Page 52 of Take Care, Taylor

“You might as well be.”

“Let me go.”

“Tell me you really mean that, and I will.”

I should’ve walked. Instead, I held his stare.

He leaned in closer, his chest brushing mine, breath hot against my lips.

“Tell me you don’t want this,” he said, low and certain, his eyes daring me to move.

I opened my mouth to say it, to tell him I didn’t, but nothing came out.

He didn’t wait. His mouth found mine in a rush—hard and possessive—the kind of kiss that stole the air from my lungs and replaced it with his.

His hand slid to my jaw, then down my neck, fingers tightening just enough to make me feel the weight of him everywhere.

My palms hit his chest, meant to push him away, but they stayed there instead, clutching the fabric of his shirt like I couldn’t decide whether to fight him or pull him closer.

The kiss deepened, a hot blur of anger and want, until I caught my breath and shoved him back just enough to break it.

For a second, neither of us moved. His forehead brushed mine, both of us breathing hard, the air between us electric.

“That was out of line,” I managed.

“You started it.”

“Keep telling yourself that.”

I slipped away from him before he could say anything else, heart hammering, lips hot, the taste of cinnamon lingering like a dare.

TRACK 21. HOAX (0:13)

TAYLOR

What the fuck was that?

TRACK 22. SWEET NOTHING (4:29)

AUDREY

The taste of Taylor’s mouth lingered on my lips as my new favorite flavor.

Though I refused to admit it.

I tried thinking of other guys and the way they’d kissed me, but it was useless. Every memory paled in comparison. From now on, there’d be no need to revisit them for a muse in my writing again.

Pulling out my classroom binder, I decided to distract myself by checking on my students one by one.

I started with Emma and called.

“Hey, Miss Parker!” she answered on the first ring. “What’s up?”

“I was just calling to see if you were on track with your big ten-page paper,” I said. “I really want our team to beat Mr. Wolff’s team, so?—”

“Mr. Wolff issooohot.”

“So—” I refused to acknowledge her interruption. “If you want to read me a few paragraphs or run some ideas by me, I’m free to listen now.”