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“Zane!” She backhanded his shoulder. “That doesn’t mean we should ram it down their throats.”
He waggled his eyebrows. “I’d like to ram something down your throat.”
She groaned but laughed, too. Zane’s irresistible charm was impossible to ignore. Lucky for her, Lori’s parents treated Zane like the son they’d never had.
He caught her hand and led her into the living room where her parents were fizzing with excitement. Dad spilled champagne as he topped off his glass.
“Well, just look at you two.” Mom canted her head, then shook it. “The king and queen of the prom, without a doubt.”
“You’re as gorgeous as ever, Mrs. J.” Zane bent to kiss her mom on both cheeks. At six foot two, he towered over both Lori and her mom. “You’re a lucky man, Mr. J.” He slipped an arm around Lori’s waist. “But not as lucky as me.”
Lori’s mother almost combusted.
“Okay, enough with the gushy compliments. You’re just trying to hide the fact that you’re late.” Lori nudged him. “Come on. We need to leave.”
Her parents came to see them off. Zane held open the car door, acknowledging her father with a raised hand when he called out, “Drive carefully. That’s precious cargo you’ve got there.”
Lori rolled her eyes at her dad and climbed in. Seconds later, Zane reversed out of the driveway. Lori waved until her parents disappeared from sight, then flopped back into her seat.
“What happened with Snake?”
Zane picked up her hand, kissing the inside of her wrist. “Nothing. I did the time for the crime, and, with reluctance, I admit, he let me go. Anyway, let’s not talk about him. I’d rather concentrate on you. This is our big night. Four weeks left of high school before we have the entire summer to enjoy. And then…” He side-eyed her, a flash of pink tongue dampening his lips—and dampening the space between her legs. “It’s off to NYU. No parents. No Snake. Just freedom.”
Excitement curled in her stomach. Her parents gave her a lot of autonomy. Far more than most of her friends got from theirs. But not having to answer to them at all was a hell of a buzz.
“I know. I’m nervous, too, though. Are you?”
“Nope.”
Yeah, that didn’t surprise her. Zane was one of the lucky ones, blessed with extraordinary confidence. Maybe one of these days, his supreme assuredness would rub off on her.
“The only thing I’m worried about is how many jocks I’m gonna have to warn off for coming on to you. Wonder how many noses I can break before I get thrown out of college?”
She laughed. “I’d guess not that many, so keep that in mind. Anyway, I only have eyes for you.”
Zane stamped on the brakes, and the tires squealed. Lori gripped the handle above the door.
“What the hell are you doing?”
Zane unbuckled his seat belt and shuffled over to her side. “After that announcement, I gotta kiss my girl.”
His lips smashed to hers, his tongue demanding entry that she willingly gave. He’d ruin her lipstick, and she’d arrive at her prom looking like she’d been mauled, but who cared. Her tummy flooded with butterflies, and she fisted the lapels on Zane’s jacket to anchor the riotous feelings taking over.
They broke apart, chests heaving as both fought to regain their composure. Zane tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear, tugging on the lobe.
“You are so beautiful, Lori. I’ll never forget this day, or how you look right this second.” He tapped two fingers to his temple. “It’s imprinted here.” The same two fingers touched his heart. “And you’re imprinted here.”
Oh god.
Breath escaped her in a rush. “Zane.”
He clipped her under the chin, then steered the car back onto the road. “I know, baby. I know.”
CHAPTER 3
The only thing that could’ve made Zane feel more like a king as he led Lori onto the dance floor was if someone planted a fucking crown on his head. She’d stolen the show, drawing admiring glances from the guys and narrowed gazes from the girls. Well, the ones who weren’t her friends, and even one or two of them had turned a bit green when they caught sight of the belle of the ball.
Prom night meant little to him, but it meant everything to Lori. She’d talked about little else for weeks, and he’d make it the best damn night of her life, or die trying. He’d even taken a few dance lessons to ensure he didn’t embarrass her when they took to the dance floor, something his jerk-off buddies had used at least three times a day to accuse him of being pussy-whipped.
