Page 53 of Right Number, Wrong Man
My heart pounds as I search for the right words, but I’m tongue-tied.
Hailey takes the present and runs a hand along the bow. Some glitter sticks to her fingertip, and I wish I was a piece of biodegradable glitter if it meant she’d touch me. Fuck, I’m desperate. At this point, she could punch me in the jaw and I’d thank her for it.
“What a pretty bow,” she muses, a smile curling her glossy lips. “Is this for your mom?”
“No… for… you…” I choke out.
“What did you say?”
I clear my throat, finally finding my voice again. Sort of. It’s got a weird high pitch like I’m a pre-pubescent boy trying to sound manly. “It’s for you. Remember we called a truce for tonight? Consider it a peace offering.”
Hailey’s cheeks turn crimson. “You shouldn’t have!”
“Open it.”
She slides off the bow and puts it on her lap before peeling off the sticky tape and unwrapping thepaper.
“What the fuck, Colt! A first edition DVD ofWraithface I, signed by the director? Forme? Are you serious?”
My heart lifts. “Sure am.”
Originally, I bought it online as a gift for her birthday next spring, but it seemed perfect for the occasion and I knew it would put her in a good mood. Some people might call this bribery, I call it diplomacy.
“I don’t know what to say…” Her eyes shine as they find mine and the gentleness in them tilts the world on its axis. She’s never looked at me this way before.
Without disdain.
My stomach swoops like I’m gonna vomit butterflies, but I force a casual smile. “Thank you will do just fine,” I say.
“Well, thank you so much, Colt!”
“Don’t mention it.”
Giggling, Hailey grabs the brim of my Stetson. Before I can react, she’s already taken it off and leans in.
Time slows to a crawl.
Her nose brushes against my beard, the feather-light contact sending me into a freeze response. My pulse blares as I suck in a shallow breath, smelling her fruity shampoo and her berry lip gloss.
What in the world is this devil woman up to?
19
COLT
Hailey’s lipspress to my cheek and adrenaline roars in my veins, making my hands shake and my body prickle with heat. The AC is blasting, but I’m about to combust.
She’s kissing me.
Hailey.
Is.
Kissing.
Me.
Her lips are softer than silk and slightly sticky from the gloss, but I never want to wipe it off. If it wouldn’t make me look like a madman, I’d get the print of her mouth tattooed on my face this instant.
