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Madison sets the last plate aside, but she doesn't turn around immediately.

“That's what makes this so frustrating.”

“What does?”

She looks at me.

“You.”

I raise an eyebrow.

“Me?”

“I don't even know if I can trust you, Torch. There are things about you I still don't understand, and I keep telling myself I should stay away.”

Her fingers tighten around the edge of the counter.

“But then you get close, and I forget every sensible reason I had for keeping my distance.”

I don't move.

For once, I've got nothing smart to say.

She gives a small, irritated laugh.

“I've spent the whole day trying not to want you. It's not going particularly well.”

Fuck.

There's a difference between a woman flirting with me and one admitting something she'd rather keep to herself.

And Madison looks like she regrets every word.

I step closer, slowly enough to give her room to move away.

“Sweetheart, you have no idea how hard I've been trying to do the same.”

Her eyes lift to mine.

“Then maybe we're both idiots.”

“Starting to look that way.”

She glances at my mouth.

And this time, when I lean toward her, she meets me halfway.

The kiss is nothing like the careful one at the clubhouse.

This time, I know how she tastes.

And I want more.

She presses against me, fingers sliding into my hair.

I pull her closer.

Then she makes a small sound against my mouth, and every decent thought in my head disappears.