Page 35 of Playing with My Heart

His face lit up with a grin that could outshine the sun. “Yeah?”

“Yeah,” I nodded, feeling giddy and lightheaded. “But Travis?”

“Hmm?” He hummed, his thumb tracing gentle circles on my cheek.

“Can I kiss you again? Just once more before we start doing this properly?”

He chuckled, the sound low and warm causing a swirling sensation deep in the pit of my stomach. “I thought you’d never ask.”

This time, when our lips met, it was slow and tender, a promise of things to come. Travis’s hands gripped my hips, pulling me closer as I slid my hands up his chest to rest on his shoulders. The kiss deepened, and I felt myself melting into him, all the tension and uncertainty of the past few minutes dissolving away.

When we finally parted, both slightly breathless, he rested his forehead against mine. “Wow,” he murmured, his blue eyes sparkling.

“Yeah,” I agreed, unable to keep the smile off my face. “Wow.”

We stood there for a moment, just holding each other, reveling in this new understanding between us. Then Travis pulled back slightly, a mischievous grin spreading across his face. “So, Parker Reyes,” he said, his voice playful, “would you like to go on a date with me tomorrow night?”

I couldn’t help but laugh, feeling giddy and lightheaded. “I'd love to, Travis Brooks,” I replied, matching his playful tone. “What did you have in mind?”

His eyes twinkled with mischief. “Oh, that’s for me to know and you to find out. Just be ready at seven.”

I raised my eyebrows. “Should I be worried?”

“Nah,” Travis grinned, pulling me close again. “Trust me, okay?”

I nodded, my heart racing at his proximity. “I already do.”

He brushed a soft kiss against my forehead before stepping back. “Now, as much as I’d love to keep kissing you all night, I think we should probably get some sleep. Big day tomorrow and all.”

I reluctantly agreed, already missing the warmth of his arms around me. As we parted ways to head to our separate bedrooms, I couldn’t wipe the smile off my face. The anticipation of our upcoming date mixed with the lingering sensation of Travis’s lips on mine, created a heady cocktail of excitement and nerves.

Sleep didn’t come easily that night. I tossed and turned, replaying every moment of our kiss, every word Travis had said. When I finally drifted off, my dreams were filled with blue eyes and gentle touches.

Chapter Thirteen

TRAVIS

Ipaced back and forth across Jasper’s living room, my heart racing like I’d just sprinted up twenty flights of stairs. What the hell was wrong with me? I never got nervous about going out, but this wasn’t just some random hookup, this was a date—with Parker.

“Dude, you’re gonna wear a hole in the floor,” Jasper said from his spot on the couch. “Relax.”

I shot him a glare. “Easy for you to say. You’ve got Maks. You don’t have to worry about first dates anymore.”

Akio chuckled. “Never thought I’d see the day Travis Brooks was a nervous wreck over a guy.”

“I’m not a nervous wreck,” I protested weakly, even as I wiped my sweaty palms on my jeans for the millionth time.

“Sure, and I’m straight,” Jasper quipped. I flipped him off, but there was no real heat behind it.

Garrett’s face appeared on Akio’s phone screen as the FaceTime connected. “How’s our boy doing?” he asked with a grin.

“Oh, you know, totally chill,” Akio said dryly. “Not freaking out at all.”

I groaned and collapsed onto the chair across from them. “I hate all of you.”

“No you don’t,” Jasper said. “You love us. And we love you, which is why we’re here to help you not fuck this up.”

“Gee, thanks for the vote of confidence,” I muttered.

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