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I resist the urge to throw up on his feet when he grips his dick through his jeans. “Sorry, I’m allergic to cheesy pickup lines.”

He blinks at me, clearly not getting it. “What?”

“Never mind. If you’ll excuse me…”

I try to push past him, but he grabs my arm tight enough to leave a bruise. “Hey, where you going? The party’s just getting started!”

Panic settles deep in my bones as I try to pull away, but he’s too strong. I’m prepared to knee him in the balls when a large hand clamps down on the guy’s shoulder.

“Is there a problem here?”

Wait. I know that voice.

I look up, and relief floods through me. Gerard looms over us with a murderous expression.

The guy blanches when he sees who it is, and he releases my arm as if it’s suddenly radioactive. “No, no problem, bro. We were just talking.”

Gerard’s eyes narrow. “Really? Because it looked to me like you were harassing a harmless bee here.”

The guy holds up his hands in surrender and backs away. “Hey, my bad. I didn’t know he was with you.”

I laugh as the guy scampers off like a cockroach exposed to light until I realize I’m left with Gerard. He’s dressed as a murdered football player, and the costume is tight enough that it highlights every dip and curve of his godlike body. If possible, it makes him sexier than usual.

Having Gerard next to me every night has been a lesson in self-control. His body heat has kept me warm, and waking up each morning with his scent surrounding me has stirred up emotions I’ve never experienced—safety, comfort, and desire.

I know this is more than a crush now. So much more. I crave him. I want to explore every inch of his sculpted physique with my hands and mouth. I want his weight pressing me into the mattress as our bodies move together in a sensual dance older thantime. I want to fall asleep in his embrace and wake up to his beautiful face every day for the rest of my life.

I’m falling for him.Hard.And it terrifies me.

“Elliot? You okay?” Gerard’s deep voice snaps me out of my thoughts.

“Yeah, I’m fine. Thanks for the rescue.”

He smiles, revealing his adorable dimples. “Anytime. You make a cute bumblebee, by the way.”

My blush deepens. “Thanks. You make a sexy dead football player.”

His eyes darken as he steps closer and crowds into my personal space. “Oh yeah? Does this zombie jock get your honey flowing?”

A surprised laugh bursts out of me. “That was terrible.”

“But it made you laugh.” He reaches out to lightly stroke my arm where that creep grabbed me. “I’m sorry that guy was bothering you. I should have gotten here sooner.”

I shake my head. “It’s not your fault. I’m glad you showed up when you did.”

“Me too.” His hand trails down to mine, but he pulls it away before our fingers interlock.

“So, what brings you here?” I ask, desperate to fill the silence between us.

Gerard cocks his head and furrows his brow. “I live here. You know that.”

“I meant here with me. Why are you here with me?”

Gerard’s eyes widen. “Oh! I wanted to tell you something about Drew and?—”

“Elliot! There you are!” Jackson appears out of nowhere, looking worse for wear. His Julius Caesar laurel wreath is askew, and his face is flushed. He grabs my arm, pulling me away from Gerard. “I need to talk to you. It’s important.”

“Hey!” Gerard cries out. “I wanted to be the one to tell Elliot!”