor increasing between us.
While there’s no doubt we’re playing this off as a New Year’s Eve kiss, we arewaybeyond that and too far gone to stop. At least I am. He’s damn good at this. If I’m not careful, this could become an addiction.
Time loses all meaning and I’m consumed by the moment, by the softness of Reed’s lips and the tender way he cups my cheeks. I’m in sensory overload of the best kind, so when someone grabs my shoulder, I jolt, snapping out of my trance.
I force a laugh, catching Reed’s confused gaze before he spots Luke and chuckles along with me.
“Nice touch.” Luke nods, gesturing between the two of us. “I saw quite a few cameras flashing in your direction.” He whispers, leaning in close so that no one else hears him, “I have no doubt this will make the news by tomorrow. I can see the headlines now.Golden Boy Reed Coombs finds love with Hollywood starlet Hayley Jackman, no relation to Hugh.”
He winks and I burst out laughing again. I can always rely on Luke to bring the jokes.
“Who are you calling a starlet, Bennett?” Reed chips in, wrapping his arm around my shoulder as my gaze flits over the many eyes watching us from around the room.Maybe we did need to kiss to be taken seriously.“Hayley’s way past that,” Reed continues, making me smile. “My girl’s a star.” He squeezes my shoulder, and I fight the instinct to roll my eyes.
“Where’s Amelia?” I ask, moving the conversation on.
“She’s on the phone with my mom, letting her know we’ll be there in thirty minutes.”
“Thirty minutes?That means you’re leaving now.” I pout and Luke bops me on the nose.
“Cheer up. I’m sure you’ll be seeing me soon. After all, you’re dating my teammate.”
“I’m not pouting overyou, Bennett.” I shove him out of the way, making him laugh. “I wanted to party with Amelia. I’ll be back. I’m going to catch her before she goes.”
Reed chuckles as I leave, so I shake my ass for his pleasure, smiling over my shoulder. He shakes his head and mouths his next words, but something catches my eyes and my attention shifts, watching Bria walking in his direction.
She waited for me to go. Sneaky.
A tightness works its way into my chest as her narrowed gaze locks with mine.
She’s notwelcomingme into her world. It’s quite the opposite.
And I hate to think what it’s going to do to Reed.
He’ll never admit it, but I think this is going to break him.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
