“You have to stay inside the house, and no hiding in other people’s bedrooms.” Connor dims the lights on the main floor. “Any other rules we should lay down?”
“You can’t steal someone else’s spot once they’re in it,” Rix says.
“Sounds good.” Connor turns to face the wall. “I’ll count to one hundred. Get to hiding!”
Everyone scatters, the guys yelling after each other. Everly’s gleeful giggles bounce off the walls.
“Find your own spot, Dallas!” Hemi calls.
I rush upstairs, along with a handful of other people. I wait until most of our friends have found their spot before I start searching for my own. Sometimes it’s best to hide in plain sight.
I peek my head into a small sitting room. A huge barrel chair is set in front of an enormous window. To the left is a small alcove with a door that’s been covered in the same wallpaper asthe rest of the space, so it’s nearly seamless, apart from the ornate knob.
I open it as Connor calls out seventy-nine. Spare bathrobes hang in a neat row. Connor calls out eighty-two. I’m running out of time, so I duck into the closet, pull the door closed behind me, and tuck my body behind the robes.
Connor’s voice is muffled, but I finally hear, “Ready or not, here I come!”
A moment later, the closet door opens and another person pushes into the small space. “Fuck, shit.” Flip pulls the door closed with a quietsnick. The metal hangers clink against each other.
“Flip, shh,” I whisper. I don’t want to be the first one found.
“Talls?” He bangs his arm against something.
“Shh. Yeah.” I tap the rod with my nail. “You have to duck to get under this.” His silky hair brushes my fingers as he does.
The hangers tinkle loudly. He mutters more profanity.
The space was cramped with just me, but now it’s impossible to move without touching him. My stomach twists with fresh nerves and anticipation.
“Sorry,” he says. “I didn’t mean to steal your spot.”
“It’s okay,” I whisper. “You’re here now. Let’s just stay quiet.” I try to calm my breathing, but it sounds loud in my ears.
Tension sparks like a live wire between us as his fingers skim my arm. “You okay?”
I nod, then realize he can’t see the movement in the dark. “Yeah,” I breathe.
His fingers continue to drift up my arm, sending a hot shiver down my spine. They sweep over my shoulder and brush my neck. I don’t know what’s happening, but I don’t want it to stop.
He drops his head, and his cheek brushes mine until his lips are at my ear. I exhale a shuddery breath at the closeness and the contact.
His voice is a barely audible whisper, warm minty breathbreaking across my skin. “Feels karmic to end up in here with you.”
“You can’t escape me today, can you?” I murmur.
“Or maybe you can’t escape me,” he counters.
He cups my cheek in his palm, the tension between us visceral.
“Maybe it’s me who keeps seeking you out,” he whispers. “Even though I shouldn’t.”
“I don’t mind being trapped in here with you,” I whisper.
“Fuck, Talls.” His voice is a pained whisper as his thumb sweeps along the edge of my jaw. “You’re breaking me down.”
I suck in a breath as my heart gallops and races. “I’m not trying to.”
“Not even with that bikini today?”
