Page 180 of Unexpected Hero

I wouldn’t take it back even if I could. No takesie-backsie.

A raucous laugh bubbles out of me with that thought.My cheeks flame red with my embarrassing outburst.

James lifts his head from the pillow, shooting me a bemused look. His face is lit up with a dopey smile I’ve never seen him wear. I love it. I want to see him smile like that all the time. Every day.

He presses his lips to mine for a brief kiss. “What’s so funny, sugar bear?”

“It’s silly,” I reply, wishing I could crawl under the bed to hide.

Shifting off me, he positions himself beside me with his leg thrown over mine. “That’s probably why you’re laughing. Silly things tend to have that effect on you.” He props the side of his head on his palm. “What was making you laugh moments after you lost your virginity, Violet Anastasia Holt?”

My full name never sounded so beautiful.

“Wait a damn blastin’ second. How do you know my middle name?”

His smile slips. “You told me.”

“Did I? I don’t remember that.”

“Yeah. I’m sure you did.” His throat bobs. “Anyway, what made you laugh?”

I must have told him. ADHD strikes again, sucking my memories away. Oh well.

Beaming at him, still in my cocoon of satisfaction, I drag my fingers over his forearm, where he’s holding it across my chest. “You remember the day we met?”

“Of course.”

“Do you remember what you said when I tried to give you the money back?”

“Judging by the grin you’re wearing, it must have been something awkward. And that’s sort of my specialty.”

My grin blooms. “It was adorable.”

“What was it?”

“You said, ‘no takesie-backsie,’ which was the cutest damn thing a grown man has ever said to me.”

He rolls his eyes. “Ah, so it wasn’t awkward but idiotic and juvenile. Super. But why are you thinking about that now?”

My head flops back onto the pillow as a silent giggle pinches up my cheeks. “I was thinking that I’d given you my virginity, and it’s something I can’t get back. But I wouldn’t want it back, even if that were possible. Then I thought... no takesie-backsie. Hence the laugh.”

His smile widens, but he doesn’t laugh. Steadily, his expression grows serious.

Leaning close to me, he whispers directly in my ear. “Sugar bear, you’re never getting that back. I’m keeping it. And just so you know, I plan to keep all your other firsts too.”

Chapter 35

Clown makeup and camel toe

LETTIE

Sitting cross-legged on my bed, I tuck a pillow on my lap, cuddling it to my waist. “I’m video calling ya, girl. I got somethin’ very important to ask ya.”

I’m so freaking cranked on sexdorphins — sexy times endorphins — that my accent is flying its Southern flag as proud as Stella waves a rainbow flag in June.

She groans in jest. “Not sure why that requires a visual, but you never were all that bright. Bless your pea-pickin’ heart.”

While snort-laughing through a toothy grin, I tap on my camera and wait impatiently for her to do the same.As soon as my screen lights up with her image, she looks to be in bed. Her face is hidden behind her finger. You know which one.

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