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“I know enough, California girl.”

I chuckle. “I’m not from California, New York.”

His eyes glimmer as he watches me. “I won’t beg, princess.”

I glare at him and then glance at the screen. “Fine. It’s not like I’ll ever be here or need to use it anyway.”

I roll my eyes but step up to the screen. The scanner blinks red, waiting for me. “This is ridiculous,” I mutter, placing my thumb on the scanner.

“Full name,” he prompts.

I sigh and type it in. “Happy?”

“Ecstatic,” he says, his voice dripping with sarcasm.

The screen flashes green, and Eli straightens, locking the door behind us.

I open my mouth to argue, to tell him this is way too much, but before I get a single word out, his hand shoots out, grabbing the back of my neck.

His mouth crashes into mine, and everything stops. My thoughts, my protests, even my breathing.

His lips are firm, demanding, and I’m clutching his shirt like it’s the only thing keeping me upright.

“Eli—” I manage to gasp, but he silences me with another kiss, deeper this time.

His hands move, one sliding to my waist, the other tugging at the neck of my hoodie. I feel the scrape of his teeth against my collarbone, and my knees buckle.

I’m drowning in him. His scent fills my head. The heat of his body presses against mine, unrelenting.

“Eli,” I whisper, but it comes out shaky, unconvincing.

He pulls back just enough to look at me, his gray eyes burning. “What, baby?”

Baby. That word. The way he says it, low and rough, sends a jolt straight through me.

I shake my head, trying to clear it. “I can’t do this.”

“Why not?” His voice is soft but firm, like he’s daring me to argue.

“Because,” I stammer, “I just got out of a relationship. And you have girl trouble, making you punch library walls, and you’re screwing your real estate agent?”

His mouth quirks up. “Her name’s Janet.”

I glare at him. “Whatever. It’s still—”

“She was a hook-up,” he cuts me off, his tone dismissive.

That stings more than it should. I push against his chest, but he doesn’t budge.

“I don’t do hook-ups,” I snap.

He raises his hands in mock surrender. “You’re a virgin, you told me.”

I cross my arms. “Exactly.”

He smirks. “Pretty sure everyone’s a virgin before sex.”

“That’s not a funny joke.”