“Aw, man,” I hear Garrett say.
“What the hell?” Shane says, and I bite my lip to hide my grin.
“You’re out, suckas,” Cole says, but I put a finger to my lips, silencing him.
Teddy is around here somewhere. I point toward the hallway again.
Cole goes first, and I follow, covering us from behind.
We inch down the hallway, pressed to the wall. I motion to the first bedroom. He sticks his head around and gives me the go-ahead.
We creep toward the next, but I catch movement. Teddy’s head pops around the corner behind us.
“Get down.” I shove Cole into the room as two darts fly past us.
He stumbles backward, tripping over a rug, and I tumble, landing on top of him.
I can’t move. Everything is still. The entire weight of my body rests on his. A flash zips past the door on the way to the flag, but it’s game over. All I can see and hear is the beat of my heart as I stare into Cole’s eyes.
We’re nose to nose, his hands gripping my hips. There’s an inch between my mouth and his, and it would be so easy to just. . .
To know what it feels like—my lips on his. To kiss. But not just kiss. To know what it feels like to kiss Cole Matthews.
What the hell am I doing?
My pulse quickens, all blood racing fast and furious. Flight mode kicks in, and I’m gone.
I roll off of him, trying not to panic, but it’s attacking all senses, including my sound judgment.
I’ve never thought about kissing a man. Never wondered what it would be like. I’ve never allowed myself, but now—
Holy shit! What am I thinking?
I round the corner, not having any idea where I’m going, while trying not to hyperventilate.
“Ryder, wait.” Cole’s voice trails behind me. “Ryder.”
He catches up, his hand wrapping around my wrist. I don’t fight it. I just keep moving.
I hear voices, and Cole thrusts open a door and pulls me inside.
I’m paralyzed and let him.
He flips a switch and closes the door. Light from a single dim bulb fills the space.
I shove my hands into my hair. I need air and not to be so freaking messed up.
“Shit! Fuck! This. . . I. . . I don’t know what’s happening.” My chest moves in and out, but no air enters.
I fist my hands, so I don’t start grabbing cans to see if I can make them explode.
Cole stands perfectly still, keeping distance between us.
I let my head fall into my hands.
“Ryder, breathe. It’s ok.” His voice is achingly tender. “You don’t have to be afraid of anything with me.”
I suck in a breath and push it out. In and out. I want to laugh. I’m not afraid of him, and that’s precisely the problem.
