I blink, completely frazzled. Which is the only reason I can give for why I ask, “Why are you here?”
He isn’t put off by my question. No, not Dawson Sinclair. He flashes me a wide smirk, pulling at the strands of hair on the back of his neck. “When there is a chance I can see you, you should know by now I’m going to take it.”
I do know.
As I get lost in his eyes, I wish instead of adding Tajín to the limeade, I’d added tequila, because then I’d have an excuse for the next thing I do. It’s almost as if I don’t have control of my body with the way I go up on my toes and pause right before my lips touch his skin. Neither of us is breathing, only staring into each other’s eyes. “Thank you.”
“You don’t need to thank me.”
Dawson’s response stirs all kinds of emotions in my chest. “Can I kiss you?”
He sucks in a sharp breath. “Please.”
I have never heard a man beg like that, but I can’t think too hard about it. I push up higher before ever so softly pressing my lips to the bottom of his jaw. The hairs on his chin tickle my lips, and I want so badly to nuzzle them. I can’t, though. Even though it seems like it’s just him and me, I know our families are watching. As I pull back, it’s almost comical how surprised he is. His jaw is slack, his eyes wide, and when his hand moves to where my lips touched, he blinds me with the biggest smile.
“Your breath doesn’t stink, by the way.”
Even his eyes are smiling. “How could you tell? You missed my mouth.”
I wink. “Nope. I hit my mark.”
“Can I hit mine?”
I snort, flashing him a racy grin. His eyes brighten, and his laughter runs down my spine. He tries to reach for me, but I’m too quick. I move away to greet his family, but before I get to them, I glance back at him. His eyes are molten…and that smile. Jesus above, I’m in trouble. But really, what did I expect? I have been fighting this dude with everything I have, and now, I just willingly kissed him.
I feel like I’m in my own version ofHamilton.
I’m the British, waving the white flag.
Dawson, he’s Alexander Hamilton.
And he’s not going to throw away the shot I just gave him.
The Rowe Report: Episode 1049: A Delayed call from the Johanssons.
Brie Johansson: God, Vaughn was brash, cocky, and talented the moment I held out the mic to him. He made me want to kick him in the balls with how he made it seem likeIwas lucky enough to interview him.
Vaughn Johansson: I wanted her to notice me. I mean, look at her. She’s a knockout, but she wassooooprofessional.
Laughter.
Ambrosia Mercer: What changed?
Vaughn Johansson: I moved in across the hall from her apartment, and I decided she was going to be mine.
Brie Johansson: And one thing about Vaughn, or any hockey player with a goal, when they want to score, they will keep trying until that little hunk of rubber is in the back of the net.
Ambrosia Mercer: So you gave him a chance?
Brie Johannson: Rather, he took it.
Laughter.
Brie Johannson: And I know this is about how falling in love changed his game, but it changed my life. I went from being alone, hating men because I had been hurt so many times, and struggling to care for my brother, to having someone to lean on. To laugh with. To love. I’m not saying I elevated his game, because Vaughn has always been on top, but he sure as hell elevated my life.
Vaughn Johannson: Brie, sweetheart, you changed everything for me. I am a husband, a brother-in-law, and a father of three girls. The way I play, the way I live, the way I love. You elevated it all.
CHAPTER
