“Who’s Skye?” I ask.
“She’s—”
“She’s your best friend, right?” Nate cuts her off quickly.
“Bestest friend,” Claud corrects him.
“Movie time,” he reminds her.
“Oh, yeah. Bye!” Claud races off, then suddenly I’m reminded I’m alone with Nate in the small copy room.
I take a step away, not that it gives me much space, but the way the air quickly thickens, I know I’ll need that extra inch.
Nate’s blocking the exit, so I pretend to go through the cabinets and occupy myself. The best I can come up with is a ream of paper for my small personal printer.
“Got it.” I hold it and turn, but Nate’s there, and he’s advancing quickly.
He grips the counter behind me, arms braced on either side of me, locking me into place. “And what about you, Mads?” His voice trembles from the low octave, and it’s a straight shot down my body.
“What about me?” I ask, my voice coming out like a wisp of air.
He leans in so we’re face-to-face, his eyes are dilated, my chest is heaving, and just like every other time I’ve been around him, I have the overwhelming urge to reach up and press my lips to his.
To feel the sparks I get when I’m around Nate, the ones I denied missing for way too long.
“What are you wearing?” He reaches up and grips my ponytail and pulls my head back. His breath against my neck causes an involuntary moan to slip through my lips. “Is it velvet?” he whispers. “Soft against your body, or maybe silk, where you’ll think about me every time the smooth fabric caresses your skin.” His lips graze the shell of my ear. I close my eyes, aching for them to trail lower. “I’m right, aren’t I? I’ll be the only one on your mind.”
Footsteps echo in the hall, shattering the moment.
Nate stands back, looking totally at ease, while I’m a hot mess.
And in places I’d like not to think about right now, I’m more like a wet mess.
“See you tomorrow…Goddess.” He winks, and just like that, I know I can’t hold off any longer.
“Tomorrow,” I say aloud, heart hammering.
Tomorrow is the day I tell Nate about Corey.
A sigh behind me draws my attention toward my bed. “What’s wrong with you?” I ask Addie.
“Reread the invitation.” She smiles at me as she gets comfy in my bed. “It’s bloody romantic.”
Have aliens taken over my best friend’s body, because what the hell? I shoot her a perplexed look. “Did you suddenly become British? And you hate romance.”
Ever since Addie’s first and only boyfriend broke up with her a few years ago, she’s never let herself believe in the male species again.
Me…I guess I’m stupid enough that I’ve never let the dream go.
“My guilty pleasure lately has been watching reruns ofDownton Abbey.” My mouth gapes; she hates period shows, whereas I love them. “Sue me.” She laughs, then motions for the invitation.
Good because I wasn’t rereading it.
She turns on her side, propping herself up, and reads the invitation out loud as I finish my makeup.
Save The Date
You are summoned to attend Moonlight & Masquerade.
