Page 105 of The Retaliation You Deliver

“I like both sides of you. They’re both equally as terrifying,” she confesses as she swallows her nerves and pulls the lid of the box off.

“Lee,” she breathes, her voice cracking with emotion as she pulls the chain from its cushion, studying the two charms that hang from it.

“I thought that maybe we could add to it. Make some memories together.”

She stares at it for long seconds, her expression unreadable as my heart beats so fast waiting for her reaction I start to get a little lightheaded.

Her finger runs over the book charm and then the football, sucking her bottom lip into her mouth as she thinks.

“D-do you like it?” I ask, unable to cope with the silence any longer.

“I-I… I love it,” she cries, closing her fingers around the piece of jewelry and jumping into my arms.

I grunt as we collide and I wrap my arms around her, holding her tight.

“Thank you. I love it,” she whispers in my ear. “Will you take me home now?”

Home.

Fuck. That word sounds so good falling from her lips.

“Hell yes I can.”

With her still in my arms, I reach out for her bag and carry them over to the car.

“There’s something else too,” I confess, reaching into what I left on the passenger seat.

Pulling the fabric from the bag, I turn back to her and hold it up for her to see.

“Looks like it’s official.”

Before she has a chance to argue, I tug the jersey over her head forcing it over the top of her hoodie. She helps me out by pushing her arms into the holes.

“Turn around.” She does as she’s told and I push her up against the car, making her gasp as I stare at my name and number on her.

Threading my fingers into her hair, I twist, forcing her to look back at me.

“I’m going to fuck you wearing that,” I warn her.

“Wouldn’t want it any other way, Dunn.” She winks and I slam my lips down on hers for a searing kiss. “Not in the parking lot though, hey?” she asks with a laugh when I eventually release her.

“Okay, maybe not this time. But I would.”

“Oh, don’t I know it.” She grinds her ass back into my crotch, making me groan.

Standing back a little, I allow her to turn back around.

“Put this on for me?” She holds her wrist out and then passes me the bracelet.

“I take back what I said earlier. I’m going to fuck you with my number on your back and our future around your wrist.”

I snap the clasp into place and damn near push her into the car, my desperation getting the better of me.

The short journey back to the house is tense as I white knuckle the wheel and keep my eyes firmly looking out the windshield.

I know that if I so much as look over at her, then all bets are going to be off and I’m going to end up pulling over and making her ride me right here in my goddamn car.

“Relax,” she says, her voice soft as her tiny palm lands on my thigh.