Page 7 of Nothing Left to Lose

No big deal.

“Okay, re-create the dancing photo,” the guy said.

Dread and butterflies fought for airspace in my belly.

But Brody slid his hand down to my lower back and pulled me in close, far too naturally, far too comfortably. I pressed against him, allowing myself to have this just one more time.

A stupid photo op, nothing more . . .

He took my hand like we were ballroom dancing and we did a few slow steps, but it was ridiculous and stupid, and I laughed.

“Perfect,” the photographer said.

I snorted.

“Okay, now kiss.”

Aaaaand now I wasn’t laughing.

Brody’s eyes met mine. Fear andwhat the fuckstared back at me, and I almost faltered. I almost gave us away right then and there.

But then his gaze dropped to my lips and drew back up to my eyes, and something else stared back at me.

Determination?

Daring?

Then he slid his hand along my jaw, lifted my face, and pressed his lips to mine.

Soft and sweet and everything I’d ever wanted.

Everything I’d longed for, dreamed of.

My whole chest was aching and thrumming all at once. I pressed my forehead to his, my eyes closed—too afraid to look at him—trying to convince my heart that this wasn’t real but to savor this moment anyway.

And not to break into a million pieces.

“Perfect,” the photographer said, snapping me out of Brody’s spell.

Looking at them, the photographer reviewed his camera screen and Carina smiled at us.

“Awww, so perfect,” she crooned.

I dropped my hand from Brody’s waist and took a step away, suddenly feeling a little lightheaded.

Brody grabbed my arm, then slid his hand down into mine, threading our fingers. “He cracked the Champagne in our room,” he announced, as if that explained why I was suddenly dizzy.

As if it had nothing to do with the fact that Brody had just kissed me.

“He doesn’t normally drink too much,” Brody added, like it’d help.

I looked right at Carina. “Uh, yeah. That Moët is good. Any chances of another bottle?”

She found that cute, apparently. “I’ll have a word with the hotel and see what I can do.”

Brody squeezed my hand. “You’ll need a nap if you have any more.”

“Oh no,” I joked. “A nap. How terrible.”

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