Truth or Dare: A Sweet Romantic Comedy Collection by Laura Burton (free ebook reader for ipad txt) 📗

of my thoughts evaporate as Ryder nudges my arm and leans in to whisper in my ear. “Meet me downstairs in ten minutes.”

Ryder

Kissing Katia has made me a new man. I feel renewed energy coursing through my veins, and as I stride out of the room and into the hall, I have the perfect posture.

It’s as if I’ve battled a lion. I've finally crossed over the boundaries between us, and now she’s back in my world. It makes me want to do the impossible. Like fly over the Grand Canyon. No, bigger than that. Fit the moon in my pocket!

Or... Transforming a conference room set up for a Hindu wedding into something appropriate for Mark and Debbie.

I walk in and whistle, looking at the elaborate floral decorations with organza material in bold colors stretched across the ceiling.

The door opens with a bang and I jolt. Katia walks in and scans the room, her eyes wide. “So, this is where the magic is gonna happen, huh?” When she walks up to stand beside me; the heat of her body makes me tense. I become very aware of her hand hanging close to mine. I chew my lip, resisting the urge to grab it. Now that I’m back in her presence, all of my courage has blown out of me, leaving me feeling like a deflated balloon.

“Well, I can’t say it’s Debbie’s style... But it’s better than nothing! I just checked with the front desk and they’ve said no one is going anywhere for the next twenty-four hours,” Katia continues, unaware of my tangled nerves.

I nod as a collection of thoughts flood my brain. I'm wrestling with the idea of talking to her about our kiss. But now it feels selfish. This isn’t about me and Katia. I’m the best man. I should focus on getting everything ready for the big day.

Still, Katia is standing so close. Her lip gloss is shining and her beautiful eyes are luring me in. What I’d give to steal another kiss... But I worry if we start, I’ll never want to stop.

“You’re quiet,” Katia says, shattering my thoughts. She frowns at me, crossing her arms. “You’re not freaked out, are you? About... Earlier.”

I shake my head, swallowing the build-up of saliva in my mouth. I'm suddenly at a loss on what to do with my tongue as two sides of my brain play a game of tug-of-war. Kiss her. Don’t kiss her.

“Don’t do this,” Katia says, shaking her head slowly. “Don’t give me the silent treatment.”

Doesn’t she get it? I’m not giving her the silent treatment, I never have. On the inside, I’m shouting off the rooftops. I’m swinging from tree to tree. I’m swooping her up in my arms and smothering her with kisses. It’s just getting it all out of me that seems to be the challenge.

The hurt in her eyes propels me forward as if she’s pushed me over the edge of a cliff. Before I can process them, words come tumbling out.

“Ineverwannaletyougo,” I say with gusto. But it all comes out in gobbledygook. Katia just stares at me with one brow arched. So, I take a breath and try again. “I don’t want to pretend you’re mine.”

“Oh?” Katia whispers, taking a step closer. I automatically find her hips and grab them as if I'm drawing energy from her body. I lean down, inhaling the scent of her coconut shampoo with a smile as I bury my face into her dark hair. “I love––” I pause the thought and lean back to look into her eyes. I see myself in them. She smiles and I cradle her face in my hands, grazing my thumbs across her bottom lip. “––your family.”

Katia’s shoulders slump a little and it’s hard to miss the slight disappointment on her face. “Oh.”

Then the door opens with another bang and Debbie marches in. Katia and I lurch apart at her arrival and put on fake smiles.

“You won’t believe this,” Debbie says, walking up to us. “I just found Nonna in the casino. It’s almost two in the morning and apparently, she’s been working the slot machines since eleven.”

I smirk at the mental image of Katia and Debbie’s Nonna, a sweet old Italian lady, sitting at the slot machine in a casino.

“So, this is where I’m getting married?” Debbie adds, and the mental image of Nonna dissolves.

“Listen, while we’re alone. I just wanted to say thanks.”

“For what?” Katia asks and she takes the words out of my mouth. This wedding has been a disaster so far. “For going along with this dare. I know it was a big ask. But hopefully, now you’ve both opened up to each other, it’s gonna be easier…”

“We haven’t,” Katia blurts. “I mean, there’s not been a lot of talking.”

I clamp my teeth together and hold my breath as the words land on Debbie, prompting a wry smile. “Right,” she says slowly, giving her sister a nudge.

“Well, anyway. Your little act at dinner has the whole family talking. So far, no one’s giving me an interrogation about where we’re gonna settle down.”

“Happy to be of service,” I say, finding my voice. Katia shoots me a look before turning back to her sister. “You need to go to bed. We don’t want a tired bridezilla in the morning!”

“But this room... I should help take a few things down.”

I clear my throat and square my shoulders, suddenly focused on the task at hand, just as Mark and Jonah walk in. “You girls get to bed. Let us deal with this,” I say.

“Are you sure?” Debbie asks. She and Katia give me identical looks of suspicion. I meet Mark’s stare and he nods at me, resolved.

“Get some sleep. Katia is right. We need our bride to get her beauty sleep.”

Debbie hums as if not convinced, and Mark kisses her as if to seal the deal. Then she makes for the door. “Okay, I guess I’ll see you in the morning then.”

“I’ll be right here, waiting for you,” Mark