Page 71 of Rook

Right.

The performance.

That was all this was about.

We linked arms and angled ourselves to take sips, which only managed to make my entire flute spill down my hand.

Then, I kid you not, Rook removed the flute, and lifted my hand and brought it to his mouth, using his lips to lap up the spilled liquid.

My heart fluttered in time with the camera shutter.

I knew when I looked up at Rook that the desire unfurling through my system was clear in my eyes.

His hand left mine, going behind my neck, pulling me close, and sealing his lips to mine again.

There was no stopping the little whimper that escaped me.

Rook’s other arm reached around me, curling around my lower back and pulling until I was up on my knees with him.

He anchored me to him, my chest crushed to his, and there was no stopping the way my hands went around the back of his neck, holding on as he kissed me deeper, as his teeth grazed my lower lip.

“Yes, perfect,” Gigi said, snapping away.

It was her voice that broke us apart.

“Got a little carried away there,” Rook said, actually looking a little bashful.

“You’re in love!” Gigi said, beaming at us. “How about a few of you feeding each other? Then maybe I can take some from above as you two look up at the lights.”

We spent the next hour or so following her instructions—and managing to eat a few actual bites of the food we’d ordered.

“Okay. How about the hammock before it gets too dark? We can’t miss that opportunity.”

Rook helped me to my feet as I looked dubiously at the hammock. “How am I supposed to get in that in this dress?”

“I guess we sit first,” Rook said, lowering himself onto the ropes.

I followed his lead as Gigi took more pictures.

“Okay. Cuddling now,” she demanded.

I sucked in a steadying breath, knowing that as much as the kissing created wildfires in my system, the moments of soft intimacy seemed the most dangerous for me. Because it wasn’t just physical.

But with Gigi waiting expectantly, Rook lowered onto his back, his one arm cocked under his neck. The other was wide, waiting for me to curl up next to him.

Having no choice, I moved to his side, feeling his arm curl around me and pull me up onto his chest.

I was vaguely aware of Gigi moving over to rearrange my skirts more aesthetically, but all I could focus on was his strong body beneath me, his arm around me, his heartbeat under my ear.

I knew as Gigi started to take pictures again that she was catching genuine wonder on my face as Rook just… held me.

Though, I was sure she might also catch the look of utter heartbreak a second later as a sobering realization crossed my mind.

I’d never been held before.

Not by my own mother.

Not by friends.

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