Page 104 of Even Ground

“What do you mean?”

“I was attracted to you from the start.” He leans forward, knitting his fingers together. “And then I loved how honest you were with me. I realised it’s not something that happens much anymore.”

My head spins. I’m still not sure what he means, but I raise my eyebrows again and his lips twitch.

“I never noticed that with fame comes the ass kissers.”

I snicker.

He smiles, the dimples in his cheeks coming into view. This is one gorgeous man, and he’s laying his heart on the line for me.

“I mean, I have people who work for me, and they’re honest with me because I get to know them as friends, but the rest of the world can be a little … I’m not even sure what the word is.”

“Sycophantic?”

He tilts his head. “I’m not sure I’d go that far. But I mean I do treasure people who don’t let my ego get away on me, and that happens sometimes.”

“Only sometimes?” I cock my head.

“And that’s what I’m talking about.” He looks down at the table. “I like it when you do that.”

“You’re a glutton for punishment, just like Josh.”

His gaze meets mine again. “I guess I am.”

My heart pounds, so hard and fast that, for a second, I’m not sure I’m breathing. The taut muscles in his neck, his locked jaw, the way his eyes settle on my lips, everything feels different now.

We joke a lot together, but I’ve never seen him so open as he is now, even if he’s having trouble finding the words.

“So, what now?” I ask.

“It’s up to you. I want to be with you, Pania. More than friends. I don’t know how to do this, so I need your help.”

I rise from my seat and walk around the table. He turns to face me, and I take his hands in mine. “I want more too.”

“Really?”

“When we were in Hawaii, and you kissed me, I wrote it off as a once-off. I thought it might have been because I was there, and maybe you felt obligated to spend time with me because I was Delaney’s friend.”

He shakes his head. “I spent time with you because I liked you.”

I squeeze his hands. “Maybe. I wouldn’t be upset if it started that way. It shows me how good a friend you are to both of them.”

Letting his hands go, I turn and walk to the couch, dropping onto it.

“I was surprised when you first got in touch. Your messages meant a lot to me.” I rest my palms on my thighs. “You make me laugh, and I feel we’ve grown close.”

Reece stands and makes his way over to the couch and sits beside me. “I feel that too.”

I swallow hard. “I guess that’s why you’re here.”

He reaches for me, cupping my cheek and tilting my face toward him. “I’ve done a lot of thinking lately, especially since the whole award thing. I want someone to share all the good times with. I can’t promise there won’t be bad times—I don’t think anyone can predict what the future holds—but I want to share it all with you.”

“Reece,” I whisper.

He leans forward, pressing his lips to mine. I open up to let him in, and his tongue tangles with mine. It’s just as good a kiss as it was back in Hawaii. I sink into him, and tremble as he grips my arms.

Pressing his forehead to mine as the kiss ends, he takes in a deep breath.