Brandon runs a sheepish hand through his hair, and I can’t tell if the red in his cheeks is from embarrassment or the cold. He tilts a shoulder and says, “Should a magician reveal his tricks?”
That’s all the confirmation I need. It’s one thing toknowBrandon is a playboy, but it’s another to feel the sting of a date that I thought was meant for me—after who knows how many girls already experienced it. Honestly, a candlelit picnic would have melted me, and I‘m already in danger of puddling for this cunning man like a soupy snowman. So I’m thankful, because it reminds me of exactly who I’m dealing with.
Brandon isn’t a commitment-type guy. And I’m not a commitment-type girl.
I mentally apply another layer of non-cling spray and douse myself for good measure.
“What’s my dare?” I change the subject, bouncing on the balls of my feet and swinging my arms. I’m more than ready to abandon whatever feelings these are and have some careless fun. “You said you get the next dare.”
Brandon opens his mouth, then closes it with an unreadable expression. He looks like he wants to say something, but he shakes his head instead.
“I’m not sure yet.”
A few minutes of walking pass before he tugs me in a new direction. A familiar bare tree line comes into view, and I yelp with excitement.
“Jackson Park! I love this place! My Grandma?—”
“Brought you here to see the cherry blossoms as a kid, I remember.” Brandon’s smile is so gentle that I suddenly don’t feel cold anymore.
I stop and study him. Just when I think Brandon is all smooth talk, he goes and does something thoughtful. Like he might care about getting to know me enough to remember the little details I share with him.
Brandon must read the confusion on my face, because he gives a boyish shrug before he continues. “And then you proceeded to honor her memory with a hideous painting.”
I laugh. “I still have it, too. It’s under my bed. Couldn’t bear to throw the ugly thing away.”
“What? Ok. Now Ihaveto see it.”
I pull up short and yank my arm out of Brandon’s. “No way. You already saw the figure-drawing picture I did of you. Was that not horrifying enough?”
“You can’t scare me off that easily, Kate.” Brandon steps close and lifts both of my gloved hands in mid-air until my palms are pressing against his. He takes a moment to admire the contact before he knits his fingers through mine and pulls me to him. Our hands stay clasped between our chests as he softly kisses me on the cheek.
My body fills with so much heat, I bet he can see it radiating off me.
Brandon pulls back and gives me a lopsided grin. “Plus you don’t have a choice, remember? I get the next dare, and Idareyou to show me.”
I can’t form words. I can’t form thoughts.
All I can feel is the ghost of those full lips on my cheek and the scratch of his stubble.
“Kate?”
I snap out of my trance. “Fine. But I want a bonus dare. An honorary dare. A freebie, if you will.”
Brandon cocks his head to the side, raising a model-worthy eyebrow. “And why on earth would I do that?”
I bat my thick lashes. “Because you’re a gentleman and I’m a damsel in distress.”
“You can’t use your femininity to get free stuff.” He laughs. “And you’re not in distress.”
“Yes, I can, and yes, I am.Youdistress me.”
His rumbly laugh grows louder, and I grin.
“Fine,” he says. “One complimentary dare coming up. Don’t say I never gave you anything.”
I squeal like I’m in high school and take off running down the sidewalk. Brandon chases after me until I round the corner and stop in front of a mattress store.
“Go bounce on the beds.” I point to the window with a breathless laugh.
