My head whips to face her, not enjoying my predatory tiger purring in satisfaction.
She rolls her eyes and tucks her earbuds in, ready to return to her book.
Meanwhile, I’m being tortured. Every little chuckle she makes grates on my nerves. She saves a little smirk so that I know when Austin’s chapter rolls around again, and it suddenly feels unreasonable that some imaginary guy I made up is getting all my credit.
With a growl, I pull out her right earbud and hold it hostage in my fist.
“Hey.What is with you?”
“I’m Austin Davis,” I blurt out, and the heavy weight of my secret lifts from my chest.
Her high-pitched, delirious cackle echoes in the quiet space, and a few other passengers mutter their complaints. With deep wheezy laughs, she holds the side of her stomach, gasping for air.
My back stiffens. It’s impossible to not take her obnoxious reaction personally. Is it so farfetched for her to believe I’m the man behind the voice?
“That’s the silliest thing I’ve heard. Are you going to suggest Mr. Sherman next?”
“No, because I’m Austin,” I press.
Dipping to one side, she leans on the window for support, peals of laughter rolling through her. “Stop. You’re killing me.”
“Why do you think his voice sounds so familiar?”
“Please. Like you’d know anything about recording an audiobook. You barely read.”
Beyond my limit, I cup her jaw and lean in to prove my point. She freezes when my mouth brushes her earlobe, and I repeat the part of the book we had listened to together. “I’m tired of running from my feelings—running from you. You’re everything I’ve been searching for, Reese.”
“Annie,” she whispers, her voice so low I almost miss it. “Her name is Annie.”
I pull back slowly so that the bristles of my beard glide across her jaw. I stop when my mouth is an inch away.
Wide eyed, she holds my stare, the truth of my declaration in her eyes. But it’s not enough. I want to hear her say it.
“Do you believe me now?” The rumble in my throat isn’t for show.
She nods once, unable to do more.
“Admit it. Out loud.”
Tell me you feel that connection with me.
My thumb traces the line of her jaw—a big mistake. I shouldn’t have touched her, because now that I have, my fingers ache for more. To trace the lines of her face and down the smooth skin of her neck. With each heave of my chest, another thread of self-control snaps free until I can’t think of any reason why I should stop.
The cotton candy gloss on her lips calls my name.
“Just one. Please...please...” I whisper, begging on repeat until my lips press gently into hers.
I shudder at the sizzle of contact that burns between us. It’s only the barest of kisses, but it’s more than I’ve ever felt with any other girl I’ve dated. She’s the first spark I’ve experienced, my bright burning flame which beckons me closer. I can’t help but test the limits and press into the heat, praying I don’t get burned.
I want more.
I want her.
But more than that, I want her to want me too. For her to know this isn’t Austin, an imaginary person, but the man she’s known her whole life.
Our lips still cling together as we break apart, almost refusing to be separated. Her blonde lashes rest on her cheeks, her lips slightly parted. Our breaths mingle together, her rapid puffs of air fanning my face as I wait.
“Reese...” Her name is like a contented sigh I’ve been holding, bubbling up through my lips.
