Page 89 of Sliding into Love
Gillies appears at our end of the table, holding what must be his third helping of dessert. "Royce, I just want to say, this was awesome. Like, seriously. Best team dinner I've ever been to."
"I'm glad you enjoyed it," I tell him. "You certainly ate enough."
"Hey, when the food is this good, you don't hold back." He grins, then glances at Kenneth. "Also, I'm really happy for you two. You make a good team."
Before either of us can respond, he bounds off to join another conversation, leaving Kenneth and me staring after him.
"Did that just happen?" Kenneth asks.
"I think it did."
Kenneth leans in close, his breath warm against my ear. "Can we sneak out for a minute?"
My pulse kicks up. "It's our party. We can't just leave."
"Five minutes," he murmurs. "Please, Your Majesty. I've been good all night. Kept my hands to myself in public. Didn't kiss you even though you look incredible. Didn't let your brother's embarrassing stories affect how I see you—which is still perfect, by the way. I think I've earned a reward."
The want in his voice does things to me. I glance around. Everyone is occupied, not one person paying attention to us.
"Five minutes," I agree. "The courtyard out back. Go first, I'll follow in a minute."
He blows me a quick kiss and then stands, making some excuse about needing air. I watch him weave through the crowd and slip out the back door.
I wait exactly sixty seconds, then catch Bell's eye. He takes one look at my face and shakes his head, but he's smiling.
"Go," he mouths. "We've got this."
I stand casually, making my own way toward the back exit. The courtyard is small and private, surrounded by brick walls covered in ivy, with a fountain in the center and soft lighting from lanterns hung around the perimeter.
Kenneth is waiting by the fountain, and the moment I step outside, he pulls me close.
"Five minutes," I remind him, even as I back him against the wall.
"Then we better make them count." His mouth finds mine, hungry and demanding. He opens for me immediately, hands sliding under my shirt, fingers splaying against my skin. I have to bite back a moan.
"Kenny," I groan when I break away.
He kisses down the side of my neck, like he can’t stop his lips from touching me in some way.
"We can't—people might—" My arguments sound weak even to my own ears.
"Let them." He bites down gently on a spot that makes me weak, and this time I don't hold back the sound. "God, Royce, you've been torturing me all night. Looking like that, being so perfect and in charge, making everyone feel welcome and included. Do you have any idea what that does to me?"
"Tell me," I command, slipping into that dominant voice that I know affects him.
He shudders against me. "Makes me want to worship you. Want to get on my knees and show you exactly how much I need you. Want to make you feel as good as you make everyone else feel."
"Later," I promise, fisting my hand in his hair and pulling his mouth back to mine. "When we get home, you can show me whatever you want. But right now, we have about three more minutes before someone comes looking for us."
"Worth it," he mutters against my lips.
We kiss like we're trying to memorize each other, like these five minutes are all we have instead of an entire night ahead of us. His hands are everywhere—my waist, my back, tangling in my hair, slipping under the skirt I wore.
And I give as good as I get, pressing in closer, deeper, needing more even though I know we can't have it here.
When we finally break apart, we're both breathing hard, my lips swollen and his hair a mess from my hands.
"You look thoroughly kissed," I observe, trying to smooth down his hair.
