“Just hand it over,” I reply, wiggling my fingers impatiently.
She hesitates but eventually huffs and fishes her phone out of her pocket. “Fine. But if this is some weird?—”
“It’s not,” I cut in, taking her phone. My fingers brush hers as I grab it, and the brief contact sends a jolt straight up my arm.
She hands it to me locked but doesn’t give me the password. Without having to think, I punch it in. Her password is our birthday.
I toss her a small smirk and she shakes her head but remains quiet.That’s right Ellie girl, I still know you better than anyone.Quickly, I add my number to her contacts and hand the phone back.
“There. Now you have my number. Call me if you need anything. Seriously, Ellie. Anything.”
She stares at the screen for a moment, then glances back up at me, her expression unreadable. “You put yourself in asDeputy Alvarez?”
I shrug, flashing her a knowing smile. “Figured you’d like that better. Maybe actually, I don’t know, reach out some time.”
“As a hardened criminal, I don’t make it a habit to reach out to law enforcement.”
I laugh, stepping back toward the door. “You’re hardly a criminal. Besides, I’m sure the asshole who arrested you deeply regrets it and wishes there was something he could do to make it up to you.”
Her plump lips roll, concealing a smile. “I’m sure I’ll think of something.”
Fuck, now I really don’t want to leave. I’m pathetic for this side of her. It’s like an addiction.
My phone buzzes again, reminding me of pressing matters.
“Don’t overwork yourself while I’m gone. Promise me.”
“No promises,” she shoots back, but there’s a hint of softness in her tone.
As I walk out, I glance back and catch her staring at her phone, wearing a faint smile, a small blush creeping across her cheeks. I hope it’s because of me and not just from a day spent cleaning.
CHAPTER 26
Dominic
HAPPY BIRTHDAY
18 YEARS OLD
“What’s all this?” Ellie’s smiling brightly, blushing the prettiest shade of pink, as she takes it all in.
Strings of fairy lights are looped between trees, surrounding a picnic blanket. I skipped last period to race over here and get it set up. I’ll probably get hit with detention for it, but the look on her face is more than worth it.
“Do you like it?” Normally, I ask for Scottie’s opinion before surprising Ellie, but she’s been out of town at an acting workshop.
Ellie comes up to me and wraps her arms around my neck, crashing her lips to mine.
After I met with Jack, he eased up on the rules and has allowed us to hang out alone again. We’ve been so busy with our senior projects though, this is our first time truly alone since we got in trouble. And, fuck, did I miss her.
I slip my tongue in, coaxing it to hers, and she moans into my mouth, opening up even more for me. My hands travelover her body, kneading her hips, grabbing handfuls of her breasts, before pinching her nipples through the thin fabric of the black cotton dress she’s wearing.
I want her so badly, but if I don’t stop now, we’ll get too carried away.
With all the strength I can summon, I pull back, breaking our kiss.
Her lipstick is a little smeared, lips beautifully swollen. I love the way she looks after I’ve messied her up. And once she opens her birthday present, I plan to make her even messier.
My forehead rests against hers, our breaths tangling with each other.
