Page 49 of Sugar Rush

“Legend has it, long ago, the Jade Emperor wanted animals to be his guards, and said this would be decided by which of the twelve contestants got through the Heavenly Gates first.Competing that day were a rat, a pig, a dog, a rooster, a monkey, a goat, a horse, a snake, a dragon, a rabbit, a tiger, and an ox.”

His skin brushed mine while he continued to examine the little gold animals in turn, listening to my story.

“The rat won the race by jumping on to the ox’s snout at the last minute.So a rat represents quick wit and cunning.And so it goes.”

“Huh.”Rick reached the rat charm and stroked the tip of his index finger over its tail.“And what am I?”

I asked him what year he was born, and he told me.

“Ah, the ox.Auspicious.”

“Even though I lose out to the rat?”He huffed.

I laughed.“No, the ox is great.You’re persistent and diligent, but also not self-serving.That confirms everything I’ve learned about you so far.”

“It does, hmm?”His chuckle rumbled against my back.“And what’re you?”

“Well, I was born three years after you, so I’m a dragon.The most coveted of all zodiac signs.Ambitious and enthusiastic, and, depending on what translation you subscribe to, good-looking.”

“Well, there you go.Must all be true,” he said lowly.

“You’re very kind.”I smiled.

We sat together, contentedly not speaking, for a little while.I gazed out across the lake.Sitting here, I was reminded of being in Regent’s Park on a sunny afternoon.I wondered if I’d ever get to take Rick there.

“I know we hardly know each other.I know it’s been all of about five minutes.But I like you, Maddie,” he murmured.

I half turned in his embrace, my side pressed to his chest.He cupped a hand over my knee, his thumb tracing gentle circles there, making awareness dance up and down my leg.“I like you, too.”

“I wanna see where this goes.But I know you’re just coming out of a break-up, and you don’t live here…” he trailed off, holding my gaze with those intense hazel eyes.He looked sincere and my heart warmed.

“I want to see where it goes, too,” I admitted.

He lowered his head a little.

I waited for him to kiss me, every fiber inside me buzzing, but instead, he just rested his forehead against mine, and we breathed each other in.Everything went quiet inside me.I let my eyes drift closed, anchoring myself in the moment by curling my fingers into the open neck of his soft, well washed shirt.The material was warm against my skin.I wanted to burrow inside it and never leave.

Somehow, this moment was more intimate without a kiss.He just wanted to be here, with me, with no expectations, and that made me want him so, so much more.

He murmured my name, and the syllables in his honeyed voice were the best thing I’d heard in an age.

My phone rang aggressively, startling me slightly out of his hold.

“Ignore it,” Rick whispered.

I did, snuggling back into him.Every iota of me was on fire for this man.I wanted him desperately.In sexy physical ways, but also in small ways.I just wanted to stay in his orbit, absorb the relaxed, safe feeling I got around him.

But who was I kidding?I also wanted to touch him and be touched by him.

Learn what made him sigh and what made him groan with pleasure.

The thought made my inner muscles clench with thick, hotwant.

The phone kept ringing.“Sorry.I’ll just answer it real quick.”With regret, I shuffled away from him, and plucked my phone from my purse.The display showed a number I didn’t recognise.“Hello?”

“Is this Madeleine Liu?”

Beeping could be heard in the background.

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