Page 60 of Bumping into You

A look of shock appears on her face as she realizes she’s kissed me. “I . . . I know that was against the rules.”

Not giving her another second, I lean back in and kiss her back.

But not just a peck. No, I let that all-consuming hope continue to weave its way through my soul and act on instinct.

Sliding one hand into her hair and the other around her waist, I pull her even closer to me. She doesn’t resist but kisses me back eagerly. Dropping her club, she puts her hands on my neck. I groan against her mouth as her hands play in my hair at the base of my neck.

Her strawberries-and-cream scent envelopes me as the wind rustles lightly. She tastes like a dream, and I never want to wake up. I’ve never been so attracted to someone in my life, and this firecracker is going to ruin me for anyone else.

Our tongues dance as our mouths meld together, andeverything else fades away. I feel her chest rising and falling in quick breaths in rhythm to mine. The feel of her soft skin at her waist as her shirt raises slightly up drives me insane. She shivers at my touch, and I can feel myself growing more needy.

A voice clears behind us, and we slowly pull apart. I remember that we are standing in the middle of the Putt-Putt course. Looking over, I see Bradley looking at the ground embarrassed and Tammy with her hand covering her mouth, trying to suppress a giggle.

Chapter 25

Gwen

“Fancy meeting you here,” Niall chimes cheerfully, drawing me in by his side. His arm wraps around me, making lazy circles with his thumb on my skin. His touch ignites a spark that surges outward, electrifying my senses.

“Apologies for holding things up,” Niall continues, gesturing toward me. “Gwen just aced a hole-in-one, and I guess we got a little carried away celebrating.”

Tammy, her eyes sparkling with giddiness, says, “Oh, no worries at all. I’d be just as happy if I were in her shoes.”

With a gentle turn, Niall guides me back toward our abandoned clubs as he says, “Well, we won’t hold you up any longer.” We gather our belongings and move onto the next hole. Niall quickly finishes hole eight in just two strokes.

I marvel at his focus, considering the playful escapade we’d just shared. What amazes me even more is how I yearn to continue what we started with that kiss. My feelings are a swirl of confusion. “This date wasn’t so bad,” I tell Niall.

Niall chuckles, a warm sound that eases my embarrassment. “Well, this not-so-bad date isn’t quite over yet.”

“No?”

“Nope. Ready for some Mexican food?”

“I love Mexican food!”How did he know?

“Cúla búla,” Niall grins. “There’s a little restaurant just on the other side of the ship. I’ve heard their nachos are amazing.”

After reaching the restaurant, we place our orders and findseats by the windows overlooking the mesmerizing expanse of water. The ocean’s beauty never ceases to amaze me. From the corner of my eye, I catch Niall’s gaze fixed on me.

His curiosity can’t be ignored. “Something troubling you?” he asks, his eyes probing.

“No, everything’s fine,” I reply, though thoughts of that unforgettable kiss swirl in my mind.Why did I have to get caught up in that moment?But it’s a kiss I can’t, no, won’t regret—it was electric, unlike any other.

“Right,” he says, a hint of amusement in his tone.

“Don’t ‘right’ me. You don’t know what I’m thinking,” I say, trying to conceal my thoughts, as if he really could read my mind. Sometimes I wonder about the way he’s so in tune to my emotions, to my expressions, to me.

Our plates arrive, laden with nachos and tacos, and we devour them eagerly.

“Feck,” says Niall, “the nachos and tacos vanished faster than I anticipated. Should we order more?”

“No,” I respond. “I think I’m sufficiently stuffed. I wouldn’t want to doze off during trivia tonight.”

“Good call. Shall we?” he asks, extending his hand to help me up.

I glance at his hand; my brief hesitation melts away. “We shall,” I respond, amused by our formality. After all, we just devoured some of the messiest food.

An exhilarating thrill courses through me as I take his hand in mine. He’s momentarily stunned before he breaks out into a smile.

---