Page 134 of Bad Blood

“I will regret this in the morning, but I don’t care.”

She takes a step up and I grab her hand, stopping her.

She takes a full second to turn.

Maybe two.

Maybe three.

How can she look better with sopping wet hair falling into her face?

I close the distance between us and pull her into my arms. I stare at her. Her eyes are full of concern and excitement. I’m sure she’s aware of my intentions. While I have the guts to do it, I won’t let the idea of what could happen if Liam finds out interfere. What he doesn’t know won’t hurt him. I know I swore I wouldn’t, and this is exactly what he meant by me crossing lines, but she’s worth it. And I can ask for forgiveness later.

I brush a wet strand of hair from her face and push it behind her ear as I lean in.

Slowly.

Maybe too slowly.

I walk us back until she’s flush against the wall. Her chest rises with anticipation. I lift her off the ground as she wraps her legs around my waist. She takes the initiative, binds her hands around my neck, and pulls me closer, her mouth centimeters from mine. Her breath warms my lips.

“Fuck it.” Our mouths crash together as she laces her fingers through my hair.

“Dax,” she groans.

My name rolling off her tongue is my undoing. I lean against her, holding her up with the weight of my body, my hands skimming down the sides of her slim waist, when her phone vibrates between us.

She pulls away, wiping the back of her hand across her swollen lips. “Not like this, Dax.” She takes hold of one of my hands, stopping me. “Not like this.”

“You’re right.” I catch my breath, my heart pounding to escape from my chest. “We shouldn’t.”

What in the hell just happened?

She drops her legs from around my waist and checks her phone, ushering me toward the door. “Your cab’s here.”

It takes everything in me not to grab her and slam the door shut. Our eyes meet as she reaches for the handle. My fingers are itching to touch her, but I think better of it.

I brush my thumb across my lower lip, having to adjust myself as I join her at the front door and leave her with a wink. “Tease.”

38

Just the Tip

Brighton

Friday, June 9 th

6:21 p.m.

“Is that from your boyfriend?” Tara reaches for the napkin in my hand. “Can I see it?”

I crumple it in my palm and hold it out of her reach as she bounces on her toes to grab it. “Stop it. Are you in middle school?”

Her bottom lip juts out. “I was just curious, gah.”

“Sorry.” I bite my tongue. Her lack of awareness is an obvious reason to keep my distance. I’m not trying to be harsh, but I’ve never been one to err on the side of caution regarding other people’s feelings. But I have been working on it. “I didn’t mean that.”

“What’s it say?” Her smile returns, and she leaps at me, dragging me in for a side hug. I guess all is forgiven.

---