Page 55 of The Enemy Plot
“Is that another fetish of yours, men with gray hair?”
I laugh out loud, throwing my head back. “Maybe. One I didn’t know I had.”
“So really, what you’re saying is that I’m the perfect man for you. Is that right?”
When did Deacon become such a flirt? Not that I’m complaining. I love this new version of him. Even if I know the grump is just around the corner.
“I think that’s what I’m saying,” I admit, and my gaze drops to his lips. “Why are you sitting so far away?”
In a swift movement, he sits next to me, and we’re both laughing. “Just had to say the word,” he says, tucking my hair behind my ear. Then, he leans forward.
“Wait.” I place a hand on his chest and notice how fast his heart is beating. Probably as fast as mine. Maybetheyshould have a race to see who wins. “You didn’t show me yours.”
“I don’t have it, remember?” he mumbles, his voice softer now. “I couldn’t find anyone remotely as pretty as you.”
Okay, I'm swooning big time. Now, I’m sure of it—Deacon Collier is Real Life Boyfriend material.
He caresses my cheek, and I melt into his kiss. I love the way his lips trap mine. His kisses aren’t fast or sloppy. More skillful, experienced. Like he knows exactly what will make my pulse spike or my skin prickle. My fingers tangle in his hair, echoing my desire to feel him closer, but a clinking glass at a distance reminds me of where we are. Deacon probably heard it too, because he pulls away, fire still smoldering in his eyes.
Good thing he has some self-control, ‘cause right now, I don’t have an ounce of it.
“Um.” He clears his throat. “Maybe I’ll go back to my seat.”
“Wise idea.” I take a sip of my water, suddenly wishing it was ice cold.
“I have to save some of my moves for when I say goodbye,” he says, winking as he grabs his glass.
Yeah, Deacon Collier is the ultimate Real Life Boyfriend. And as weird as it may sound, I’m now dying for this date to end so we can say goodbye. Properly.
22
All Booked Up
Alice
When I wake up the next day, the butterflies are still happily fluttering in my belly, but I order them to land. As amazing as last night was—that goodbye kiss will be etched into my brain for eternity—I’ve already learned the hard way that, come morning, Deacon has a tendency to change his mind.
I walk to the kitchen where Emma and Hayley are already eating breakfast. They both stop what they’re doing when they see me.
“How was last night?” Hayley asks, setting her half-eaten slice of toast down.
I pause, trying to collect myself. I want to be measured and all that, but my huge smile betrays me. “He took me on my dream date. Literally.”
Hayley gasps, and Emma’s eyes widen.
“You mean—” Emma starts, but I don’t let her finish.
“He took me to a bookstore!” I blurt, and it’s way too loud for such early hours of the day.
More gasps and bulging eyes. “No way!”
“We did a scavenger hunt—I won, of course—and then we went out for dinner, where we talked about the books we chose. It was honestly the perfect date.”
“Wow.” Hayley nods, grabbing her mug. “I would have never thought that was his kind of date.”
Emma coughs. “Says the girl who got a hockey player into reading romance just for her.”
I let out a laugh. “My hockey playerbrother,might I add. Which is even crazier, since I’ve known him my whole life, and heneverexpressed interest in reading.”