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.But hadn t he heard someone say that rain was good luck for a wedding? What are the odds for bad weather tomorrow? he asked, turning to Kayla. You should know,right?She blinked at him. Um, not really.I m an actuary, not a weatherman. Is there a difference? He wrapped her hand in his, tugging her around the back of the building. Both look at the facts and spew out statistics at the general population, right? Well when you put it that way&  She grinned and looked up at the sky.Her graceful neck archedjust right, and it made him pause.Since when had he been enthralled by a woman s neck, for fuck ssakes? I m waiting. I know.I m thinking. She shot him an annoyed look. I ll put it at a fifty percent chance of rain. See? You even sound like a real weatherman.She rolled her eyes. It s okay.Rain is good luck for a wedding, contrary to popular belief.So it sa good thing. I thought I heard that somewhere. He led her toward the football field in the back. So, tell methe truth.Were you on that field kicking your legs up and shaking your ass for all of the boys?She frowned at the field. Not even close. Really? With that ass, he palmed her backside through the jeans,  and with that body, he trailedhis fingers over her hips.He loved the way they curved so gracefully. I d have put my money on youbeing a cheerleader.Maybe even chief cheerleader. Well, you would have lost. She gave him a small smile. Sadly, I was pretty much the furthestthing from a cheerleader. Hmm. He tapped a finger on his chin. The jock? Puh-lease. The math-a-lete? Closer. She headed toward the field, her gaze on the bleachers. I did like numbers, but that s nota shock, I m sure. All right.I give up.What were you?She sighed. I was in the five percent of the adolescent population that stayed in orchestrathroughout high school.He almost laughed, but didn t.He thought back on their time together.She had a habit of tapping herfingers when she was nervous or irritated.And for some reason, he thought for sure she must play theviolin.He had no idea why.It was just a hunch, so he went with it. Violin? Yep. She smiled, but the smile looked sad. I liked the music.And liked being in the orchestra.My part was always so clearly laid out.I knew exactly where I was seated and when to come in.Itwas comforting to a person like me. I can see that about you.Do you still play? Sometimes. She shrugged. I do it when I m stressed out or thinking.But I miss being in an actualorchestra.It s the one place where I felt like I belonged.You know what I mean?He studied her.He might not have been a nerd in high school, but he d never felt as if he belongedanywhere back then.Had never found his home, so to speak.Being a military brat, he d never settleddown long enough to really find a close group of friends or colleagues.Not until the military, when heforged some strong relationships with the guys around him.So he got what she meant way too well.He liked being needed.Liked helping others.But besides that& what did he have now?Nothing.That s what.He was tempted to make a joke and laugh off the moment.Make light of the fact that she d sharedsomething about herself she probably didn t tell many people.It s what he normally did.It was him.But he couldn t do it.Instead he cupped her cheek and ran his thumb over her lower lip. I do knowwhat you mean about belonging.But honestly? I don t think I ve ever found that security.She blinked up at him. You have your career.Your men. Yeah, but do I belong there? Do I feel at peace? He shrugged, feeling restless. I don t think Icould say that.I ve never lost myself in something or someone so completely that everything else justfaded away.Not until you.He immediately shook the thought from his head.She snorted. I find that hard to believe.You seem to know exactly where you re going and whatyou re doing at every point in time. She headed for the bleachers, her hand still holding his. I knowyou like helping people, and I know you have a life plan that you stick to and that s half of what youneed to get where you want to be in life.You know what you want, and you go get it.That sawesome. What s the other half? Sheer, stubborn determination to win. She eyed him, a smile playing on her lips. I think you vegot that down, too.He laughed. You think? Oh yeah. She opened the gate and walked into the stands.He couldn t believe it wasn t locked,but maybe they didn t worry about that in North Carolina. You ve definitely got the stubborn partdown to an art form.I mean, look at the way you took over and demanded to be my fake boyfriend? Ifthat isn t sheer determination, then I don t know what is. Nah.I just wanted to get in your pants. Well, you succeeded. She grinned up at him. That s something I ve always been pretty confident in, he joked, tightening his fingers on hers. My ability to woo a woman. Yeah, I can see why. Though, I never went to the extremes with anyone else that I went to with you. He roamed hisgaze over her.She wore a grey wool jacket, a pair of jeans, and a white knit hat.Her cheeks wereflushed from the cold, and she looked so damn pretty it hurt.She chuckled.He expected her to say something sentimental or sweet, but she turned away, hercheeks going even redder. You didn t tell me who you were in high school yet.He blinked at the change of subject. Uh& why don t you guess? Guess? She strolled toward the area where the team sits when they re not on the field. I have aninety-four percent chance of getting it right, based on what I know about you.He raised a brow. Sounds as if you like those odds. I do. Enough to bet on it? Hmmm&  She paused, as if she was worried she might be wrong. What are we talking here?Money? Sexual favors?He scanned the surrounding area.There were no cameras, and they were definitely the only oneshere. If you re wrong, you have to do any sexual favor I ask for.She laughed. That s all? Yep. He gestured toward the field. Right here.Right now.She sucked in a deep breath, then blew it out.He could almost make out her breath in the cold air. Seriously? What s the matter? He spun her until her back rested against the chain link fence, then grabbedboth her hands.He lifted them so they pressed against the metal on either side of her head. Are youtoo scared your calculations are off? God, no. She bit down on her lip, her gaze on his mouth. Fine, but I pick the favor.He groaned. Deal.Go ahead and guess already. He nibbled on the side of her neck. Take all thefacts you know about me and tell me what I was like in high school.When he lowered his head and nipped the spot where her shoulder and neck met, she groaned andarched her back. You re very take charge, and you came from a military family, so you probablymoved around a lot [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]