Page 71 of The Dixon Rule

“Gone, thank fuck. Lynsey’s Briar tour started at nine.”

“Are they coming back here later?”

“No.” Once again, his tone is awash with relief. “She’s going straight back to Connecticut after her interviews.”

I study his chiseled profile, unable to curtail the memory of how it felt to run my fingers along that defined jaw. How soft the little hairs at his nape were beneath my fingertips before I curled my hand around his neck to kiss him deeper.

I quickly wrench my gaze away. Oh my God. Despite my mouth’s traitorous behavior as of late, I’m not into him. He annoys me.

Oblivious to my inner turmoil, Shane starts scrolling on his phone. Completely ignoring me.

I huff out a breath. “Are we seriously not going to talk about it?”

He chuckles.

Across the deck, Veronika has sat up a little straighter and set her book down. She’s openly watching us now. I hope she can’t lip read.

“We made out, Dixon. No biggie.” He sounds unbothered.

“It’s never happening again,” I say firmly.

“That’s fine.”

“What do you mean, that’s fine?”

He puts down his phone and raises a brow. “Do you want it to happen again?”

“Of course not. I just want to make sure we’re on the same page. I only kissed you because I got caught up in my girlfriend role.”

“You don’t have to explain it. I’m on the same page.”

“So you were playing a part too?”

“No, I wanted to kiss you.”

That shuts me up.

Shane laughs. “Dixon. It was a kiss. You’re making a big deal out of it.”

“I’m not making any deal out of it.”

“Okay, good.”

“Great.”

“Excellent.”

“Brilliant.” He’s chuckling again. “Thank you, by the way.” He shifts his face back to the water. “I know you’re not my biggest fan, but you still came over and helped me out. I appreciate it.”

“You’re welcome. And I have the perfect way for you to repay me.”

He glances over suspiciously.

“Okay, picture this,” I start with a beaming smile.

“No.”

“Picture this. You and me. Gliding across the ballroom floor together in an elegant Viennese waltz.”

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