Page 107 of It's Always Us

“Totally.” She yawns and rests her head against my shoulder.

“Maybe if no one picks me up, I’ll work with you. I can be your assistant.”

She laughs. “Let’s not get ahead of ourselves. Your little jealous streak works just fine.” She grins, and I want to kiss it right off her mouth.

“I’m not jealous. I stole your heart a long time ago. It’s been mine ever since. Always will be.”

Her arms slide around my back. “You’re so sure of yourself.”

“Baby, being tentative would’ve gotten me nowhere. You said it. When I see something I want, I play to win. With you, I played for keeps.”

A warm flush creeps up her cheeks, and we can’t get back to the hotel fast enough.

Clive gathers his stool while the guys praise Lex for not letting them die stranded on a sidewalk.

As we wait for our car, she slides her arms around my waist and rests her head on my chest. “You’re going to be fine, you know that, right?”

I frown, unsure of what she’s talking about.

She tips her chin up. “They’re coming . . . the teams. Everyone knows what you can do. They always have.”

I press my lips to her forehead, inhaling her and hoping she’s right.

______

ROB: **Picture attached of Lex on the tire, reaching under the hood of the party bus.**

ROB: I’m assuming this wasn’t intentional, but definitely a way to get peoples’ attention.

Chapter 31

LEX

I blink, hearing the soft tones of Mark’s voice. I blink again. My back is pressed up against his warm body.

“She told me what to do. All these men, standing around completely useless,” he whispers.

I frown, wondering what he’s talking about and who he’s talking to.

“That was definitely not that plan, but I’ll take it. Yeah. Ok.” He chuckles soft and low. “I’ll let her know.”

I roll over, stretching my arms over my head. My body is stiff like I laid in the same position the entire night.

I don’t even remember falling asleep. The car dropped us off at the hotel, and Mark ordered food while I changed into a shirt and shorts. The last thing I remember is eating and him teasing me for folding my pizza before taking a bite.

I haven’t slept well in weeks, but apparently, I didn’t even move last night. I groan, and the weight of Mark’s strong body moves over mine, making room for my belly.

He braces himself on his arm. “Good morning.”

I yawn, heat crawling up my body from my toes. “Hi.”

“I had to make sure you didn’t fall asleep with pizza in your mouth. I was scared you’d choke.”

I rub my forehead. “Sorry. I was so tired. I haven’t slept well for a while. I guess . . .”

He kisses my neck. “I like that you were able to sleep with me.”Me, too.His hand glides up my thigh to the hem of my shorts. His lips move over my cheek. “How come you haven’t been sleeping?”

His question comes out soft and curious,butI’m not sure I want to think about it when I’d much rather get lost in what he’s starting.

---