Page 34 of Maximum Dare
He nipped my lower lip, his tongue darting into my mouth, his hand reaching around to the back of my neck to pull me closer as we forgot time and place…forgot that we hated each other…and that we had an audience.
Finally, he broke away.
“Daisy,” he whispered.
I sat up quickly, realizing what I’d done.
Sitting astride Max with my face on fire, I let out a shaky breath. “You…saved me.”
Max managed a grin. “Right up until you knocked me into tomorrow.”
I climbed off him and leapt to my feet, vaguely aware of the applause coming from my teammates.
Max stood up and gave a charming bow to the cheering crowd, acknowledging his act of chivalry.
You kissed him.
You actually kissed Nick’s brother.
Have you lost your mind?
“Sure you’re okay?”
He stretched as though realigning his spine. “I don’t think there’s any permanent damage.”
He wasn’t mentioning the kiss. Not now, not ever, hopefully. The embarrassing mistake I’d made in front of everyone was running through my mind on repeat.
I covered my flushed cheeks with my hands.
Max reached out to pull my hands away from my face. “I’m just glad you’re not hurt.”
His touch sent a shiver through me.
As though rising from a trance, I almost began jumping up and down with happiness at the realization that I’d completed the first dare. Somehow, I’d done the unthinkable. I’d risked my life for one moment of bravery.
Seeing my elated expression, Max gave my shoulder a friendly pat. “Well done.”
All he was doing was standing there, being Max, and I was bewitched.
He brushed off his trousers. “That actually looked like fun.”
I beamed at him. “It was amazing.”
Everyone was still buzzing from the rush. The daring few who had risked life and limb to partake in this ridiculous scheme were laughing, adrenaline spiking their veins like the people you see coming off a rollercoaster.
My thoughts cleared enough for me to ask Max how he had come to be at the hotel.
“I’m staying here.” He ran a hand through his tousled hair. “I set up my office at the Waldorf when I’m in town. Thought I’d grab a drink at the bar.”
Thinking back, I seemed to recall he’d mentioned staying here before. It was an amazing coincidence.
Ted walked over and handed me my phone. It had slipped out of my grasp during the bumpy landing. I stopped the recording and then tucked it into my back pocket.
“That was quite some performance, Daisy,” he said, grinning.
I tried not to feel self-conscious. “Thank you for the near-death experience, Ted.”
“Plenty more of that to come. We’ll send out an email with tomorrow’s meet-up location.” He slapped his hands to get everyone’s attention. “Let’s all have a drink together.”
