Page 30 of Sneaking Around with the Player
“Oooooh, burn.” James holds a fist over his mouth as he laughs.
I shoot Emmett an apologetic smile. “But you’re obviously the best choice here.”
The guys cackle some more and my phone buzzes.
Beau: Yeah. Are you pissed? I should have warned you. It was a spontaneous decision. I couldn’t wait to see you. I’m outside.
“What do you want to drink?” Felix asks.
“Just grab me a water when the bartender comes by. I’m going to run to the restroom and then I think I saw a friend from school.”
“If she’s hot and single, bring her over,” Garrison says.
I force a smile. Yeah, I don’t think that’ll be happening.
I do stop in the restroom to check my makeup and take a few deep breaths. I send Beau a text that I’m headed to him and then I weave my way through the party, checking to make sure no one sees me go out the front door.
My stomach is in knots as I step into the cold night. Scanning the parking lot, I spot Beau leaning against a black SUV. He lifts a hand when our eyes meet. My stomach flips.
Among all the other emotions I felt at seeing him, excitement finally wins out now that we’re alone. I jog toward him as fast as my stilettos will let me, without twisting an ankle.
He straightens and moves quickly, those long legs eating the space between us.
“Hi.” I’m breathless when we’re finally standing a foot away from each other.
“Hey.” The Christmas lights strung around the resort reflect off his glasses. He still looks hesitant, like maybe he isn’t so sure this was a good idea. Ditto, but he’s here anyway.
I lunge for him, wrapping both arms around his neck. His arms go around my waist and he lifts me off the ground.
“Fucking finally.” He exhales and then sets me back down.
We keep clinging to each other. He has several inches on me, so the position has me tilting my head up to look at him. His gaze drops to my mouth.
“I want to kiss you, but I can’t decide if that’s jumping about ten steps ahead since we haven’t even held hands yet.”
“I don’t really like holding hands anyway,” I say as my heart hammers in my chest.
One side of his mouth lifts as he leans in so close, I can smell the hint of peppermint from his gum. “Good to know.”
Beau
Idrop my mouth to hers and we both linger in that position, neither of us pulling away or pushing for more. Frantic energy courses through me like a before-game rush. After a month of talking to this girl every day, she probably knows me better than anyone else, but this is only the second time we’ve ever been face to face.
Soft laughter slips from her lips, the movement and the sound vibrating against me.
A girl laughing while you kiss her isn’t usually a good sign.
“Something funny?” I ask, resting my forehead against hers.
“No. Sometimes I laugh when I get nervous.” She giggles again. “I can’t believe you’re here and we just kissed.”
“Should I not have come?” I pull back to stare into her brown eyes.
“No. I’m glad that you did. All night I’ve been wishing you were here and now here you are.” She waves a hand in front of me.
“You kinda like me, huh?” My lips curve into a smile and my pulse races.
Stella lifts up on her toes and slides her fingers through the hair at the back of my neck. “Just a little bit.”
