Page 198 of End Game

His fingers tighten in my hair.

I feel the pull all the way down my spine.

My mouth opens further under his, and Ronan makes a quiet sound that I don’t think I’ve ever heard from him before.

It hits me like a punch.

I forget the television.

Forget the fireworks.

Forget that Griffin and Cami are three feet away.

There is only Ronan’s mouth, the hand at my neck, and the solid heat of him under my palms.

He tastes faintly like whiskey and champagne.

His beard catches against my skin.

Every tiny physical fact burns itself into me with brutal clarity.

I have wanted this for so long that having it hurts.

Not badly. Just enough to expose how much wanting I’ve been carrying.

When Ronan finally pulls back, I follow him before I can stop myself.

Not far.

His forehead settles against mine.

Both of us are breathing harder than a kiss should justify.

I laugh once—it comes out wrecked. “Fuck.”

Ronan’s thumb moves slowly on my throat.

I close my eyes. “I’ve waited for that.”

He smiles as his forehead stays against mine. “I know.”

When I open my eyes again and pull back, he’s looking at me with something unguarded enough that it makes my chest ache.

Behind him, Cami makes the smallest sound.

Not a laugh.

Not quite.

Ronan and I both remember the rest of the room at the same time.

Griffin still has one arm around Cami.

She is looking between us with both hands pressed over her mouth.

Her eyes are suspiciously bright.

“Oh my God,” she whispers.