The Bride Test (The Kiss Quotient, #2)

by Helen Hoang

Not to mention the loud music. He couldn’t function with those earsplitting decibels. Another reason why Quan was the better man. “If you want to stay, I know Quan will be glad to take you home.” “You want me ... and him ... to dance?” Her eyebrows drew together. “Is that right?” “If you want to.” And it was true. If that was what she wanted, he wanted her to have it, even if it made his chest feel like it was getting trampled on. Several moments passed before she said, “I understand.” Then she smiled, but tears trickled down her face. She swiped them away, took a deep breath, and smiled wider before turning around. He’d made her cry. “ Esme ...” She ignored him and walked back to the stairs. She was going to find Quan. She was going to be perfectly happy. Without him. Something inside of him snapped, and the rational part of his mind blinked off. A foreign part of him took control. His skin went fever hot. Blood roared in his ears. He was aware of his feet taking him across the room, saw his hand wrapping around her arm, pulling so she faced him. Those tears. They shattered him. He brushed the saline away with his thumbs. “I’m okay,” she whispered. “Don’t worry. I—” He took her mouth, pressing his lips to hers as the feel of her shocked through his system. Soft. Silk. Sweet. Esme. When he realized she’d gone stiff, he started to pull back in horror. What had he been think— She softened against him, kissing him back, and that was it. His thoughts burned away. Something els...