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Sam snorted, running a hand through her messy hair. “Not even a little.”

Jess chuckled, leaning back against the cushions. “Yeah,” she drawled, looking away. “Me either.”

Sam raised an eyebrow. “Why not?”

Jess hesitated, her fingers tapping lightly against the side of the water bottle. “My dad wants me to have dinner with him and his girlfriend.”

“Oh,” Sam said, nodding slowly. “How do you feel about it?”

“Yeah,” Jess sighed, looking down at her hands. “It feels weird, I guess. I want him to be happy, but the idea of it, sitting there with them, it just..” she trailed off with a tight shrug. “I don’t know.”

Sam frowned, watching her. “It’s okay to not be ready.”

Jess’ lips formed a tight line as she nodded slowly. “I feel stupid. It’s been so long since my mom passed away. I should beready for this. But—I’m not.” She huffed a breath, shaking her head. “Especially not to sit there in our house and try to come up with things to say or ask.”

Sam reached over without thinking, her hand resting on Jess’s knee. “I can go with you, if you want.”

Jess looked up, her face instantly brightening. “Really?”

“Of course,” Sam said, squeezing her knee gently. “If that would help, I’ll be there.”

Jess’ expression softened, a small, grateful smile tugging at her lips. Then her eyes flicked down, her expression changing.

Slowly, carefully, Jess leaned forward, trailing a hand up Sam’s neck to turn her, instantly meeting her lips. And all at once, that deep need she’d felt since the last time finally felt some small relief.

Sam leaned into her, deepening the kiss like her very existence depended on it. Like she needed to taste every inch of her to satisfy the infinite craving. And for the first time, she wondered if maybe that’s what it felt like to have an addiction. To want—need—something so deeply that nothing could satisfy the hunger.

Jess groaned softly as her hands tangled up in the hair at the back of her neck. She leaned in, swinging one leg over her lap and pressing the full front of her body against her.

Then she broke the kiss as she whispered, “Take me to your bed.”

Sam smirked, instantly wrapping her arms around Jess’ body and shooting up from the couch.

Jess giggled as she tucked her head into the crook of her neck, wrapping both arms securely around her shoulders.“Well, that was easy.”

Sam grinned, easily trudging the distance down the hall with Jess’ body tangled around her. “I haven’t stopped thinking about—” her brain caught on the wordyou, and quickly substitutedit. “This—since the engagement party. I’m not waiting another minute.”

Sam stepped up to the edge of the bed, gently laying Jess down and settling in on top of her.

She kissed her again, even deeper than before. Maybe she should’ve been treating it more casual—the way she would any other hookup. But she couldn’t. She didn’t want quick—she wantedeverything. She wanted to taste and feel every detail.

Jess’ body shifted, angling to the side as she felt her pushing upward. And Sam let her roll their bodies to the side until Jess was on top of her once more, legs hooked around her hips.

Sam sat up, reaching for her once again, unable to comprehend anything beyond the deep yearning for her lips. But Jess pulled back, the edge of her mouth turning up in a teasing smile before grabbing both of her wrists and pinning them down against the bed.

Jess watched her for a moment, as if daring her to try again.

But Sam couldn’t do anything. She was in complete awe, staring into her beautiful gaze.

Jess slowly released her wrists, trailing her hands to the hem of her shirt instead. Sam instantly lifted her arms over her head as Jess slid her shirt up and off her body, leaving her completely bare.

Jess’ eyes flicked down, taking in the sight for just a moment. But the teasing edge they’d held just seconds before had vanished, replaced with desire.

Jess’ throat bobbed as she swallowed, finally tearing her eyes away as they zeroed in lower.

Her hand slid down her chest, nails grazing lightly down her bare skin, and Sam shuddered at the contact.

They stopped at the waistband of her gray sweatpants, then she hooked both hands inside, and Sam lifted her hips as she gently pulled them down, leaving her in just her black boxers.