Page 22 of Breakaway Hearts

But Reese didn’t seem bothered by it at all.Hewas the one who insisted I sit there, and it certainly didn’t seem like I was too much for him.

That thought makes something warm fill my chest as the conversation continues around the table. Everyone has moved on from the subject of Coach Dunaway’s daughter, and they’re instead bantering about who has done the most impressive hike while living in Denver.

I join in here and there, and the tension I’ve been holding in my shoulders since we got here slowly dissolves. It’s a good reminder that, for longer than I’ve been Reese’s “girlfriend,” I’ve been his friend, and a friend to all his teammates as well. We chat easily, eventually coming to the conclusion that the surprising winner of the most impressive hike is Grant.

“Oh, I see. Maybethat’swhat you get up to all those times when you refuse to come out with us,” Theo teases with a smirk.

“I do my best thinking up in the mountains,” the big goalie grunts, shrugging.

They keep talking, and I reach out instinctively for a drink that isn’t there. Reese has been gone a while, I realize, and the main part of the event will probably be happening soon, if the tapering influx of people says anything. While the guys keep up with their lively banter, I turn in my seat—only to feel my stomach sink.

Reese and Sienna are standing next to the open bar. He has two drinks in his hands, and she smiles as he says something to her. I can’t help but notice how stunning she looks in her form-fitting black dress. Her hair falls loosely down her shoulders, and when she lays her hand on his arm and leans closer to him as she replies, I rise to my feet without thinking.

Margo says something as I begin to walk their way, but I don’t hear it. I keep my eyes on Reese and Sienna as the rest of the room seems to fall away. My feet move automatically, and it isn’t until Reese glances over and smiles at me that I realize I’m only a few feet away from them.

“Callie,” he says. He holds out one of the drinks for me, but I don’t take it.

Instead, I walk right up to him and go up on my tiptoes.

I wrap my arms around his neck.

Then I press my lips against his.

Reese freezes against me, and it’s a miracle we don’t clash teeth like sloppy teenagers. It’s awkward and strange, and I know I sprang this kiss on him out of the blue without so much of a thought of what it means, but still, his lips are full and warm. They’re a little tense at first as his body stiffens in surprise, but then they soften, molding against mine.

My heart thuds heavily—once, twice, three times—and then I pull away.

We’re so close, closer than we’ve ever been, and we stare into each other’s eyes. His rich brown eyes are wide with shock as they bounce between mine, his lips slightly parted. I wait for his safe word, or worse, for him to burst out laughing or something.

But he doesn’t.

Instead, he drops his head and kisses me again. It’s more intentional this time, and although he’s still got his hands full with our drinks, he wraps his arms loosely around me, stepping closer so that our bodies are flush against each other. I’m not quite sure what to do with my hands, so I end up gripping the lapels of his suit—either trying to hold him in place or to anchor myself, I’m not sure.

He smells like sandalwood and amber, and when I draw in a quick breath through my nose, the scent fills my nostrils.

His tongue delves gently between my lips, like he’s tasting me, a little shock of pleasure shoots through my body. For a second, I forget where we are. I forget why we’re doing this. All I can think about is Reese, the scent and feel of him, and the hint of whiskey on his tongue.

He tightens his arms around me, and I let out the smallest of whimpers into his mouth.

Someone clears their throat.

Reese and I separate at that sound, and I blink as if I just came out of a years-long coma. My legs feel like they did after the only time I did one of Peg’s suggested workouts, shaky and unsteady beneath me. Reese has a look on his face that I’ve never seen before. He looks almost… dazed. Confused.

“I got you an old fashioned,” he says.

“Thanks.”

I make no move to take it, and he makes no move to give it to me. Then I catch Sienna’s expression out of the corner of my eye, and the way she’s watching us flips everything back into focus.

Right.

I kissed him to make her jealous. And I think it’s working.

Giving Reese a big smile, I pluck the drink out of his hand. Then I turn to face Sienna, feeling his now empty palm settle at my waist.

“Hi, Sienna. It’s a great turnout tonight, don’t you think?” I ask brightly. Honestly, I have no fucking idea if it’s a good turnout or not, but it seems like a safe conversation topic to land on while my brain scrambles to right itself.

“Yeah, it’s wonderful. You look”—her gaze scans my dress, and she sounds grudgingly honest as she finishes—“really good.”

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