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“All good?” he asked.
“I think so. We dated the same guy.”
His chin lowered. “The toxic ex?”
“That one. I warned her off him a couple years ago, and she was just thanking me.”
“Good. I wish someone had done that for you, but I’m glad you did it for her. She seems like a ni—”
I held my finger up. “I don’t want to know what she seems like to you.”
His eyebrows drew together. “What’s this? Are you thinking things you shouldn’t be thinking?” His hand shot out, grabbing my nape to pull me to him. Trapped between his legs, my chest was flush with his. One thick finger dragged down my nose, then he leaned in and kissed the tip.
I met his gaze and gave it to him straight. “You know how most people are sixty percent water? I’m sixty percent jealousy. It’s what fuels me. It’s irrational and vexing as hell, but my mind is bright green and glowy.”
He blinked once. Twice. “You were jealous when you saw me talking to her?”
“Yes. And if you say something nice about her right now, I might give in to the irrational urges in my head.”
His mouth twitched. One of his hands slid down my back, cupping my butt. “I’m going to revel in this just once. You getting worked up over me talking to another girl does something to my primordial brain.”
My eyes narrowed. “Don’t toy with me, Lachlan. That toxic ex? He used to flirt, fondle, fuck other girls to make me jealous because he knew I’d try harder to keep him—that I’d do all manner of crazy things to make him want me. It was ugly, not sexy or cute.”
He squeezed my ass and followed with a light swat. “Look at me, El. I like knowing you care. That does it for me, but that doesn’t mean I’m going to be anything less than straight with you. I won’t play games or make you feel crazy—not on purpose. I’m with you now. As long as I’m with you, I won’t flirt, fondle, or fuck anyone else. That’s not who I am. You don’t know that yet, but you will.”
“That’s a big promise for someone who doesn’t do commitment.”
His head jerked back. “I don’t think I ever said that. If I did, I meant I’m not looking to get into something deep with anyone, not when I’ll have to walk away. I’m not interested in fucking around.” He yanked me deeper into his body. “I’d like to fuck you, though. A lot, in every way we can think of. I think you want that too. As long as both of us keep wanting that, then you have nothing to worry about with me. Do I have anything to worry about with you?”
“Are you asking me to sneak around with you and only you?”
He huffed a laugh. “Does this look like sneaking? Did me kissing you in front of our friends look like sneaking?”
“No, it didn’t.”
“I’m asking you to have fun and keep it light with me and only me.” He palmed the back of my head, tipping it back. Soft brown eyes searched mine. “Do you want that?”
I did want that. The connection I felt to my body when I was with Lachlan and the connection pulsing betweenuswas powerfully alluring. If he took it all away again without warning, I’d be pissed. Trusting him to do right by me would be a big step. I didn’t trust easily, especially not men.
“When it’s over, give me a warning, okay?”
His smile was gentle. “That, I can do. I think we’ll both know when it’s time to walk, but I won’t assume we’re on the same wavelength this time. I’ll talk to you.”
A sardonic laugh slipped out of me. “I’ve never talked about the end at the beginning.”
“Neither have I, but now that we are, it makes sense. I’m always up front, and I am who I am. Nothing’s going to change that or what I want.” He captured my gaze. “You get me on that? No surprises.”
Twinge.
“No surprises,” I agreed. “Can the talking part be over now?”
“Soon. You never answered if I have to worry about you. Are you with me and only me?”
I nodded slowly. “I don’t like most men, Lachlan. Unless Tom Holland comes strolling up to me and offers me a ride on his spiderwebs, you don’t have to worry about me. Even then, I might take the ride, but notthe ride.”
He cracked an amused grin. “How is Tom Holland your type but you’re all over me? Elsa, we are not the same.”
Reaching up, I brushed his hair down across his forehead. God, he was cute and fuck hot. This man just did it for me. “I don’t know. I need to see you in spandex, then I can make an educated decision.”
