Page 63 of Actually Yours

Her brown eyes take on a liquid quality and I wonder if I’ve upset her. By once again saying too much.Maybe you should keep your big mouth shut, Jake!

“Thank you.” She whispers these two words, a wealth of sincerity behind them. “I mean it, thank you.”

We sway together, pressed close, and I give in. My cheek rests on top of her silky hair and I feel it: that this is where I’m supposed to be. And that it’s time to do something about it.

“Do you want to get another drink?” I ask as the music stops and I have to pull away from her. Reluctantly.

She looks over my shoulder and panic dances across her face.

“Uh oh.”

I turn to see what she’s looking at, and there, standing a few metres away from us, are the man mountain and the electrician. Still together, eagerly scouring the room. I only need one guess to figure out what—who—they’re looking for.

“Hide me!” Amelia jumps behind me, her small frame completely hidden as she tucks herself close to my back.

“Gladly,” I mutter, secretly thrilled that not only is she choosing to hide from these two men but that she’s involving me in the shenanigans.

“How do you want to play this?” I ask over my shoulder through clenched teeth, like we’re together on a secret mission again.

She flashes me a smile, clearly thinking back to the escape room as well.

“Is there any way we can back away, slowly, out of the room? With you keeping me out of their sight?”

The whole thing is absurd, but I’m not hating the way she’s pressing her body against mine.

“Let’s take small steps backwards. The exit is just over there.” I tilt my head towards the front door and I feel her nod against me.

“You keep watch.”

“Yes, mam.”

She giggles. I love it.

“Ready?”

I put my arm around her, securing her close to me, and in unison, we take slow measured steps towards the exit. Not looking ridiculous at all.

“How did I let you get me in this situation?” I ask, smiling at the people watching us with bemused expressions on their faces.

“It’s all Bella’s fault,” she grumbles, now putting her arm around my front and holding on. Wonderful.

“Remind me to thank her later,” I mutter, revelling in the feel ofherholding on tome.

“What?”

“Nothing. Are we almost there yet?”

So far, we’d drawn the attention of about half the people in the room, but luckily not that of the two men she’s running away from.

“Just a couple more steps.”

I feel the cooler night air on my back and know we are close to mission success. A shame really; I could’ve done with a few more minutes of Amelia this close to me. Of Amelia needing me, if only to help her run away from her other potential suitors.

“We did it!” She lets go only to step in front of me, looping her arms around my neck and hugging me, from the front this time. “Thank you!”

Her voice, that husky voice, is higher with happiness and relief, and I squeeze her back. Breathing her in.

“You’re welcome.”

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