Matt’s hand flew to her chin, tipping her face up. “If I ever hear of you calling yourself that again, I’m going to find you wherever you are and make you sorry.”
Being this close to him, hearing the steel in his voice, tied her in knots. If given the opportunity, she might never get used to it. “Is that a promise?”
“That’s a promise.” Matt narrowed his eyes. “Anyway, you might be half a shitload of trouble, but definitely not a full one. Unless there is a trapeze involved.”
“Think so?” She grinned. “I’m about to shoot that opinion to hell.”
A whistle blew in the distance, telling her the event would begin in thirty seconds. She needed to warn Matt. He was already distracted, looking around them with a puzzled look on his face. Lucy turned to find that a huge crowd had gathered, all smiling in anticipation. “What is this, anyway? Your itinerary just said ‘FM, Union Square.’”
Lucy bit her lip. “FM stands for flash mob.”
“Jesus.”
No sooner had the word left his mouth than a giant water balloon hit him square in the shoulder. Mouth open in shock, he looked at the wet spot on his uniform shirt, then down at Lucy. She couldn’t help the laugh that bubbled in her throat. She clapped both hands over her mouth to keep it contained. “Oh, God. I think your uniform makes you a target.”
The throngs of people behind her erupted in a series of battle cries as water balloons began flying, exploding on people and the pavement around them. Unsuspecting tourists scattered in every direction, some braver ones stopping to take pictures on their cell phone. She’d been right, though. Several participants were pointing at them, probably dying to get a shot at a member of law enforcement. She turned back to find Matt shaking his head.
“You better get out of here, Officer.”
A water balloon narrowly missed his head. “Screw that. Where’s your ammo?”
Lucy’s eyebrows shot up, but she indicated the tote bag full of water balloons.
Matt reached down and grabbed the bag, taking her hand in the other. With a squeak of surprise, Lucy tripped behind him as he jogged to the nearest bench and pulled her down behind it. After yesterday, the last thing she’d expected to see was a playful side. Yet another facet of him, as if there weren’t enough already. He set the bag between them, reached in and handed her a water balloon. “Let’s see what you got, Mason.”
A smile stretched across her face. “One point for every hipster you hit. Two for tourists.”
His mouth twitched. “Done.”
She peeked over the bench and hurled a pink balloon at a girl in horn-rimmed glasses. The unexpected impact of Lucy’s balloon knocked them askew on her face.
“Nice one.”
“One point for me.” She tossed him a yellow balloon. “Your turn.”
“Give me another one.” With a shrug, she did as he asked. He pushed his sunglasses back on his head and Lucy suddenly wished she could drag her fingers through his thick black hair. In one fluid movement, he went up on his knees, throwing both balloons at once. Two running tourists were treated to an exploding water balloon attack.
“Impressive.” Unable to wipe the grin off her face, she rooted through the bag. “It’s like you’re a professional sniper or something.”
Matt’s hand flexed, as if talking about his profession put the feel of a rifle in his hand. “Are you implying I have an unfair advantage?”
“I’m not implying. I’m accusing.” She pulled out three balloons and threw him a wink. “Which means I have to step up my game.”
His hot gaze raked over her. “You think you can compete with me?”
It was a wonder the balloons didn’t turn to steam in her palms. “I never back down from a challenge, especially when the competition is meaningless and there are no prizes for winning. Watch and learn, Donovan.”
He gestured arrogantly toward the quad area where the fight raged on. “I’m waiting.”
Lucy peeked through the wooden slats in the bench, spotting a group of tourists wearing I Love NY T-shirts. They were a good distance away and had managed to remain dry thus far. It was a risk, but she’d talked a big game. No guts no glory. She pushed to her feet and threw all three balloons in quick succession, nailing each one of the tourists one after the other. Before they could spot her, she ducked back down behind the bench to find Matt staring at her with raised eyebrows.
“You are so turned on by me right now,” she said, sounding a little breathless.
“Fucking right I am.”
She had to kiss him. Had zero choice in the matter. His mouth, his pleasure-giving mouth, was gorgeous and so close. His body drew hers closer as if she’d become magnetized. She wanted his big, demanding hands on her ass. She wanted to feel his rough-edged muscles under her fingertips, flexing for her.
His teeth grazed his lower lip. “Come here then, baby.”
Before she could reach him, a water balloon pegged him in the arm. He looked so disgusted over it, she had to laugh again. She planted her hands on his shoulders and tried her best to appear serious. “Oh God, Matt, you’ve been hit. Do not go toward the light. Stay with m—”
His mouth stamped over hers. As if he had complete and utter control over her body, she moaned, head tipping back to absorb every stroke of his tongue. She gloried in his uneven groans; they told her how much her submitting affected him. Told her there was a balance. That she shouldn’t be afraid of her willingness to hand him the reins. It was a choice.
Matt felt it, too. Her total relinquishment of control. She could tell from his expression when he pulled back, scrutinizing her face. “You don’t know what it means, Lucy.”
“Tell me. Show me.”
Lucy held her breath. She didn’t know why his response was so important, only that it might make or break this thing between them. Once again, it became so obvious to her that there was so much about him she had yet to learn. She wanted to know everything. Anything less would seem like she was being cheated.
Expression regretful, he pushed her hair back, watching as her curls fell around her face. “Look at you. You live in the sun. I can’t do it.”
“Yes you can. You’re here in the sun with me right now.” The words came out in a rush. She barely knew what she was saying, only that she was losing him. The Matt who’d thrown water balloons was receding, to be replaced with the stoic, closed-off man he showed everyone else. “You just have to stay here with me.”
“I wish it were that simple.” He drew his hand back and Lucy bit back a denial. When the radio crackled on his shoulder, she slumped back. “I have to go.”
Maybe adrenaline was still pumping through her veins from the water balloon flight or maybe their kiss had been a tease to her senses. It was even possible she didn’t want him walking away without taking the best goddamn memory she could give him. Whatever the reason, she found herself lunging for Matt and kissing him for everything she was worth. Her fingers sank into his hair to keep him steady as she swept her tongue into his mouth. His growl of shock vibrated against her lips; his stubble scraped her chin.
He made a noise of capitulation and tried to deepen the kiss, but Lucy pulled away.