Monique held her breath, anticipating the moment Mitch would finally stop fighting his attraction and kiss her.
His gaze hadn’t left her mouth. He leaned in smelling of beer and her famous crab dip.
She didn’t care.
She’d been waiting her whole damn life for him to want her like she wanted him. For him to take the initiative, as she had that summer in college.
Mitch’s frigid fingers gripped the back of her neck. His lips inched closer to hers.
Suddenly, they were startled by Ray’s distinct voice leading the party guests in the New Year’s countdown.
Mitch’s eyes widened, as if he’d come to his senses and lost his nerve. Clearing his throat, he stepped away, raised his glass and counted along.
She joined in, too.
Damn you, Raymond James. Protective older brothers are seriously overrated.
Monique loved her brother. Their mother had died shortly after giving birth to her, leaving their single, working dad to do the best he could. So Ray—four years her senior—had practically raised her.
She was grateful for her brother, but she was all grown up now. She didn’t need him scaring off potential boyfriends. Especially the one man she truly wanted.
Monique blinked back tears. A combination of the cold winds whipping off the Atlantic Ocean and her battered pride.
How much rejection can a girl take?
“Three, two, one.” A wide smile lit Mitch’s handsome face as he clinked his glass with hers. “Happy New Year, Monique.”
She wished him the same and they drained their champagne glasses.
“Better get back inside before you freeze to death.”
Monique set her glass on the railing. Her lungs filled with frigid air as she inhaled deeply and wet her lips.
It’s now or never.
Lifting onto her toes, she looped her arms around Mitch’s neck and pulled his mouth to hers.
His body tensed. He leaned away. “This is a bad idea, Mo.”
“I don’t care.” She dragged him closer and whispered against his lips. “We’re adults, and we both want this. What Ray thinks shouldn’t matter.”
He pressed his forehead to hers. “He’s your only brother and my oldest friend. I know we think this is what we want, but it could get messy and complicated.”
“God, I hope so.” She kissed the corner of his mouth.
“I’m serious, Mo.” Despite his chiding tone, his strong arms slipped around her waist. “We’d be taking one hell of a risk.”
“Then don’t think about tomorrow. Think about tonight, about right now.” She studied his dark eyes gleaming in the moonlight. “Don’t you want to kiss me?”
He sighed heavily. “You know I do.”
“Then forget about everyone else,” she whispered. Her heart raced as she pressed her hands to his chest. “Kiss me.”