“If he’s anything like your brothers, I’m terrified. Though Crew seemed cool.” Perry plucks two glasses of champagne off a passing waiter’s tray and hands one to me. “Drink up.”
I take a sip. Then another, my gaze on Perry as he drains the glass, setting it on a nearby table. “What was Crew talking about anyway?”
Perry rubs the back of his neck, distinctly uncomfortable. “What are you referring to?”
Oh, he knows. “You used to street race?”
He drops his arm to his side. “I did.”
“Wow.” I don’t quite know what to say. “Were you any good at it?”
“One of the best,” he admits.
“Did you love it?”
“There is nothing else like it in the world. The rush I get from my foot on the pedal, going as fast as I can, pushing the limits of the engine, of myself…” His voice drifts and his expression is downright dreamy, as if he’s lost in his memories, all of them good.
“But you don’t do it anymore.”
He shakes his head, his gaze finding mine. “I quit.”
“Why?”
“Got too risky. I almost wrecked. Nearly got arrested once. Now there’s a story.” He grins and I want to hear it. Every single detail.
I part my lips, ready to ask but he keeps talking.
“Eventually I had to get serious and grow up. Go to work every day and quit fucking around.”
Hmm. Someone gave Perry a speech.
I bet it was his mother.
Speaking of…
“I haven’t seen your mother yet.” I glance around the room, looking for her elegant blonde head.
“She’s here. Just making the rounds, like us.” His gaze meets mine. “You seem to be holding up well.”
“So do you.” I sip from my glass yet again.
“I should probably kiss you again. While we’re having an intimate conversation. Just the two of us.” He raises that single brow.
Ugh. It’s kind of sexy, that move.
“Fine. Just get it over with.” I quickly glance around the room one more time with a smile plastered on my face, but it feels forced, so I let it fade. When I return my attention to him, I see that he’s watching me with a stormy expression on his face.
“Get it over with?” He sounds vaguely insulted. “Was it that much of a hardship, being kissed by me earlier?”
“It wasn’t much of a kiss at all, if I’m being truthful.”
“Really.”
“Yes. Really.”
Without warning he hauls me into his arms, until I’m pressed so tight against him you couldn’t slip a piece of paper between us. His fingers curl beneath my chin, tilting my head back so my lips are perfectly aligned with his.
“Here’s a kiss for you, then,” he murmurs.