You’d think at my height I’d tower over most people, and I usually do, but in a sea of Olympic athletes, I’m not even one of the tallest people here.
Standing on my tiptoes, I hold onto Liv’s shoulders as I continue to search for Luke and his teammates.
“Anything?” Liv asks while peering up at me.
“There’s too many people!”
My eyes search but it’s all a blur. Colors start blending together and you wouldn’t believe all the ridiculous headwear happening around here.
I’m about to give up when I feel a hand on my shoulder.
“You’re going to hurt yourself up there, Smith.”
It may be loud as shit in here, but I’d know that voice anywhere.
Letting go of Liv, I slowly turn and am met with the most dazzling smile. Luke’s face is lit up like the fourth of July and it’s the most beautiful sight I’ve ever seen.
The cobblestone streets of Stockholm lined with historic, colorful buildings don’t hold a candle to the beauty that is Lucas Morgan.
“Hi.”
It’s the only thing that comes out of my mouth. Under normal circumstances, I’d have some snide comeback at the ready, but I’m stunned silent by how good he looks right now.
All of us are decked out in the same outfit. We’re dressed from head to toe in the most stylish Ralph Lauren apparel: an iconic American flag wool sweater covered by a crisp white, wool winter coat with wooden toggles complete with matching white trousers. Some of us are also sporting red, white, and blue knit hats and mittens.
But Luke doesn’t blend in with the sea of American colors.Not at all. His blue eyes pop against the white of his jacket and the blue neck of his sweater. He’s not wearing a hat and his chestnut hair is tousled in the most effortless way while the five-o'clock shadow that covered his face yesterday has grown in a bit, making him look rustic and handsome as hell. And then there’s that damn smile. It’s not even the perfectly straight, white teeth that I’m focused on. It’s the two dimples in his cheeks that cause me to nearly fall to my knees in front of him.
“Hi back.” His eyes are still locked on me, even after I very obviously checked him out for the past thirty seconds.
I shiver from the intensity of his stare and to my surprise, he starts rubbing his hands up and down my arms.
“You cold?” He continues to move his hands along my arms and I’m at a loss for what to say.
No, I’m not cold. I’m shaking because I’m holding myself back from leaping into your arms and sticking my tongue down your throat.
I obviously can’t say that, so I lie through my teeth. “A little.”
He reaches behind him and pulls his knit USA hat out from god knows where and sticks it over my head, covering my spiral curls and ears in the process. “Better?”
His hands stay on my shoulders and the feel of him, even through these layers of clothing, causes me to shiver again.
“Apparently not. Come here.”
I must be in an alternate universe, because the next thing I know, Luke is pulling me into him and wrapping his arms around me, cradling my head to his chest.
Holy fuck, I am in heaven.
I could literally stay like this forever, but the sound of the announcer’s voice introducing the United Arab Emirates steals my attention.
The parade of athletes was conducted in alphabetical order this year, meaning we’re next up.
Instead of pulling away, I breathe him in for anothersecond. My fingers flex at the back of his coat before I finally loosen my hold on him.
When I finally do move, he follows for half a heartbeat, before seeming to force himself to step away.
“Thanks. I’m definitely feeling warmer now.”
Liv snorts next to me and I turn and narrow my eyes at her.
