Page 28 of SnowBound

Let me kiss you, for God’s sake. I give up. I can’t take it anymore. Whatever the endgame is, you win.

She shook her head. “Not yet.”

Damn it. I was dying to capture her mouth with mine. To feel her lips on mine. My hands tingled to touch her. To mold her body against mine. My heart pounded at the idea of being this close to her.

This night was turning out like nothing I expected. I forced my angst down when Abby jumped to her feet and pushed my chair forward. She halted in her tracks and bent down to whisper in my ears.

“Oh Aaandy, I got your new challenge.”

My voice sounded rough on its way out. “What is it?”

Her eyes shone like diamonds when I pivoted my head to look at her. “Surprise. You’ll like it.”

“No surprise. Tell me. Please.” I’d beg if I had to. To get my mind focused on the game and shut down the rush of hormones invading my body. Or to prepare myself if it was about to ruin me even more than she already had.

She waggled her finger and moved on to pick up my guitar from the café, then wheeled me toward the waiting area by gate seven. The same area where we would have waited to catch our respective flights.

She untwisted the scrunchie and stepped away before I could hold her hostage. And make her mine.

“What now?” I asked, my breath almost a gasp.

Abby clicked her tongue. “Gimme a minute.” She walked to the counter and talked to one of the two attendants from the airline company. They exchanged smiles and nods. I frowned at this sight. There was way too much excitement flashing in her eyes. And a devilish glint in them when our gazes met.

She grabbed the mike and started speaking to the other stranded passengers.

“Ladies and gentlemen, this is your Santa representative talking to you. My good friend Andy right here”—she gestured to me—“will give a musical concert to all y’all. It will be our Christmas gift to you tonight. To uplift your spirits.”

We?I mouthed.

She shrugged and continued. “Please join us at gate seven. It will start shortly. Thank you and Merry Christmas.”

Adrenaline raced in my blood at Abby’s impromptu concert announcement. It happened every time I was minutes away from walking onstage. I basked in this feeling. Music was my element, my passion, my calling. I was ready for whatever Abby threw my way. I rubbed my hands together. Flutters woke up inside me. Yes, I loved this dare.

The girl sauntered toward me, and I mirrored her smile. “Did it cross your mind to ask first?” I inquired, pulling the instrument from its case, ready to feel the chords vibrating under my fingers.

“Nope. We’ll see how well you perform on short notice. After all, you made me dance without prior notice.”

“Oh girl, you’d be surprised how well I adapt to any situation. Any setting. I’m always ready to go. I don’t need foreplays. Bring it to me, and I’ll deliver. Rock your world. And believe me when I say you’ll beg for a repeat performance.” I spoke the last few sentences with an edge to my voice, and a light flush colored her cheeks.

Fire burned between us. The hair on my arms stood on end. Abby licked her lips. Why was she always doing that? Couldn’t she tell by now it fucked with me? On so many levels. Was she feeling the same pull I was feeling? She cleared her throat, and my eyes followed the ripple in her neck, the pulse throbbing between her collar bones. She looked away, and I could breathe.

“Can I ditch the chair?”

She shook her head in a slow motion. “Nah. Unless you forfeit.”

“Not doing it then.” A new idea formed in my head. “Congrats, Abby, you’ve just earned yourself a job. You’re my back vocalist. Or we can sing duets if you prefer.”

The thought of us singing together sent a zing of happiness to my heart. I loved that my girl was going to be up there with me. My girl? When did I start referring to a stranger as my girl? I was sick. Or perhaps it was all a dream. Or an alternate reality. Did I have an accident on my way to the airport and bump my head? This could explain so many of my actions and thoughts tonight.

Or perhaps I was asleep and having the best dream and didn’t want to wake up from it.

She clapped her hands and grinned, stopping the influx of questions swirling in my head. This all seemed so real. The entire night couldn’t be some hallucination. No. Because I wanted it to be real. I loved how the girl I would never see again after tonight saved me from my funk and spiced up my existence, even if it was for just a few hours.

“You sure? I’ve always wanted to do this.”

I blinked. “You sing?”

She scrunched up her face. “Yes. No. I’m not that good, but I like singing. Does it count? Nobody ever complained I had burst their eardrums.”