Page 74 of #Moonstruck

“That’s cheating,” I said, pushing against his shoulder while he laughed. “That doesn’t count.”

“I hedge my bets. It wasn’t cheating. Besides, you didn’t set that as a parameter at the beginning. The win is good.”

It wasn’t something I wanted to argue about. I was glad he’d won. And that he’d found a way for me to say yes that seemed less big and scary. “Then I guess I’m coming to California with you.”

He tugged on my hand and jerked me forward, surprising me. I sprawled across his chest, and his lazy grin let me know that was exactly what he’d wanted.

“What’s that saying? To the victor go the spoils?”

His hand went around the back of my neck as his gaze focused on my lips. Breathing became virtually impossible. His thumb caressed the bottom of my earlobe, and it took every ounce of willpower I had not to purr like a cat. I needed him to kiss me now to end this torment.

But he didn’t move. Didn’t lean his head forward to connect us. He stayed put, like he was enjoying just watching me. My frustration and tension began to mount.

“If that’s your way of saying you’re going to kiss me, I’m okay with it.” I really was.

That first kiss had to be a fluke. Some kind of once-in-a-lifetime, stars-aligned, cosmically ordained situation. We could have only one first kiss, and nothing else could live up to all that anticipation, all that wanting and waiting.

Right?

“I like that we think so much alike. That we’re so similar.” His voice had that hazy, growly thing going on, and my stomach plummeted into my toes.

It wasn’t true. There were so many ways in which we were complete opposites. “Not quite. Did you forget you’re El Caliente and I’m the Ice Queen?”

“Sweetheart, do you know what happens when fire meets ice?”

“Water?”

He shook his head. “Steam.”

He was right. Complete, total, and utter steam.

Our first kiss had been no fluke.

CHAPTER TWENTY

I packed quickly and explained to my brothers what was happening. Ryan had graciously extended the invitation to them as well, but they were either grossed out by the idea of watching us together or didn’t want to intrude.

Fitz glowered disapprovingly in the kitchen. I told him about Ryan’s promise, but it didn’t seem to ease his mind. Cole made a perfunctory effort to talk me out of it, but I ignored him. I was an adult and could make my own decisions.

It seemed like a waste of money to use the entire bus for just Ryan and me, but I understood his flying phobia. Not to mention that since I’d spent so much time there already, it was starting to feel a little like home to me.

And whether that feeling was because of the bus or Ryan, I wasn’t sure.

Once we got onboard, considering how late it was already, we decided to go to sleep. I went into the bathroom to change and brush my teeth.

When I came out, I was surprised to find Ryan climbing into Fitz’s bunk above mine. “You have a huge, comfortable bed in the back,” I said.

“I know. I’d rather be here.”

That caused a series of funny twinges in my heart. I got into the bunk and lay on my right side. It was weird to think of Ryan being so close.

Then he put his left hand over the side. I reached up and interlaced my fingers with his.

“Good night, Maisy.”

“See you in the morning, Ryan.”

I fell asleep that way, holding on to his hand.