Kiss Me Katie! & Hug Me Holly! by Jill Shalvis Page A

that again,” he murmured. “And I’ll be happy to delay this little fun until I kiss us brainless.”
    â€œThis is crazy.”
    â€œNo. This is fun. Simple, easy, good fun. You’ve not let yourself have enough of it.” He got them off the ground gently, took them into the right altitude gently, did everything as gently as he could, and nearly laughed out loud in triumph at the sheer pleasure on her face. “Breathe,” he instructed with a smile. “Or you’ll pass out.”
    â€œOh!” She laughed a little nervously and drew in her first deep breath. “Yeah, that helps.” After a moment she said quietly, “You’re much more complicated than I thought.”
    â€œBecause I can remember to breathe without instructions?”
    â€œNo, because…” She turned and looked out the window again, exhilaration and a sort of terrified joy shimmering from her every movement. “It’s incredible up here, amazing. I had—” she turned back to him, her eyes full of so many things, incredible things, she took his breath “—I had no idea,” she whispered. “You know, how it would be.”
    â€œIt’s good, isn’t it?” he whispered back. “Being so high, soaring through the clouds, riding on the wings of air so crisp you can feel it humming through your veins with every breath.”
    â€œYes. Exactly, yes.” She swallowed hard and sent him a shaky smile. “I guess it’s not such ofa stretch to admit I was afraid to give in to this, because then I would have to admit I can understand some of my father’s compulsion to do this. He was a stunt pilot.”
    â€œI know,” he said gently. “And I’m sorry. But flying doesn’t just have to be about wild stunts.”
    â€œNo, I can see that now.” She tilted her head and studied him. “I think maybe I can see you more clearly now, too.”
    At that, their gazes met and held, and Bryan sent her a slow smile that she returned. It warmed him from the inside out.
    And terrified him at the same time.
    â€œI’m sorry it took me so long to admit I knew it was you, Bryan,” she said.
    â€œMe, what?”
    â€œBeneath the mistletoe.”
    At least they were high above the tree line, or he might have crashed. “I’m sorry.” He shook his head to clear it. “Could you say that again?”
    â€œI know it was you I kissed.” She sent him another shaky grin. “I’ve known since…probably that night. About time I admit it to you out loud, huh?”
    â€œYou wanted it to be Mr. Perfect, I understand that.”
    â€œI’m sorry I let you think that, too.” She grimaced. “I let myself think it, when the truth is, I really didn’t want him at all, I just thought I did. I’m sorry, Bryan, so sorry I made you feel as though you had to change your entire lifestyle in order for us to—”
    She went silent while he lay on a bed of pin nails, waiting, waiting, not breathing…still waiting. “In order for us to what?” he asked very softly.
    She swiveled in her seat and looked deeply into his eyes. “It doesn’t matter. You’re not the settling-down type and I accept that. Just as I accept this irrational attraction.”
    â€œIrrational?”
    She nodded. “Absolutely.”
    â€œHow so?”
    â€œLook, Bryan, let’s be honest at least.”
    â€œAlways.”
    â€œI loved my father with all my heart. So did my mother, but nothing we could do or say was ever enough to make him happy. He had to get out there, up there, had to push the envelope all the time. Had to risk his neck without a thought as to how we’d feel. Always. And then…”
    â€œHe died,” Bryan finished gently. “He left you angry and hurt and afraid of letting yourself enjoy life.”
    â€œYes. I understand you, Bryan, I understand,