When her laughter doesn’t stop, I say, “What? What’s so funny?”
But Rory shakes her head. “No ... it’s just ... we’re so bland. Adams and Smith? We might as well have Pilgrim hats and shoes with little gold buckles on them.”
I join in her laughter because she has a solid point. We’re laughing so hard that we’ve stopped in our place. She smacks my shoulder a couple of times, unable to get it together, before her humor morphs into straight terror.
Rory screams bloody murder, practically trying to climb my body as a rat the size of a terrier springs by. With a pizza crust in its mouth.
Instinct takes over, because as she wraps an arm around my neck, I reach down with one arm and scoop her up, holding her like a bride.
“Oh my god ... oh my god.” Her eyes are wide as she stares back at me.
I smile. “I gotta say, I didn’t think I was gonna be able to check that one off the list.”
She swallows hard. “May I never see another one ever again. That was terrifying. It bounced.”
I glance down around the car it scampered under before I start to put her down, but Rory’s not having anything to do with the ground.
“Nooo, you can’t put me down!”
“You want me to carry you almost four blocks to the next stop?”
She nods enthusiastically. “Please ... or at least past the cars.”
People walk by us, some staring, others smiling, before I cave. Because how can I not. She wants me to carry her.
Who am I but a slave to that smile tonight.
“All right ... but only because I’m afraid you’ll put me in a body cast if you see another one.”
I start walking as she giggles. “I’m sorry ... did I hurt you?”
The shrug I give isn’t great acting, but I’m going for charming, not believable. “It’s fine,” I say, pretending I’m trying to be strong. “I mean ... there might be a scratch or two on my neck ... possible scarring. But I’ll tough it out.”
“Aww, poor baby.”
Her fingertips brush my neck, and I can’t help but hold her a little tighter, parting the crowd the closer we get to Times Square. My arm not even remotely tiring, because I think the adrenaline coursing through me from her touch is enough to power me for another three blocks.
She tips her head back, taking in all the lights, and I can’t help but glance at her.
“Did you ever make it down here to the chaos before tonight?”
She nods. “Yeah, the first weekend I moved here. A group of us got a picture with a dude in a superhero costume labeled Fast Dude ... When I asked him who he was supposed to be, he said The Flash, but he couldn’t license the name.”
I laugh. “Only in New York.”
It’s too crowded to keep holding her, even though I would, so I slow. “I think you’re in the clear now. No rats ... at least that we can see.”
She scrunches her nose at me as I place her back on the ground, but before I straighten, she gently grabs my neck, pressing a kiss to the invisible scratches I made up.
Her lips are soft, and I want to turn my head and wrap my hand around her throat so I can kiss the hell out of her. But we’re almost done with her list, and I’m a man of my word.
I let out a quiet exhale before standing to my full height, eyeing her licking her lips. “All better?”
If she only knew.
“Hungry?” I answer, really hoping the answer’s yes, but she shakes her head. “Okay,” I swerve. “Then let’s find Fast Guy and maybe his green friend Strong Dude and do some dumb shit in Times Square until you’re ready to diner it up.”
Her fingers weave through mine before I lead us into the chaos. All the while, the only thing on my mind is that I can still feel her lips on my neck.
