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CONNOR

I haven’t slept. Not a second. Not even a goddamn minute.

And it’s all her fault. Allie Payne and her perfect mouth. Her perfect curvy body that makes me insane. Her perfect fucking everything.

I close my eyes, grip my coffee, and try—really try—not to think about the way she dragged me into that bathroom last night and kissed me like she needed it more than air.

But it’s all I can fucking think about. The way her hands fisted my shirt. The way her lips tasted like champagne and recklessness. The way she whimpered when I deepened the kiss.

Fuck!

I exhale sharply through my nose, shifting in the world’s most uncomfortable airport chair. I’m not okay. Not even close.

Even worse, Allie’s acting like it never happened.

My brows furrow, and my head pounds as I stare at her.

Allie is chatting with Harper and laughing like she doesn’t have a care in the world. Sipping her coffee like she’s not a menace to my fucking existence.

Fucking me up left, right, and sideways while I sit across from her, gripping my coffee like I want to throw it through a window.

Every time I tell myself to stop looking at her, my eyes snap right back. Like she’s got a fucking magnet lodged in my brain.

She hasn’t looked at me once . Not even a goddamn glance.

She’s pretending like she didn’t ruin my life when she kissed me at the reception. Like she didn’t drag me into a bathroom, shove me against a door, and kiss me like she was seconds from begging me to fuck her.

My fingers tighten around the cup, knuckles turning white.

She knows what she’s doing. She’s ignoring me on purpose.

And it’s working. I’m losing my goddamn mind.

Harper says something, and Allie laughs, tossing her hair over her shoulder. It’s like watching someone dance on my grave.

I narrow my eyes.

That’s when her tongue flicks out to wet her lips.

My brain short-circuits.

I drag a hand down my face, gripping the back of my neck. I need to get out of here. Now.

If I don’t, I’m going to grab her, slam her against the nearest wall, and remind her exactly what the fuck she started last night.

* * *

I’m behind Gram in the long line. Irritation courses through me like a damn buzz saw. I used to be Mr. Happy-Go-Lucky until Allie ruined my life.

I’m jerked back to the present by the chaos in front of me.

"Ma’am, what’s in the flask?" A TSA agent asks.

Gram doesn’t blink. "The good stuff."

The TSA agent looks exhausted already. "I’m going to need you to be more specific."

She sighs. "Fine. Tequila. And maybe a splash of holy water."

I pinch the bridge of my nose. "For fuck’s sake."

The TSA agent freezes. "Why… holy water?"

Gram shrugs. "You ever met my grandson? Kidnapped his wife and everything. Just a little precaution."

Ford Brooks glares at her.

Harper Brooks cackles.

Jake Monroe and Cole Kingston are fucking wheezing.

Allie smirks like this is all a big joke.

My jaw clenches while my eyes narrow on her. Allie’s enjoying this. My suffering is her life’s mission.

Meanwhile, TSA is now bringing in backup.

This can’t be happening.

* * *

I’ve never been so goddamn irritated in my life! Things can’t possibly get any wors?—

"Final boarding call for Flight 257 to Las Vegas, departing from Gate B12."

My entire body locks up.

Allie looks over at me over the rim of her cup, still sipping her damn coffee. Calm, cool, and collected.

I whip around, grabbing her wrist. "That’s our fucking flight."

"Final call for Flight 257.”

She looks at me, completely unbothered. "Yeah." She takes an irritatingly slow sip. "And?" She gestures at the TSA agents who are examining our stuff like we all have bombs stowed in our bags.

I stare at her like she just kicked a puppy. "And?! We need to fucking move!"

I grab our bags, already trying to push past TSA, dragging her along.

The TSA agent is not happy. "Sir, we’re not finished here."

“Oh, we’re finished.” I drag Allie behind me, keeping my fingers locked around her wrist like handcuffs.

“God, you’re dramatic.”

I snap my head toward her, eyes practically glowing with rage. “We’re about to miss our goddamn flight, Payne.”

She just shrugs. “Better get your cardio in then, Byrns.”

I nearly black out from rage.

And then I hear the sound of my doom. My entire fucking world ending.

"Flight 257 to Las Vegas has now departed. Thank you for flying with us."

I still, silence enveloping me.

Complete. Fucking. Silence.

I blow out a breath, daring a glance at Allie. She’s still grinning, completely unbothered that we just missed our goddamn flight.

I’m seconds from launching myself from the closest window.

My hands drag down my face. "This is a nightmare," I mutter.

Allie’s voice reminds me of fucking robins chirping. "Look at the bright side!"

My eye twitches. "Oh yeah?" My voice is low and dangerous. "What bright side, exactly?"

She leans in, voice dripping with pure menace. "It’s just you and me now, Byrns."

The vein in my forehead throbs.

I’m not going to survive whatever lies ahead.