Page 191 of Just Wait

At least, that’s my guess based on the tall, slender frame and the fact that’s the mask he wore during the Halloween week performances.

His hair falls around the mask, and those sweatpants of his barely hang on to his slender hips. He has to be thirty feet away, but I swear I can feel his excitement.

Luckily, my survival instincts kick in. I’ve been following the pathway at a brisk walk, but I get myself into gear, bolting through the opening.

I have three choices this time.

Straight ahead.

Left.

Right.

Right feels like it would lead deeper into the maze, but I’m also fairly sure that’s the route Mal will expect me to take.

Continuing straight ahead is easiest, mostly because it feels like making less of a decision, but then I realize, if I don’t hit another turn, Mal will be able to spot me.

I stumble on the uneven ground, barely managing to right myself before I face-plant.

Jesus.

I really have to be more careful, or I’m going to break an ankle.

Or my face.

I throw myself forward in kind of a running crouch and take the next turn.

A purple glow catches my attention, making my head swivel.

Riser casually lingers next to the hedge wall as I try to run past. He grabs me by a handful of my hair, pulling me upright and yanking me into his chest.

I squeal, but I’m so shocked that I don’t even fight him.

He tugs up his mask, rests it on the top of his head, and chuckles. “I’m not going to lie, I kinda hate these things, but I bet the aesthetic is cool.”

“It really is, but they don’t seem as bright as the ones you wore on stage.” I also much prefer being able to see his handsome face.

“They’re the version they made for us to wear in the interviews and after-parties.” He brushes his nose against mine, massaging my skull with his fingertips. “We straight-up told them to come up with something new before next Halloween because we won’t be wearing these again.”

“I like your normal masks better, anyway.” My chest rises and falls in rapid pants as I struggle to catch my breath.

“You’re going to have to be quieter as you move if you don’t want to give away your location,” he whispers, teasing his pillow-soft lips over mine.

His chamomile scent makes my entire body tremble, or maybe that’s extra adrenaline. Either way, my hands dig into his back as I drag my teeth over his lower lip.

He’s in a long-sleeve T-shirt, and it’s just as soft as always. He really does have an affinity for soft fabrics.

I end up lost to the meeting of our mouths, and he breaks the kiss.

“Go on, beautiful.” He nods down the corridor. “I don’t think any of us want this to be over this fast.”

“Right,” I agree, falling against him once more as I stretch up to give him a final kiss.

Goddammit.

Riser is a fantastic kisser, and I ache to climb him. I force myself to pull back, but it’s the last thing I want to do.

My skin sizzles, and my chest hums with a weird anticipation. It’s scary and exciting to imagine what it’ll feel like to be trapped between the three of them.