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He looks wrecked. His eyes are wide, the bluest I’ve ever seen them, and his mouth is slightly swollen from ravaging my neck.

But it’s the way he’s looking at me that really does me in. He’s looking at me like I’m the only thing he can see.

I tilt my face up, weaving my arms around his neck. “Lucas,” I whisper, his name ghosting his lips.

His hands tighten on my hips, his eyes darting to my mouth, then back to my eyes, then down to my mouth again. He’s so close, I think our lips would touch if I said his name again.

My desperation mounts. I want him to kiss me so badly it physically hurts.

His head dips, his lips brushing over mine, and then⁠—

He bites off a curse and steps back.

I stand, frozen, blinking at him in shock and confusion. I suddenly feel very cold and very naked before him.

“Umm…” is all I manage to get out.

“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have let that go that far,” he says, dragging a hand down his face.

Frowning, I wrap my arms around my waist. “Why not?”

He throws his hands out wide. “Because… Because I promised you this wouldn’t happen when you moved in here!”

All the hurt from his sudden rejection fades. That’s actually…sweet.

His voice softens as he lifts a hand to my cheek. “And also, because that would’ve been the second time I pushed a kiss on you in a whirlwind moment.”

Pushed a kiss on me? I could’ve sworn I was panting for it.

He must see my confusion and clarifies, “I just mean, I don’t want anything to escalate if you’re not sure of things. Which you can’t be in a whirlwind moment.”

As much as my racing heart and aching lips don’t want to admit it, it’s probably a good idea to pause. Because conscious thought is already bringing some doubts.

I did make this a condition when I moved in here. There were reasons I didn’t want anything to happen with Lucas. Right now, I can’t remember any of them, but⁠—

He sighs. “I would prefer not to be a 4am mistake, if possible.” His eyes dart to mine and hold. “Not with you.”

I have no idea what that means, but…I appreciate the sentiment.

I nod. “You’re right. This would’ve been a bad idea.”

Lucas’s focus locks on me, all worry gone from his face.

“I didn’t say that,” he rumbles. He takes a step closer, and my skin lights on fire all over again.

I swallow roughly. “Then…what?”

His eyes never leave mine. “I’m just saying, if I kiss you again, it won’t be at 4 a.m. or trapped in an elevator.” Touching his fingers to my chin, he tilts my face up. “It’ll be after you decide to kiss me.”

With the way he’s looking at me, I can’t remember a time when I didn’t want to kiss him.

TWENTY

CHARLI

Lucas avoids me for the next three days.

Well, avoid isn’t the right word. He still leaves me an apartment key the next morning and a cat toy for Milton the day after, but I don’t see him for three whole days.