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Our lips mold together, and I feel her sink against me. Hope springs in my chest, and I finally fully relax until, with brute force, she launches herself at me. Her teeth nip at my bottom lip; her tongue invades my mouth as she tastes me. In an attempt to regain control, I press the flat of my palm against her back, pulling her flush against my chest, but she hitches her leg instead, grinding her perfect pussy against my thigh. Her little whimpers escape her mouth to caress my hardening cock.

“Ah, hem.” An irritated tone cuts between us as a wolf whistle from another lane rings through the air.

We break apart. Oh yes, we’re in Satan’s armpit, the Bowlarama. How could I forget?

“This is afamily-friendlyestablishment. Get yourselves under control or get out,” a curly-haired twenty-something-year-old manager hisses as our entire party flushes with embarrassment.

“Do you guys need to leave?” Nicole giggles.

“Nicole, don’t be improper,” her brother snips as Josh rolls his eyes. I’m unsure if it’s aimed at us or them. And if it’s them, if it’s Nicole or Mike.

“No, no, no, we’re all good,” Olivia says.

“I bet your panties say otherwise, Killer,” I whisper so only she can hear.

She flushes beautifully but pretends not to hear.

“My turn!” she announces, bouncing toward the lane. She picks up a bright pink ball and lines herself up against the lane. With a straight arm, she throws the ball hard, slightly off center, and every single pin comes crashing down.

What the hell? My girl is full of surprises.

The girls all woop loudly as the boys slow-clap their appreciation, jaws slightly slack.

“Yes, girl!” Nicole sings loudly before high-fiving Olivia.

She gives me a shimmy before perching next to me, and I stand to take my turn.

After a disastrously poor game on my part, Oliviarelents, and she pulls me by the hand away from the group.

“Bowling was really the only activity I could afford to take Danny to do after Mom and Dad died. This kept us both out of trouble. For a while at least.” She laughs.

I love that she trusts me enough to still give me tidbits about her growing up.

“Until he met me, you mean.”

“Well . . . yes, but I’ve changed my mind about all of that.”

“All of that being the reasons you kidnapped me and held me hostage in your basement.” I twirl her hair between my fingers.

“Hostage really does suggest there was a ransom request, which we both know there wasn’t.” She’s right, annoyingly.

I grin down at her, cupping her cheek. Her citrusy shampoo perfectly engulfs her. I want to lean down and take a bite.

She hesitates for a second before lifting her hand up to my face and stroking my beard. It’s so familiar I still can’t believe I’m not dreaming.

“You kept the beard . . . it looks good.”

I run my hand over the stubble. “You like it?”

“Yeah, it suits you, makes you look a little softer.”

I nod, smiling, and then we’re silent until I can’t take anymore. I have to tell her everything. I know Alfie told me to take it easy and give her a chance to catch up, but I can’t.

“I’m sorry for Danny. For breaking my promise...fuck, I’m sorry I let you go. And I’m sorry it took me so long to get my head out of my ass to make it back to you.”

“I know. I forgive you.” She strokes my face.

“You do?”