Total pages in book: 93
Estimated words: 87940 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 440(@200wpm)___ 352(@250wpm)___ 293(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 87940 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 440(@200wpm)___ 352(@250wpm)___ 293(@300wpm)
Her eyes move around the room briefly before coming back to me, her expression amused. “Now how do you know that’s mistletoe?”
I take a step closer. “My older brother told me about it. Said it was guaranteed to get a girl to kiss you.”
She laughs, tipping her head back, and fuck me… those dimples. When she looks at me again, I extend my hand and she takes it. “Bain.”
“Kiera,” she replies and neither of us pulls away, and she asks, “So I’m just supposed to kiss a complete stranger.”
“We’re not strangers,” I reply, looking pointedly at our palms still pressed together. Her grip is strong, but her skin is soft. Her nails are unpainted and short but well-manicured. “You’re Kiera, I’m Bain. And now we know each other.”
With an almost reluctant sigh, she tugs her hand from mine. “While the idea has merit, I’m not sure it would go over well.”
“Are you here with someone?” I ask.
“You mean, am I here with another man?”
I just stare at her, because that’s exactly what I’m asking. I need to know whether to move on. She shakes her head with a wry laugh. “No way. Happily single.”
“You say that like it’s a creed or something,” I observe with a knowing smirk.
“Oh, it is.”
“Commitment averse?” I guess.
She nods quickly. “No one depending on me.”
“Totally get that. Able to come and go as you please.”
“Taking what I want, when I want it.”
I grin. “We’re like two peas in a pod. Relationships give me the wiggins. But speaking of taking what you want, when you want it… if you want that kiss, I’m more than happy to find a private area.”
Kiera appraises me for a long, silent moment. Then she surprises me by taking my glass from my hand, lifting it to her lips and sipping. She holds the liquid in her mouth, savoring the taste before swallowing. She licks her lower lip and hums with appreciation.
Christ, that’s sexy as fuck.
Handing it back to me, she says, “I’m going to have to decline.”
I never actually expected her to run off with a stranger for a kiss, but I’m curious about her reasoning. “I promise I’m safe.”
“Yeah… I can actually tell you’re a big ol’ teddy bear.” She’s not wrong about that. Despite being a defenseman and participating in my share of brawls, I’m quite the pacifist. Kiera gives me a sly smile, lowering her voice as she leans into me. “But in this instance, I can tell that if you and I engaged in a kiss, it would never be enough. We’d surely find ourselves naked and sweaty in some closet in Brienne’s house.”
Shouldn’t have chosen that moment to take a sip of my bourbon because I almost choke on it. As it is, I’m able to keep my surprise to a gasping cough. She stares back at me, blue eyes sparkling with humor, but I can tell… she’s not joking.
“At the risk of sounding too forward—but somehow thinking I’m safe in saying it—I’m more than willing to leave this party right now if you want to go somewhere and have a drink. Get to know each other.”
“And have sex?” she asks, one eyebrow arching high, but I can hear the teasing in her tone.
“Mind-blowing sex,” I correct her. “But whatever you want to call it.”
She laughs again, taking my glass from me. Her fingers caress mine as she pulls it free and takes another delicate sip before turning it back over. “It’s a shame I have another commitment or I’d take you up on that offer.”
Okay, shocked once again and where I thought I was on equal footing with this woman, I’m clearly not. “Are you serious or joking?”
“Serious as a heart attack.” She inclines her head, her expression genuinely regretful. “It was nice to meet you.”
I’m the guy who’s always the quick-witted flirt, but she’s reduced me to muteness. It’s only when she starts to walk away that I jolt out of it. I take her wrist. “Wait.” She smiles at me with raised eyebrows. “Let me have your number.”
“Want to sext?”
My jaw drops but I recover, offering a sly grin. “I’m really good at it. But I was thinking we’d start with dinner.”
“Kiera,” someone calls out, and we both glance to the foyer to see Brienne standing there with Drake’s kids. Brienne waves her over.
“Sorry,” she says, tugging her wrist free. “Duty calls.”
“Duty?” I ask with confusion.
“Got to get my nephews to bed. I promised Brienne I’d help since she’s the hostess of this party.”
Nephews?
Fuck… this is Drake’s sister.
“Thanks for the banter,” she says. “A shame we’re not able to scratch each other’s itch.”
And once again shocked silent, I can only watch her walk away. When she reaches Brienne and the boys, the ladies exchange words and then Kiera ushers the boys upstairs. I’m assuming to put them to bed.