Cat tilts her head quizzically. “I’ve never actually seenDie Hard. I had no idea it took place around Christmas.” She turns to Evan and wiggles her eyebrows at him. “Let’s watch it!”
Evan glares at me across the living room, and I toss him a sweet smile. “You’re welcome, by the way, for introducing your girlfriend to a cinematic masterpiece.”
He just snorts before finding the movie on a streaming service. He’s unfazed, having been subjected to this film too many times to count over the years. I, on the other hand, am positively delighted to introduce a new person to my favorite movie, so I settle into the couch, leaning into the corner to angle myself toward the TV screen for a better view.
Ronin picks up my legs and drapes them across his lap without looking my way, and my skin warms under my leggings where his hands rest on my shins. My cheeks flood with heat. I take a sip from my beer to distract myself, hoping he hasn’t noticed my flaming face. There is no way I will be able to focus on the movie if he keeps his hands there all night. Not even John McClane can distract me from that—sorry Bruce Willis.
Thankfully—or regretfully, depending on one’s outlook—Ronin doesn’t keep his hands there for long. One arm settles on the armrest of the loveseat while he holds his beer in his other hand. I’m not sure what’s making my heart race more: my legs on his lap and the way my mind wanders to what else is in that general area and the things I could do there, or the amazing view I have from this close as he sips from his beer. I can’t tear my eyes away from his mouth, the way his full lips wrap around the rimof the bottle. I flush, realizing I’m staring, so I turn back to the movie, determined to focus. Bruce Willis is making fists with his toes in the carpet on screen, and I attempt to lose myself in the story as I try to ignore the warmth seeping into my skin from Ronin’s close proximity.
It doesn’t work. Every time Ronin shifts in his seat, or readjusts my legs draped over his lap, my heart stutters. My body is so attuned to his, I can feel every small movement, every light brush of his fingers over my leggings, every subtle shift on the couch that brings him closer to me. I’m on fire, each nerve ending alight, buzzing with tension.
He turns to me at one point in the movie, one that he knows is a favorite part of mine. Leaning in close, he whispers along with Harry Ellis, “Hans, bubby, I’m your white knight.”
I laugh quietly, and Ronin turns toward me, a smile gracing those full lips. His face is so dangerously close, if I wanted to, I could lean forward…
He studies me, and my gaze dips down to his mouth. His breath catches and breaks the silence between us, the flutter of his exhale infused with the faint, bitter aroma of beer.
Shouts from the television register dimly in my addled mind, the sounds of a scuffle filtering in. I glance back up to meet his stare. His pupils are dilated in the dim lighting of my living room, and the longing in his eyes has my heart racing. I’m frozen in time, unable to look away.
My stomach twists, desire and arousal flooding my senses until all I can focus on is the aching sensation in my core. I can’t seem to control my body’s reaction to him.
This is…something.
“You’re missing the best part,” I whisper, finally breaking his gaze and nudging his arm. He sits back in the loveseat, giving me some air and a chance to regain some composure. I take a deep breath as he turns back to the movie, but I don’t miss the small, tiny glances he throws my way for the rest of the night, and the pulsing feeling in my center doesn’t seem to fade away for a long time.
Chapter Sixteen
RONIN
Tip #3: Love their family like your own.
As soon as the movie ends, Mellie retracts her legs, curling into the corner of the love seat. My lap suddenly feels cold without her warmth.
“So Cat, what did you think of your first experience with the greatest Christmas film of all time?” Mellie inquires, a glint in her amber eyes.
“It was good!” Cat replies, turning to face us. “Not exactly what I was expecting, but I liked it. Bruce Willis was kind of hot back in the day.”
“Right? Severely underrated,” Mellie agrees, nodding her head vigorously.
Evan gives me a slight eye roll. “Need a refill, Ronin?” He tilts his head toward the kitchen, so I nod.
Leaving the women to discuss the merits of young Bruce Willis, Evan and I head through the dining room and into the kitchen. Evan reaches into the refrigerator to grab two beers and hands one to me. He leans against the counter and twists the cap off of his bottle.
“I gotta tell you something, man.” His expression is more serious than his usual playful demeanor, immediately catching my attention. Evan and I have grown much closer over these last few years, to the point where I consider him one of my closest friends.
“What’s up, Ev?” I sit down on one of the stools situated around their kitchen island.
Evan takes a deep breath, eyes darting to the kitchen entrance and back to mine, then says quietly, “I’m going to propose to Cat.” He seems surprised after he says it, like he can’t believe he’s voicing it out loud.
“Dude, that’s great!” I congratulate him. “I’m so happy for you. When do you think you’ll ask her?”
“New Year’s Eve. I know, it’s kind of cliche, but I don’t care. I think she’d love it.” Evan twists his beer bottle in his hands.
“She’s going to say yes, Evan. It’s obvious to anyone around you two how much you love each other,” I reassure him. “This is amazing news. Does Mellie know yet?”
Evan shakes his head. “I haven’t had a chance to tell her. I was really nervous about her meeting Cat, but I think they’re getting along pretty good, right?”
I nod, taking a sip of my beer before answering. “Mellie said she really likes her.”
