Page 61 of Fall for You
She finished first and gave his hip a little nudge with her knee before running past him.
He laughed again, finishing his final two and jumping up. “Oh, you’re gonna pay for that one, champ.”
Chasing after her, he was trying to remember the last time he’d had this much fun.
“Promises, promises!” she called over her shoulder.
It was her impish little smile that made his feet falter, and he lost his speed for a moment.
Man, she was freakin’ hot when she was all sassy like this.
It suited her. She clearly thrived on competition, just like he did.Thiswas the spark he’d been trying to draw out that first time they’d run into each other.
And he reveled in every second of her determination, her teasing, her laughter…and watching that sleek body of hers prove just how strong and capable it was.
When they were close to the finish line, she shot out a foot, trying to trip him, but he’d been expecting it, and he tackled her so they both went down, tumbling and laughing until they came to a stop on the grass next to the path.
They were out of breath, panting and laughing into each other’s faces. But the sound quickly died out.
Just like last time, he felt it. This thick, heady awareness that seemed to fill the air between them, wrapping them together in a tight cocoon.
It was just them. And everything in him was drawn closer, closer…
Her chest rose and fell rapidly beneath his. Their eyes connected and held.
And he saw it.
The same answering awareness.
She felt it too.
And suddenly, like a man dying in the desert, he was desperate for a taste of her lips. He dipped his head down slowly, holding her gaze, waiting for a protest.
But it wasn’t until he was so close that he could feel her breath on his lips that she stirred.
She pushed against his chest so suddenly he let out anoofas he rolled aside. And then Ronnie was scrambling to her feet and…
Crossing the finish line.
He rolled over into a sitting position with a huff of laughter. “Nicely played, you little siren.”
She ducked her head, but not before he caught a fresh rush of pink in her cheeks and a shy smile that was just plain adorable.
Not that he’d tell her that. Something warned him the wordadorablewould land him a punch in the nose.
So he rested back on his hands and watched her scramble to collect her water bottle and discarded sweater. “I should go. I’ve gotta help prep for the party tomorrow.”
He nodded. He had the sense she was running away from him—from that almost kiss. But that was fine. Honestly, he was a little shaken too.
He’d been in a long relationship. He’d had his share of intimate moments. But this…
This felt different.
And he was completely aware of how weird it was that he’d felt it withher. Ronnie Colbert.
Bailey’s longtime friend.
So he didn’t try to stop her as she fled. But his heart gave a little kick of excitement when she stopped and turned back.
