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“Just be careful to make sure people want you for the right reasons. I mean, you can obviously do whatever with whomever you want, but I just don’t want to see you get hurt again.”

My heart squeezes, catching me right off balance, and I have no idea what to do with that. Without thinking anything through, I react on instinct. Slamming the tailgate shut, I walk the few paces over to her and swipe the swirling auburn hair from her forehead, replacing it with a chaste kiss. “Thank you for looking out for me, Rocket.”

CHAPTER EIGHT

LUNA

I’m spent. My arms ache, my legs ache, even my fingers ache. Plus, I’ve devoured my body weight in pizza for lunch, and I just made us both grilled cheese with a tossed salad. I. Am. Done.

Zach pats his rock-hard stomach through his fitted, black T-shirt. “The nutritionist is gonna be stoked when she finds out what I’ve eaten today. You’re a bad influence.”

I wave a hand in front of me. “Ah, you probably worked it all off anyway. Plus, you run and work out every day. Live a little, Evans.”

Kicking my feet up on the tiny couch, I rest my legs across his lap. He has one arm along the back and a bottle of beer in his hand.

He looks down at my bare feet and purple, manicured toes and raises a brow. “Comfortable there, Rocket?”

“Yep,” I reply, popping the p. “Just missing the foot massage.”

He leans forward, sets his half-empty bottle on the table, and turns his head to look at me properly. “Seriously? You want me to give you a foot rub? I’ve been ripping up the spare bedroom floor all day.” He wiggles his inked fingers in front of me. “You might have pretty toes, but these bad boys are tired.”

“Pretty toes?” I laugh. “Is that some kind of backhanded compliment?”

“They’re genuinely pretty toes.” Taking me completely off guard, he runs a finger along the top of my right foot. “I could probably get both of your feet in one of my shoes.”

I pull my foot away quickly. It’s insanely ticklish. But the shot of electricity his touch evokes travels way further through my body than normal.

A smug grin pulls at his lips. “You’re ticklish aren’t you.”

“No.”

“Don’t lie; no one likes a liar.”

“I’m n?—”

I don’t get time to finish my lie because he’s on me, pinning my legs down with one muscular arm. I’m no match for him, but I give it my best shot to break free from the torture.

“Woah, you’re wild!” he barks out.

“I’m not above using violence!” I scream as I continue to thrash around, my fits of giggles beginning to exhaust me. His calloused palms and fingertips make the sensation even more unbearable.

“Give it your best shot, Rocket.”

He’s laughing now, and despite my crazed state, I notice the gorgeous smile breaking out across his face—one I haven’t seen in so long, its absence clear even from social media posts. He looks light and free and everything I want for the man who deserves it all.

Temporarily distracted by the happiness radiating off him, I stop kicking. When he notices, he stills his hands too, until allwe’re left doing is staring at one another for a moment too long and for the second time today.

It might be the fun we found earlier, even in the most menial tasks like painting. Or it could be this moment right here that makes me believe that pulling my legs off his lap and rising to my knees is absolutely the right idea. As I place my left hand against his chest, he never breaks eye contact with me. And when his eyes fall to my mouth, I take a chance on something I’ve thought about doing since freshman year. I hover over him as he sits on the couch, but he doesn’t say no. His tongue swipes across his bottom lip, and I close the space between us entirely. His lips are soft and full as they move over mine. His breath teases my skin as it sends waves through my body, pooling at my heat.

The way I want him.

The way I’ve always wanted him.

I let out a soft whimper that seems to ignite him as his hands come under my ass, lifting me to straddle his lap. He deepens the kiss, his tongue peeking out to caress mine.

Oh, holy fuck can he kiss.

I want to do nothing but kiss him forever.