Page 96 of Not On Your Life

Her eyes carry an unforgiving glare, but I’m not scared of her. Not anymore.

“For locking you in the closet. The first time, not this time, and for being a jerk in the past. But please, give me another chance.”

She looks down. Her body goes limp against mine, and I can feel the fight leaving her. “It’s already yours.”

“Well, that was easy.”

Her head slowly rises, and I’m met with the most beautiful brown eyes. “I would have preferred to not be locked in a closet, but I was already planning on finding you tonight after the dance.”

My heart soars. “Why?” I need to hear her say it.

“Because…” She bites her bottom lip. “I’m falling for you.”

I grin like an idiot and move in for that lip. Well, both of them, but she pushes me back. It’s no less sexy than it was last time.

“I’m not finished.” She says.

She better hurry this thing up because I can’t hold myself back much longer.

She plays with the edge of my tie. “I’m terrified to forfeit control of my life, and make mistakes. That’s why I’m so dedicated to my health. But some mistakes are worth making.”

My eyebrows furrow. “For the record, can you please tell the jury why you refer to me as a mistake?”

She searches my face. Whatever she’s looking for, it’s hers. “Because some mistakes are blessings in disguise.”

That’s it. I’m going in.“I still like fighting with you,” she says before I get too excited.

I slip my arms around her waist. Her dress is every bit as soft as I imagined it would be. “As I mentioned before…” I kiss her neck. “It’s one of my favorite activities to engage in with you.”

Her pulse jumps beneath my lips, and I kiss my way up to her jaw.

“Don’t you want to talk about—”

“I’d really rather not talk at all.”

And then I lean in to kiss her beautiful, witty mouth. But she retreats.

“I’m sorry, too.”

I crack open my eyes. She’s killing me here. “For what?”

“For fighting you every step of the way. You were right; you annoyed me.”

I quirk a brow. “This feels like less of an apology and more like a jab.”

She rolls her eyes. “I’m getting to the good part.”

I skim my fingers along her exposed back. “Well, don’t let me stop you. Tell me how much I annoy you, darling.”

Her eyes flame with a bit of that fire I love so much, and a bit of that excitement that I love even more.

“You’re terribly annoying.”

I nod as I move in.

“The worst.”

I pump my eyebrows and inch even closer.