“All time?”
“Yes. Nothing will top this summer, Mack.” His voice deepened, and his eyes darkened. A moment passed, our breaths syncing when he glanced over my shoulder. “Okay, take the shots and march out the door.”
“Are they coming?”
“Shots. Now.”
I downed the two and forwent the lime, my adrenaline spiking at getting caught. Without a backward glance, I marched toward the exit, Dean right behind me. He grabbed my hand and went toward the elevators. Every beat of my heart was like a bass drum coursing through my body. It was terrifying, but I had never felt more alive.
“Come on,” Dean mumbled, hitting the up arrow over and over. He craned his neck, his jaw tense.
I glanced back to search.
“I don’t see them following us, but still, that was close.” He coughed.
“What are we doing going up? Shouldn’t we run out?”
“Fucking finally.” Dean led us into the elevator. We stared in silence at the hallway, and I exhaled when the doors finally shut.
“Holy shit,” I said, leaning my head forward. “That was exhilarating.”
“Ha, agreed. I don’t think they would’ve done anything but ask us who we were. That got my blood pumping.”
“Me too. That was…” I smiled, closing my eyes. I faced up toward the light and laughed. “Worth it.”
When I opened them, Dean stared at me with so much longing that words I should never say crept up my throat.
“You’re amazing.” Dean cupped my face. “I have to kiss you. You’re so happy, and I want to taste it.”
“Then kiss me.”
He did.
Gripping the side of my dress, he yanked me against him as he devoured my mouth. He groaned, loudly, as his other hand ran up and down my side, settling on my ass as he nipped my lip. “Fucking.” Kiss. “Perfect.”
The elevator dinged, and he straightened, a nervous, almostshy look crossing his face. He ran a hand through his hair as the tips of his cheeks pinkened. “Okay, uh, I had an idea that sounded romantic, and now I’m nervous.”
“What is it?” I frowned, confused why he would be unsure about me. I’d love anything he’d do. He had to know that by now. “What was your idea?”
“We checked off crashing a wedding from your list.” He chewed the inside of his cheek, his gaze darting down the hall. “I got us a hotel room that’s next to the pool. I figured we could… skinny dip and run back to our room. Late, of course. We don’t want to be caught. But only if you want to. Damn. You’re not smiling, so it’s stupid. Terrible idea.”
“Wait. No.” I shook my head. “You want to spend the night here, with me?”
“And lick you head to toe? Yes. I don’t want to worry about my sister or my teammates. I want to focus onyou,and selfishly, I have so much fun with you that I hate leaving.” He swallowed, his throat bobbing as he lowered his gaze to my mouth. “So, you want to skinny dip with me?”
“Oh my god.” It was my turn to kiss him. Were we real? No. Would this end? Yes. But was this the best night of my life? Without question.
I jumped onto him, wrapping my legs around him as I kissed down his neck. “Yes, to all of it. You are the best, Dean Romano. Let’s get naked.”
He laughed against my mouth. “I need my phone, baby, to get into the room.”
“Are you sure?” I tugged his earlobe with my teeth, loving how his whole body tensed. I did it again, taking in every movement. The way he sucked in a breath, the way his pulse raced at the base of his neck, and the way his grip on my ass tightened. It was all amazing, and I wanted to remember it forever.
“One second.” He reached into his pocket and removed his phone, the smell of vodka still on his breath, and I traced the outline of his mouth with my tongue. “Damn it, Mack.”
“You surprised me with ahotel room.No one has ever done that for me before. I’m excited!”
“I’m glad you are.” He walked us toward a room at the end of the hall. “Here we are.”
