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I feel an ache in my gut as his hand loosens from my hip.

My eyes hold his, and I wait for him to release our gaze. Wait for him to do as he said and walk away.

Because Lord knows I can’t.

He moves an inch, and I think he’s about to step away. I brace myself, expecting him to leave, when, suddenly, his eyes flash back to mine, determined, and his hand grips my hip once again and pulls me in with a fierceness that takes my breath away.

“Fuck it,” he says before crashing his mouth to mine.

I feel his tongue testing the seam of my lips, and they part on instinct as his tongue touches mine.

This kiss is hard, our tongues tangling, and his hand is firm on the back of my head, holding me in place. My fingers dig into his biceps, and I pull him closer to me so I can feel his chest brush against my breasts.

The pain in my arm is all but forgotten as I get lost in his kiss. The feel of his mouth on mine is like coming home. He tastes like beer with a hint of mint. I’m addicted to him, addicted to this kiss. I’m so lost in him that I barely register people moving down the stairs next to us.

His left hand moves to my ass, and he squeezes and pulls me into him even more. There’s a throb growing between my legs, and I feel like I could combust just from this kiss and his touch.

I start to move my injured arm so I can wrap it around his waist. I’m desperate to feel more of him. But when I begin to uncurl my arm, I wince, pulling us out of our haze.

Beck leans his forehead against mine, breathing heavily. I close my eyes and try to gain some control of myself—and I also try not to get teary from the pain in my arm.

When I open my eyes, Beck pulls his head away from mine, looking into my eyes.

“You okay, Boss?” He moves the hand from the back of my head and brushes his thumb lightly across my lower lip.

I can’t say anything yet, my words caught in my throat. So, I nod. I know what happened, but for real …what just happened?

“I didn’t know banging an elbow could hurt this much.”

“You’d be surprised how easy it is to injure an elbow. Let’s get you home,” he says, pressing his lips to my forehead and holding them there for a few seconds.

We take the last few steps to the top. When we open the door, we see Casey, Liam, and Schuster in the kitchen, taking shots. Casey sees us out of the corner of his eye and does a double take.

For a moment, I think my face must look like I’ve just been thoroughly kissed—swollen lips, flushed cheeks—but then Casey’s attention goes to me holding my arm.

“What happened, Char? You okay?” he asks.

“I’m fine. I just bumped my elbow on the beer-pong table. Hit it in just the right spot. You know, the one that hurts like a motherfucker? I just need to put some ice on it. I’ll be fine, but I am going to head home. I came, conquered, and once again claimed my Beer Pong Champion title. My day is complete.” I try to keep my tone light, but I’m feeling a little lightheaded from the kiss.

Beck reaches for my hand, twines our fingers together, and tugs me closer, like holding my hand is a normal thing. “I got her, man. Going to head home and crash anyway. I’m beat from today.”

Casey looks down at our hands, smirks, and nods. “Thanks, brother. I’ll be here for a while longer. I’ll head back with Pitz unless he leaves with someone.”

“Yeah, and you won’t be seeing Arch again tonight for sure. I think I saw him head upstairs with a girl before I went to the basement to find Charlie,” Beck says to Casey casually.

I look down at our joined hands and start to pull my fingers from his, but he lightly squeezes, holding me in place. His thumb moves once over the top of my hand, and I stop trying to pull away. With one last nod to Casey, we head out of the house together and walk home.

CHAPTERTHIRTEEN

BECKHAM

The whole way home,I keep her hand in mine. I don’t think I’ll ever let her go. I broke the seal, and now I want more of her. I’ve been patient with her, leaving her notes, special-ordering peonies, and buying more of those pink champagne macarons she likes. Trying to break down her walls and get her to trust me again. But there’s no fucking way she’s sleeping on that cot tonight. She’ll be sleeping in my bed. With me. I don’t even care if anything happens. I just want her with me, against me.

That kiss on the stairs … I couldn’t stop it. Her lips were just begging to be kissed. The little bow in her top lip, her puffy bottom lip—all mine. She tastes the same to me, like the strawberry lip gloss she’s worn since sixth grade.

“Beck, slow down. My legs aren’t as long as yours.” She’s teasing me—I can hear it in her voice.

“Sorry, I forget you fall behind. Just like when we raced as kids,” I say, then look at her and wink.