Page 4 of New Year, New You and Me

All around, fellow partiers erupt in cheers and whistles as “Auld Lang Syne” blares over the speakers. I let out a whoop and raise my glass to Angela. Before she can toast me, Chad or Thad pulls her into his arms and lowers his head for a lingering kiss.

Looks like I’ll be forgotten now.

I turn back to Bradley who lifts his glass. With a sigh, I tap it with mine and we both polish off our sparkling wine.

Rubbing his lips dry with the back of his hand, he sets his glass aside and arches an eyebrow. “So.”

“So.” I raise both of mine in response.

“Should we seal this deal with a kiss?”

My brows fall and my forehead wrinkles. “What did you say?”

“You heard me.” He leans closer. I’m once again overwhelmed with his musk and the heat radiating from his body. “It is New Year’s, after all. That is how most people mark the occasion.”

My gaze drops to his mouth. For a second it’s tempting. Way too damn tempting to find out if his lips would feel as good as his scent.

But I’m better than that. Stronger. Or, at the very least, I’m too stubborn to give in now.

I straighten my spine and thrust out my hand. “We aren’t most people.”

He glances down and smirks. “No, we aren’t.”

Bradley takes my offered hand, enveloping it with his. It’s big and hard. That's no surprise considering we both make our living leading hikes through the wilderness and climbing mountains.

But it’s also hot. Not blazing fire hot, but the burn is there all the same. His thumb slides over my knuckles sending a shiver down my spine.

I take a shaky breath and pretend not to notice the way my pulse is racing or the warmth spreading between my thighs. Ithas to be the champagne. The bubbles must be messing with my brain.

There’s no way—absolutely no way—I find anything about this guy and his nice beard and broad shoulders attractive.

“I’ll see you in the new year,” Bradley says, releasing my hand.

“See you in the new year,” I reply, pleased my voice doesn’t break and give my momentary lapse away. “You’re going down.”

His eyes take on a mischievous glint. “Promise?”

I can’t wait to wipe that smirk off his face.

TWO

BRADLEY

I’m waiting outside the gym when a weary-looking Molly walks up on January 2.

“You’re late.”

She glances up and frowns at me, her brow puckering in that way that always makes me grin. “How can I be late? The gym isn’t even open yet.”

“True, but”—I make a production of checking my watch—“they were supposed to open two minutes ago.”

“It’s the day after a holiday. I think we can cut them some slack.”

“I don’t know…” I pull a face. “Taking it easy on the first day of a challenge isn’t any way to win it. Unless, of course, you aren’t up to the challenge.”

Her pale green eyes narrow even more. “I’m up to the challenge. I also believe in showing people a little grace.”

“Funny, I don’t think you’ve ever shown me much grace or cut me any slack.”

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