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“I’m out of your league, Mr. I-look-even-hotter-a-little-beat-up?”
“See, now I think you’re really off your rocker.” He runs his free hand through his hair. “That back there… I never wanted you to see that side of me.”
I tilt my head. “Why not?”
“Are you kidding me? My family hates me. I went absolutely berserk for no reason?—”
“No reason? That guy’s the poster boy for he-had-it-freaking-coming. If not from you, then from me. The girls had to hold me back a moment before you smacked him down.” I screech out a weird laugh. “That jerk who turns out to be your nephew refers to you as a period pad. Then he attempted to mock your sexuality, and even said you almost killed your mother. A few blows are the least he deserves.”
“Crap, you heard all that?” He pulls his hand from mine, his big body shrinking as if he wants to disappear. The expression on his face is absolutely stricken.
That’s when I realize this boy is so hurt. The urge to hug him and kiss him and hold him tight almost overwhelms me. Somehow, I manage to keep it in check, but I still lean forward to him. I balance myself on my knees, one hand braced on the steering wheel, and the other one against his headrest. We’re so close that our noses brush.
Max blinks fast. “Uh…”
“Yeah, I heard all that.” I bring the hand that had been grabbing the headrest forward toward his face in a touch like his earlier one. “Your nephew is toxically jealous of you. And I also heard not a single person wish you a happy birthday. You don’t deserve any of that, Max.”
He chokes on his own saliva and clamps his jaw tight. My eyes travel the sharp length of it. I caress it slowly, at first wanting to comfort him. But then his eyes shift, as if this touch is even more important than the sadness plaguing him. How will it feel against my lips? Hard like the shell of perfection he wears around himself, I bet.
A little lightbulb comes on in my mind. “Oh, I finally found the perfect nickname for you.”
“What?” The poor guy sounds confused by the topic change.
“You’re a S’more. Singular.” My finger brushes softly over his top lip, enough to put him on edge but not to hurt. “Slightly hard on the outside, but once you get through that little shell, you’re all gooey on the inside.”
“Hardy har har.”
The sardonic quality of his voice makes my heart sing. He’s so good at driving me up the wall with his teasing. It makes me appreciate the ability to return the feeling that much more. I want to tease him more. But right now, I don’t want to tease him with words.
I swoop down and place a small kiss on his left cheek.
“Tinker Bell?—”
“Shush, S’more. Let me give you your birthday gift.”
He looks confused. But then I kiss his other cheek with as much care as the first. It’s very important that I press my lips against his skin just so. Tender, so he knows someone cares about him. A little bit hot, so he knows how I feel about him.
Max keeps blinking up at me as I repeat the process on his forehead. “Uh, Luz…”
I pull back slightly. “It’s too bad your lip’s busted. I was looking forward to kissing you tonight.”
A strange choking sound comes from his throat. I know exactly what’s going through his mind, and I’m basking in the fact that I put the thought there.
Max holds my shoulders to push me away, but I resist.
“Let me kiss you, Max.”
“Uh—This isn’t a vampire movie. I don’t want you to get smeared with blood.”
“Not there.” I touch the tip of his nose, smiling down at him. “Here.”
“Did you just boop me?”
I can see the sparks in his eyes thanks to the lights streaming in from the street and from the passing cars. Good, that’s what I wanted. He deserves a little fun on a day that should’ve been special.
“Also here.” I run the tip of my finger across his delectable jaw. “And here.” My finger travels lower, along the length of his thick neck, then around to the base of his throat.
His Adam’s apple bobs as he swallows hard. I touch that too.
