Page 32 of Ice Ice Maybe
Nolan shrugged casually. “I guess I’m showing my Midwest roots. It was how I was raised. Back home in Wisconsin, we say hello to everyone. At the mall, in grocery stores, anywhere,really. We wave at people driving down our street. It’s the norm, nothing weird about it.”
“I absolutely love it.” I shook my head, thinking about my own experiences. “Lately, it seems like everyone’s living in their own little bubble, or they just don’t know how to be nice anymore. I miss the human contact, kindness, down-to-earth conversations, even just a simple hello.” I pulled him to a stop and kissed him on the cheek. “Hello.”
“Hello,” he replied with a wink, before we stepped into the elevator.
The doors slid shut behind us with a soft whoosh. As Nolan reached out to tap the button for the 40th floor, I couldn’t contain myself any longer. The curiosity that had been building was threatening to burst out of me like a shaken champagne bottle.
“Okay, spill it,” I blurted out, turning to face him. “What’s this brilliant plan of yours? The suspense is killing me faster than Mitch’s death glares.”
Nolan’s lips curved up into that sexy smirk of his, the one that made my heart do a little flip. “Patience, grasshopper. All will be revealed when we reach our room.”
I groaned dramatically. “I’ll have you know I’m usually the epitome of patience. But right now? My curiosity is strangling my patience to death. So, tell me.” I playfully bumped my hip against his. “Give me a hint. Pretty please?”
“Nope,” he said firmly, avoiding eye contact, but his grin grew into a devilish one.
“Are you sure?” Feeling bold, I let my fingers trail up his chest, enjoying the firmness beneath his shirt.
Nolan’s breath hitched in his throat, his eyes darkening.
“You might not want to do that,” he warned quietly.
“Oh? And why not?” I said, offering him a mischievous smile.
“It’s not a good idea. In public, hands on. In private,hands off.”
I stepped closer. “That was your rule, not mine. I said no rules.”
My fingers continued their journey in the opposite direction toward his abs.
As quick as lightning, Nolan grabbed my wrist, pulling me flush against him. We were face-to-face, barely inches apart. The air between us crackled with electricity as the elevator continued its ascent.
“What are you going to do now, pretty boy?” I asked, glancing at his mouth with a dare, certain he would not take the bait because of his stupid rule.
To my surprise, Nolan pressed my body against the elevator wall, his lips crashing into mine. This kiss differed from our earlier, staged ones. It was raw, hungry, and desperate. His tongue swept into my mouth, and I met it with equal fervor. In one swift move, Nolan grabbed both my hands, sliding them up the elevator wall and pinning them above my head. He pressed his body into mine, deepening the kiss even further. I arched into him, craving more contact. How was it possible to be this close to someone and still want to be closer? The kiss intensified, setting every nerve ending on fire. Just as I thought I might combust from the heat between us, the elevator dinged, signaling our arrival.
We sprang apart, both breathing heavily, staring at each other in shock. Finally, when we were both able to regain some of our composure, we silently turned to exit the elevator, then we froze.
Mitch stood there, his face a mask of fury and disbelief.
“Get out of the elevator. Now,” he growled.
Sheepishly, we stepped out, avoiding eye contact. I tugged at my blouse, which had somehow twisted to reveal my midriff.We turned back just in time to see Mitch lean over to punch the lobby button with the side of his fist, his left eye twitching as the doors closed in front of his face.
I could hear my heart pounding as we walked to the room. Neither of us said a word, like we were teenagers who had been caught making out in the bathroom on prom night. Nolan pulled the card key from his wallet, inserted it into the slot, and pushed the door open. Without a word, he waved me through to enter first.
Once inside, Nolan tossed the card key on the desk, and sat on his bed, sighing before saying, “We need to talk about our …situation.”
“Oh …” I blinked, not knowing how to respond, since I obviously knew what he was talking about.
“Now, don’t get all shy on me,” he said. “We’re two adults who are going to have a simple, open conversation.”
“Simple, huh? Are you sure about that?” I asked, walking over and sitting on the bed next to him.
Nolan flinched when my leg brushed against his.
He quickly jabbed a finger at my bed. “Do you mind sitting over there on your bed while we chat?”
I smirked. “See? It’s not so simple, is it?” I stood and walked over to sit on the edge of my bed.
