Instead, I press my lips to her hairline, right where her skin meets those silky black strands. The softest fucking kiss I've ever given anyone.
"Where the hell did that come from?" My voice is wrecked, barely recognizable.
Reese's lips curve into a smile that's equal parts shy and wicked. "I wanted to cross off my very first thingon my list."
I pull back slightly, my hands still gripping her hips. "What fucking list?"
"The bucket list I just wrote ten minutes ago while you were brooding on the couch." She looks almost smug, her legs still wrapped around my waist like she belongs there. Like she's always belonged there.
"You put me on your fucking bucket list?" Something dark and possessive unfurls in my chest. I can't decide if I'm flattered or pissed that I'm just another item to check off.
"Kissing you again was number one." Her fingers trace the line of my jaw, thumb brushing over my bottom lip.
I need to see what else is on that fucking list. Now.
Grabbing her wrists, I pull her off the countertop in one swift motion. My hand wraps around hers as I drag her back to the living room, my mind racing with possibilities. What else does she want to do?
I stop in front of the couch, turning to face her. "Show me the list."
Her eyes widen, cheeks flushing pink. "Serious?"
"Yes, show me the list." My voice drops an octave, leaving no room for argument. "I'm not asking. If you have a bucket list, I need to make sure none of it is an immediate no."
She huffs, the blush spreading down her neck as she stands there fidgeting. I can practically see the war happening behind those hazel eyes—embarrassment fighting against desire, her need to maintain control battling with the urge to surrender.
I wait, arms crossed over my chest, watching everymicroexpression flicker across her face. I'll wait all fucking night if that's what it takes.
Finally, she throws up her hands. "Ugh, fine! Have it your way." She snatches the notebook off the coffee table and tosses it at me.
I catch it one-handed, my eyes never leaving hers as I flip it open. The page is filled with her handwriting, some items crossed out, others circled, a few with stars next to them.
1. Kiss Ramsey and not a freaking peck
2. Swim at midnight under the stars
3. Have sex
4. Dance in the rain with someone with no lights
5. Find out where Ramsey disappears to every couple of months with Copeland
6. Be chased
7. Get a tattoo
8. Ride a motorcycle myself
9. Find something worth breaking the rules for
There’s a few more, some sexy, some just adrenaline chasing.
"Jesus Christ, baby girl," I mutter, looking up from the notebook to find her watching me nervously, teeth worrying her bottom lip. "Where the fuck did all this come from?"
She shrugs, trying for nonchalance but not quite pulling it off. "Just stuff I've thought about. Things Iwant to try."
I tap the notebook with my finger, scanning the list again. Number five jumps out at me—"Find out where Ramsey disappears to every couple of months with Copeland." Fuck. Of course she wants to know that.
"Is this what you really want to do?" I ask, keeping my voice neutral even though my heart's hammering so hard I can feel it in my fucking teeth. "All of these things?"
