Page 101 of Nails
As they moved away from the food and into the game zone, they passed a ring toss booth, and Riley’s eyes locked on the massive stuffed panda sitting high on the prize shelf.It was ridiculously oversized, but ridiculously cute.
She looked at Nails.“I want that,” she blurted out.
Nails followed her gaze and chuckled.“You want a life-sized panda?”
“Yep,” she said.Her smile grew bigger.“I love pandas.”
“You do know that most of these games are rigged so that it’s almost impossible to win?”
She tilted her head to the side and grinned.“Are you saying that you can’t do it?”
He smirked and then leaned in close, so close that there were only centimeters of air between their lips.“Challenge accepted, sweetheart,” he told her before closing the distance and giving her a kiss that probably had the game attendant blushing.
After he released her lips, he winked and then handed the guy a wad of Hong Kong dollars.
Surprisingly, it only took Nails three tries, some lucky aiming, and an uncomfortably intense stare-down with the attendant, when the guy wouldn’t just let Nails buy the stuffed animal.But he landed the winning shot.
The attendant handed the panda to Nails with a grin.He carried it over and gave it to her like a trophy.“For you, my Special Agent.”
She laughed and hugged the stuffed animal.
“Okay, that was impressive.”
He looked down at her, and his eyes softened.“I like seeing you smiling and laughing.”
Her heart fluttered.Damn, this man kept surprising her.
They started walking again, this time Nails led them toward the water’s edge, leaving behind the buzzing energy of the carnival.They found a bench tucked beneath a tree that offered a view of the harbor.
“I wish we weren’t here for work,” Riley said quietly.
Nails nodded beside her.“Yeah.It would’ve been nice to come here for a real vacation.”
She glanced over at him.“Thanks for bringing me tonight.I really needed this.”
He turned to face her just as she leaned in, and their lips met in a kiss that was slow and unhurried.There was no heat, no urgency, just feeling.
Her heart thudded hard in her chest.It had been a long time since she felt something like this.Since someone had made her feel wanted.
Nails was gentle and patient, and yet strong enough to make her feel like nothing could touch her while he was near.
She deepened the kiss for a moment, savoring it before pulling back slightly and resting her forehead against his.She was feeling very emotional.She tried to stop it, but a few tears leaked from her eye.
“Hey, I didn’t bring you to the carnival just to make you cry,” Nails said with a half-smile as he used his thumb to brush away the tears.
She laughed as she sniffled.“I’m fine.I swear.I was just thinking.”
He nodded, giving her time to gather her thoughts and talk if she wanted to, which she appreciated.
“I was thinking about how long it’s been since I’ve felt like someone really cared,” she admitted softly.“Since my mom died, it’s just been me.I’ve been alone for a long time.”
Nails’ expression turned serious.He tucked a strand of hair that was now down behind her ear.
“You’re not alone anymore,” he said softly.“You’ve got me now.And you’ve got the rest of the team.
She looked at him.“Can I ask you something?”
“Of course.”
